Alaina Reed Hall Dies at 63 (1946-2009) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 12-20-2009, 03:02 PM

link

Information is still developing, but Alaina Reed Hall passed away on December 17 at the age of sixty-three. The cause of her death has not yet been officially reported but the actress, best known for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Olivia on Sesame Street, has been very public about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. She participated in the documentary “Breast Cancer Examined: An African-American Perspective,” to commemorate 2009 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and share her courageous approach to fighting the disease.

Born Bernice Ruth Reed in Ohio, Alaina Reed began her career in early 70s theater, appearing in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as Chicago, Hair, and Eubie. In 1976 she landed the role of Sesame Street’s Olivia. From then until 1988 Reed presented children with one of the earliest depictions of positive black womanhood, demonstrated the warmth of adult sibling relationships with her brother Gordon, and straight up taught us letters and how to count. In 1985 Reed joined the original cast of 227 as Rose Lee, one of my favorite black sitcom characters ever. Rose was sassy but sensitive, responsible but mischievous, and always good for showcasing Reed’s excellent singing voice through some wacky plot device like a church choir solo or random sing-off that would somehow keep everyone in the building from being evicted.

Kevin Peter Hall (the 7′2″ actor who portrayed Harry in Harry and The Hendersons and Predator in the movies of the same name) guest starred as Rose’s love interest on 227 and in 1988 the two began a real-life relationship, marrying both on the show and in real life. Sadly, he passed away in 1991 from complications of AIDS contracted through a blood transfusion. 227 was canceled that same year but the now Alaina Reed Hall continued to act until her death, steadily appearing on sitcoms such as A Different World, Friends, Ally McBeal, and making the best of a recurring role on the short-lived series Cleghorne. She also returned to her theater roots with a one-woman show, “Alaina at the Bijou.”

catlover79 · 12-20-2009, 03:32 PM

Awwwww...I loved her from both Sesame Street and 227.

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-20-2009, 04:10 PM

RIP

Brian Damage · 12-20-2009, 05:39 PM

70s show watcher · 12-20-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Awwwww...I loved her from both Sesame Street and 227.

me too

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-20-2009, 06:55 PM

She will be missed

Jude The Obscure · 12-20-2009, 07:10 PM

wow-- 2009 is just one sad year

Adamantium · 12-20-2009, 08:48 PM

This is my response from Facebook:

"When I was a kid, Olivia was my favorite of the people in Sesame Street. My aunt actually knew her from school. And one day, after she was off Sesame Street, she visited my aunt. I found out about this and asked my aunt why she didn't tell me. She said she figured I wouldn't care. So I didn't get to meet her.

I was always hoping she'd come back to visit my aunt again so I could meet her and tell her how much I loved her on Sesame Street. Now I'll never get that chance.

Plus I loved her on 227 and she did a guest spot on my favorite show, NewsRadio.

First Mr. Hooper, then David, and now Olivia. This is very sad."

Pitooey · 12-20-2009, 09:09 PM

OMGoodness............

First Brittany Murphy now Alaina Hall.

Chocoholic · 12-20-2009, 09:36 PM

How sad. I loved her on Sesame Street. Was she still on the show? I also remember watching 227 as a kid. Funny show. I haven't seen it in years.

Mr. Television · 12-20-2009, 09:44 PM

How very sad. I always liked her. R.I.P. Alaina.

catlover79 · 12-20-2009, 10:26 PM

Again they came in threes:

Jennifer Jones

Alaina Reed-Hall

Brittany Murphy

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-20-2009, 11:20 PM

Miss Reed Family is in my Prayers at this time of need.

James"Thunder"Early · 12-21-2009, 12:25 AM

This day is just too sad for me, first Brittany Murphy and now Alaina Reed Hall.

catlover79 · 12-21-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocoholic

How sad. I loved her on Sesame Street. Was she still on the show? I also remember watching 227 as a kid. Funny show. I haven't seen it in years.

She left Sesame Street around the time that 227 began. As far as I know, she never went back to SS.

12-20-2009, 03:02 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Alaina Reed Hall Dies at 63 (1946-2009) link Information is still developing, but Alaina Reed Hall passed away on December 17 at the age of sixty-three. The cause of her death has not yet been officially reported but the actress, best known for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Olivia on Sesame Street, has been very public about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. She participated in the documentary “Breast Cancer Examined: An African-American Perspective,” to commemorate 2009 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and share her courageous approach to fighting the disease. Born Bernice Ruth Reed in Ohio, Alaina Reed began her career in early 70s theater, appearing in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as Chicago, Hair, and Eubie. In 1976 she landed the role of Sesame Street’s Olivia. From then until 1988 Reed presented children with one of the earliest depictions of positive black womanhood, demonstrated the warmth of adult sibling relationships with her brother Gordon, and straight up taught us letters and how to count. In 1985 Reed joined the original cast of 227 as Rose Lee, one of my favorite black sitcom characters ever. Rose was sassy but sensitive, responsible but mischievous, and always good for showcasing Reed’s excellent singing voice through some wacky plot device like a church choir solo or random sing-off that would somehow keep everyone in the building from being evicted. Kevin Peter Hall (the 7′2″ actor who portrayed Harry in Harry and The Hendersons and Predator in the movies of the same name) guest starred as Rose’s love interest on 227 and in 1988 the two began a real-life relationship, marrying both on the show and in real life. Sadly, he passed away in 1991 from complications of AIDS contracted through a blood transfusion. 227 was canceled that same year but the now Alaina Reed Hall continued to act until her death, steadily appearing on sitcoms such as A Different World, Friends, Ally McBeal, and making the best of a recurring role on the short-lived series Cleghorne. She also returned to her theater roots with a one-woman show, “Alaina at the Bijou.”
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12-20-2009, 03:32 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Awwwww...I loved her from both Sesame Street and 227.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-20-2009, 04:10 PM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	RIP
	__________________ Who Dat

12-20-2009, 05:39 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Attached Images
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12-20-2009, 09:09 PM	#9
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	OMGoodness............ First Brittany Murphy now Alaina Hall.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

12-20-2009, 06:55 PM	#6
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	She will be missed

12-20-2009, 07:10 PM	#7
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	wow-- 2009 is just one sad year

12-20-2009, 08:48 PM	#8
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,817	This is my response from Facebook: "When I was a kid, Olivia was my favorite of the people in Sesame Street. My aunt actually knew her from school. And one day, after she was off Sesame Street, she visited my aunt. I found out about this and asked my aunt why she didn't tell me. She said she figured I wouldn't care. So I didn't get to meet her. I was always hoping she'd come back to visit my aunt again so I could meet her and tell her how much I loved her on Sesame Street. Now I'll never get that chance. Plus I loved her on 227 and she did a guest spot on my favorite show, NewsRadio. First Mr. Hooper, then David, and now Olivia. This is very sad."

12-20-2009, 09:36 PM	#10
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	How sad. I loved her on Sesame Street. Was she still on the show? I also remember watching 227 as a kid. Funny show. I haven't seen it in years.

12-20-2009, 09:44 PM	#11
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	How very sad. I always liked her. R.I.P. Alaina.
	__________________ Sonny

12-20-2009, 10:26 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Again they came in threes: Jennifer Jones Alaina Reed-Hall Brittany Murphy

12-20-2009, 11:20 PM	#13
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Miss Reed Family is in my Prayers at this time of need.

12-21-2009, 12:25 AM	#14
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,087	This day is just too sad for me, first Brittany Murphy and now Alaina Reed Hall.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.