'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 Pearlene

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I began watching Days with my mom that very first day and have continued watching it since. So many wonderful actors and actresses have died thru the years and are greatly missed. I always wanted a grandma like "Alice". She was a strong and graceful, beautiful, talented woman. After she began having the strokes in real life her role became less and less.
I will miss her. My heart and prayers to her family and friends.

Friday 05 February

By Debbie

Alice Horton, you will always be remembered in my heart. You remind me so much as my grandmom. Always listening and giving advice. May you rest in peace and some day we will see each other again! Will miss you dearly.

I am so sad to hear of Frances passing! She was a true gem! I have watched Days forever & continue to faithfully everyday! I have missed her even though they do mention her on the show! She will always be Alice or Gran!! Hope now that Tom & her are finally together forever! My Deepest Sympathy to her family! Debbie

By ladyinomaha

May God bless Frances. How wonderful that she lived to be 95 years old and to be an example of grace.

By Carol Rhodes

I am so sad to read the Francis Reid passed (Alice Horton) I feel like I lost my Gran! Rest in Peace. You were a wonderful addition to the show.

By JanetB

My mom put me and my sisters down for a nap in front of the tv everyday during DOOL. We napped with one eye open. We are now in our late 50's, snd still watching. Thank You Frances Reid for all the class you brought to the show, you will truly be missed by all of us. We Love You and your Doughnuts.

By ohmy

i thought it was marlana

By Sandra

I'm so sorry to hear that Ms.Reid has died. I watched her on DOOL since it first was on TV, I was 19 then. I am going to be 70! It was my favorite show. I taped it when I couldn't watch it. She was one of my favorite "ladies" on the set. God love you Francis, and hold you in HIs arms forever! Amen

By Dolores

Theres a new star in heaven tonight

By Layla

95 years old, but her death has not been determined yet??? DUH, she was 95. And all you stupid morons who are "heart broken", I hope to God you grieve over your own families like someone you've never met. Guaranteed you haven't thought about this woman in YEARS! Hope to God I live that long...she had a good, long haul!

By Starrry1018

You're an idiot. Those of us who are sad have watched the show for YEARS. I know I feel like she is a part of my own family. She was the grandmother I never knew. I just wish I would have had the chance to meet her as I did Dr. H.

Rest in Peace Mrs. H....you were a classy lady.

By DREY

Yes I am a male, and yes I watched Days when I was much younger, growing up with one TV, getting into when Bo kidnapped Hope when she was marrying Larry, anyways my point is Frances Reid was like everyones grandma and to hear of her passing makes me feel like I lost a family member I knew growing up, my condolences to her family and I would like to let them know how much she influenced people she would never get to meet. Gonna miss you Grandma Alice!

By Jim

Frances Reid, a lovely lady, and a wonderful actress: There should be more actresses such as she. God Bless.

By kim

d,you replied just as i thought.Yes, she was 95,and I am well aware of the lifespan of a man and a woman. Now that is out of the way, to everyone else here,her fans,I too hope they give her a proper tv memorial!I watched Days through my college days,til now.She was Class! The absolute defintion of the perfect grandma!She had true wisdom.We all will miss you!

By d

What a wonderful actress and lady she was. My grandmother, mother and I were all fans of the show early on. I remember in high school the world stopping for the half an hour (that's what it was way back then) so my grandma could "watch her story." We will miss you greatly ms reid! May God grant you great peace in his kingdom.

By Evelyn

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AND AS FOR YOU LAYLA..........WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CALLING US MORON'S. YES WE HAVE A HEART WHEN WE HEAR THAT SOMEONE HAS DIED WHETHER WE KNOW THEM OR NOT. THAT'S IS WHAT HAVING A HEART IS FOR. CARING AND HAVING FEELINGS WHICH I THINK YOU ARE LACKING. WHETHER YOUNG OR OLD WHEN SOMEONE DIES IS A VERY SAD THING TO GO THRU AND YES I WILL BE VERY BROKEN HEARTED WHEN ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBER LEAVES THIS WORLD. EVEN WHEN I READ OF SOMEONE WHETHER ITS OF NATURAL CAUSES OR A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IT IS A VERY HEART BROKEN THING FOR SOMEONE TO GO THRU. SO MAYBE YA NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR HEART. THEN YOU MIGHT KNOW WHAT BROKEN HEARTED REALLY MEANS. YOUR A VERY RUDE PERSON

Very sorry to hear this news. I'm sure there are wonderful donuts in heaven now.

By Ginge Hoffman

I grew up watching Days of Our Lives. I feel like I've lost my grandmother. Now she's re-united with Macdonald Carey.. Rest in peace Ms Reid.

By SUE

I AM SO SAD TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF ALICE HORTON, I NEVER KNEW HER BY ANY NAME OTHER THAN THAT. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING DAY'S SINCE I WAS 16 BACK IN 1965, I AM NOW 63, SHE WAS A WONDERFUL "LADY" AND PLAYED HER ROLL WITH GRACE. LIKE SOMONE SAID SHE WAS LIKE A SECOND MOM TO EVERYONE. I KNOW SHE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED AND I WANT TO SEND MY CONDOLANCES TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THIS WAS A GREAT "LADY" GOD BLESS HER AND BE WITH HER ON HER JOURNEY HOME. LOVE TO ALL THE STARS OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES. SHE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.

By June

How sad. She will truly be missed.I remember watching her When I was younger but I have not seen the show in a long time.
RIP Francis

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