Frances Reid: 5 Best 'Days of Our Lives' Moments

By Michael Maloney Posted Feb 4th 2010 07:00PM

The 'Days of Our Lives' family is mourning the death of Frances Reid, who spent over 40 years playing Alice Horton on the daytime soap. That family includes loyal viewers, former cast-mates and colleagues.

"Frances was truly one of a kind," said 'Days' exec producer Ken Corday in a statement. "Her class cannot be matched and her shoes cannot be filled. We will miss her all the rest of our days."

Reid first appeared on 'Days' when it premiered Nov. 8, 1965. As the family matriarch, Alice didn't just pour coffee and listen to the woes of her children, grandchildren and, yes, great-grandchildren. Often, Alice got involved in the thick of the action, and would even break the law if it meant helping the course of true love run a little more smoothly. Here's a look back at five of Alice's most memorable, gutsy and emotional moments on the 'Days of Our Lives.'

1. In 1983, Alice helped Roman (who was falsely accused of murder) get out of jail so that he could clear his name. For Alice, it meant that it was time to make a tainted batch of her famous donuts. An imprisoned Roman naturally became ill and was taken to the hospital where he was able to make his escape.

2. When Alice realized that Hope was about to make the biggest mistake of her life by marrying the crooked politician, Larry Welch, she conspired to switch her granddaughter with a substitute bride so that Bo, Hope's true love, could take her away from the church and explain to her why they drifted apart. Larry was understandably shocked to see the bumbling Howie Hoffsteder under the veil. Later, Alice made no apologies to Tom for doing what she did.

3. Alice went overseas to the fictional country of -- wait for it -- Alamainland to help Jennifer pose as Katerina Von Leuschner. Alice's resilience kicked in after she suffered a stroke following a cave-in at Lawrence's villa in 1990. While other soaps were keeping its grandmothers domestic, 'Days' wisely kept Alice -- and Reid -- in the forefront.

4. In 1991, Alice learned that her marriage to her beloved Tom wasn't legal. Additional heartbreak followed when Alice sensed that Tom was rather nonchalant about the whole thing. Alice wanted a real wedding, however, and got her way and on October 17, 1991, when Tom and Alice made it legal for, as the song suggests, always.

Watch the Clip Here
5. Beginning in 2003, a serial killer made its way through Salem. Ratings soared as viewers watched beloved 'Days' veterans take their last breaths. Later, in a chilling sequence, saintly Marlena murdered the even more saintly Alice by suffocating her with her own donuts (Fortunately, the show later had a change of heart and Alice and the other fan-favorite victims were brought back to life.) By then, Reid was in her late-80's. If anything, that she was able to handle such chilling material proved what a true professional she was.

Tags: days of our lives, DaysOfOurLives, frances reid, FrancesReid

Comments

(176)

Thursday 04 February

By Becky

Vote down Vote up Report this

Gram will surely be missed. What a classy lady she was. I have been watching this show for over 40 years and Alice and Tom will always be my favorites. Now Alice is ib heaven with Tom. God bless you Francis. You will always be remembered.

Friday 05 February

By kimberly

It is so sad to think that such a talented and classy lady has left this world.

By Ronnie Sumter

I have watched Days of our Lives snce 1966. I was pg with my 42 year old daughter and so sick with morning sickness I could only work part of the time, so I got hooked. She was so right on as a Grandma, loved by all. Great lady. You have been missed.If she was still on the show she would straighten out this mess with Hope and Bo.

By Deborah

I am very sadden by the passing of Frances Reed. I have been watching days since the first showing of the story. I think I was in the 7th grade. She will be so greatly missed.

By Julie

R.I.P Alice, She will be missed so much.I really enjoyed watching her but she is with the angels now.May God send his peace to all her family during this sad time....

By sue

I AM SADDENED TO HEAR OF THIS GRAND LADY'S PASSING. HER GENERATION HAD A CLASS AND DIGNITY THAT IS MISSING TODAY. I ALWAYS ADMIRED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 'ALICE AND TOM' AND FELT THEY WERE ROLE MODELS FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF VIEWERS. SHE LIT UP THE SCRENE AND STOLE EVERY SCENE WITH HER GRACE AND BEAUTY. SHE HAD AN INNER GLOW THAT WARMED THE HEARTS OF HER FANS. MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO BOTH HER FAMILIES.

By chipducote

Gram will be missed. She definetly carried herself well through thick and thin.

By Marie

I was very saddened when Macdonald Carey passed away back in the 90's and now we have to deal with Frances Reid. She was DOOL and will be missed by many.

By Starlight

I'll surely miss Farnces Reid (Alice Horton). The show will never be the same without her. I'm 56 years old. I started watching the show when it debuted in 1965. For me, life without Alice Horton will almost be like having lost a member of my own family. She will be sorely missed.

By Melissa

I have watched Days for over 35 of my 50 years. Tom and Alice were like true grandparents to me. Tom's passing back several years ago was hard to watch because I knew that as the Hortons and Bradys were mourning Tom, the actors and actresses were also mouring the loss of McDonald Carey. It will be the same when Mrs H's death is written into the script... the tears will be real because they will be thinking of Frances. And I know I will shed some tears too, as they show the old clips of Tom and Alice.

Rest in Peace Frances... and goodbye Alice...

By dfc4385

In this day and age, when all the emphasis is on the young, Days of Our Lives kept Alice in the storyline. The opening lines are still recorded by "Tom Horton". I wish more programs would include older actors and actresses.

By Sarah

You are loved and will be in our hearts forever! Now, if Days can just bring back Deidre Hall!

By Brad

Goodbye Alice. Hope you and Tom are reunited in the hereafter. You were a class act.

By George

I started watching Days when I got out of the Army in 1965. Today my kids are hooked on it as well. Ms Reid was a one of a kind actress and lady. Condolences to her family.

By Denise

I am also a third generation DAYS fan and so sorry to hear of Francis Reid's death. Had a feeling she must not have been doing well since she wasn't on the Christmas episode this year. What a great and believable character she played! She will be very missed! God bless her and her family.

Saturday 06 February

By Karen

I am very sorry for the lost of Alice reid aka grandma horton I have been watching days for nearly 35 years when you heard about grandma in a mention I always carry a smile on my face she is why I watched days becouse not only did she do her job well she is a true artist in drama acting made to be beleiveable. Hollywood has truely lost a great STAR!!!!! god bless her family and my prayers are with them at this time of there lost and DAYS OF OUR LIVES LOST TOO.

By Lynne Pintado

Frances Reid/Alice Horton was one very classy lady. She put the heart and soul into her portrayal of Mrs. H. I know I have watched DOOL since I was a little girl with my grandmother and Mrs. H was on the scene then. I hope DOOL does a "Special Memorial" for Frances/Alice onscreen. She made acting look easy. I know she will be missed both onscreen and offscreen. She was incredible. My prayers go out to her family and friends. Frances Reid and Alice Horton, you will be missed by all.

By AKJG

She was the soul of DOOL. Her absence will be sorely missed.

By MARY

I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE SOAP SINCE I WAS6YRS.OLD STARTING WATCHING WITH MY GRANDMA. I'M KNOW 48. SHE WILL BE MISSED SHE WAS THE BEST..

By Lew M,Simon

Frances Reid was the best .I have been watching ,Days Of Our Lives since it started,when I was a kid. Frances was like my family.I looked forward each year to christmas time when Alice put the christmas ornaments with all the names on the tree. During the past few years the holidays have not been the same with out her. she will definelty be missed. I'm sure she must be a special Angel in Gods kingdom in heaven. An outstanding loving beautiful person. Lew M.Simon

Page 5 of 9