'Days of Our Lives' Legend Frances Reid Dead at 95

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 4th 2010 01:07PM

The soap opera world lost another great yesterday. PEOPLE is reporting that Frances Reid of 'Days of Our Lives' died Wednesday at the age of 95, with the cause of death yet to be made official.

Already, a number of Reid's co-stars have expressed their sympathy on Twitter. "Greg Meng called me this morning to tell me of the loss of our darling Frances Reid. She was loved, revered, and will be remembered," said Deidre Hall, who played Marlena Evans on the long-running series until last year.

"I'm so sad to hear the news about Frances Reid," said Alison Sweeney. "She was a truly talented actress and we are all lucky and proud to have known her."

Reid -- whose last appearance on the show aired in 2007 -- first joined the cast of 'Days of Our Lives' when the show debuted on Nov. 8, 1965. From then on, she portrayed the role of matriarch Alice Horton, a role that earned her Daytime Emmy nominations in 1979 and 1987. Reid was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

Reid's acting career dates back to 1938 with a tiny role in the film 'Man-Proof.' The following year, she made her Broadway debut in 'Where There's a Will,' before joining the radio soap opera 'Portia Faces of Life' in 1954. Though best remembered for 'Days,' Reid made additional appearances on 'As the World Turns' and 'The Edge of Night.'

Hailing from Wichita Falls, Texas, Reid was married to actor Philip Bourneuf, who died in 1979, for over 30 years.

Last week, soap opera fans also mourned the death of 'All My Children''s James Mitchell, who died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at age 89.

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

Comments

(83)

Thursday 04 February

By Bob

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Oh my, I sure wish Bo and Dope get back together in time for the funeral! Rolph is hiding them in a secret room, and Stiffano needs some more Viagra. It's too bad Marlena was booted off, as she would have prospered under Obamacare!

By dimanjude

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Bob, you sound like person trying to be COOL, well buddy you have FAILED. You sound like an ASS!

By Christine

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I always wished i was sitting in her kitchen eating one of her homemade doughnuts....Bless you Alice you brought my mom and me many Great memories...

By christoph2lo

may she know that she will be loved and missed by many of us.

By sir john

please 95 is way longer than most people live - i hope when she reaches heaven she doesnt remain 95 - my wife tells me we will be going back to the age of 33 - actually i looked hotter in my 20s

By kgior75563

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YES, VERY SAD, WHAT A GREAT ACTRESS....NBC BETTER HONOR HER ON "DAYS" OR I WILL STOP WATCHING!

By Kim

A fan since 1978, you couldn't help but love Tom and Alice. They taught lessons on life and how to laugh, (even if it was a soap!), and now they are together again. God Blessed us to have such a wonderful couple to be our role models, and now he has his angels back with him. Blessings out to her family and her tv family. And I agree with Donna, may the show do a wonderful memorial to such a wonderful actress!

By Jessica

Rest in Peace!! Days of Our Lives, you helped to make that show!! prayers and condolences to all the fam, friends!!

By Linda

Very sad. Frances Reid was great as Alice Horton. I've been watching Days since the 60s and I will miss her. Even though she hasnt been seen on the show for a couple years I always knew she was in that nice little house waiting for her family.

By sunny

She was an icon and will be missed.
DOOL will never be the same.

By Robert

Rest in peace you "great" lady!

Friday 05 February

By Bonbon

As an avid Days watcher for over 40 years, although we didn't see her on the show anymore, let me say that she will be missed immensely by her loving fans. All I can add is, thank you, Mrs. H., for all the wonderful years of enjoyment you've given us and I know that heaven will love your donuts just as much as your Salem family did. Rest in peace lovely lady.

By Toots

I grew up watch "Days" with my mom and grandma. She and Dr. Horton (McDonald Carey, I believe) were the steadfast leaders and guidance for the storyline and fictional town. All the good ol' timers from the long running soaps are dying. Rather sad.

By Mary

I am very sadly I love her so much Since 1983 I always love to watch on TV " DOOL " all the time I cannot miss it I never forget about her and She is so sweet and good health for long time My heart break that She did doing good She is peacefully and rest now Prayer the family and friend too !!!!! :-)

By sharon

It is like losing a grandmother and she WILL be missed by all that watched the show.

By Christina

It's not a shock, it is a shame. That is what I think is being conveyed more than anything.

By Darlene

R.I.P. Mrs. H

By Kevin

From the day I was brought home from the hospital as a baby DOOL was on every week day. I remember falling a sleep to the closing theam after the show. Sometimes if I hear I tend to nod off, Francis Reed was what I thought to be the perfect grandmother .. well next to my real grandmother. I know Days will never be the same without her. She will be sadly missed.

By Angiebaby

Gosh, decades ago when I watched "Days of Our Lives", it wasn't Christmas until Grandma & Grandpa Horton had everyone at their house and each one hung ornaments with their names on them on the Christmas tree. And after Macdonald Carey (Grandpa Horton) passed, Francis Reid, as Grandma, continued the annual tradition. While the tradition is still carried on... it just isn't the same.

It's interesting to think back many years and remember the characters and some of the story lines. Marlena had an identical twin sister. Maggie was a crippled farm girl. Julie was a pain in everybody's ass. Beau placed a pebble under Hope's mattress... and she found it, as in "a real princess would feel the pea under her mattress".

Frances Reid, forever remembered as Alice Grayson Horton. Rest in Peace, Ms. Reid.

By Karen R.

I am deeply saddened with the loss of " Alice Horton " Frances Reid. I ahve watched Days without fail from the very first episode and have grown, aged, learned, along with so many others. Alice and Tom were perfect role models for anyone who watched them. They both shall now be together once more in the Everafter along with Mickey, Bill and others from the show. But most importantly with their family members who have gone before them. Our condolences and prayers for the entire Family. Frances will be missed by all.

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