'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 Amy

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I'm so sad to hear of her passing! I feel like I lost a grandma who I grew up with! I have watched Day's since I was six years old I'm now 33. i will miss her and her famous Doughnuts! rest in peace Mrs. H.

By Leslie Trott

Sorry to hear Mrs. Reid Died. My Grandmother watched days of our live since the beginning. she passed in dec. I love to watch Mrs. Reid play the part of Mrs. Horton.

By Frances Kennedy

She will be sadly missed. It's like losing my grandmaw again. I have watched Days all of my life, my Mom and Grandmaw watched before I was born and that is how I got started.

By suz

i've been watching days for over 30 yrs, she was classy. but, what an odd thing, the show just had a funeral for her son. eerie..............

By Michelle

Not a fan anymore, but Frances was wonderful in the 80's during the origins of the Bo and Hope storyline. She must have been 70 years old when they went on location in New Orleans. Loved her, she was fantastic. It's strange as I've been reading what is going on these days on DAYS (Deidre and Drake gone, destruction of Bo and Hope, etc), and it appears as though it would be absolutely unwatchable. It almost seems like the end of a era...literally. Time to put DAYS to pasture.

By Linda

It is very sad when anyone dies...whether they are 5, 95 or 105...doesn't matter. Even when they are in heaven, they are missed here on earth.

By Betty

I was really shocked to hear about Francis Reid's death. I have watched DOOL's ever since it aired in 1965. My mom and I watched Day's every day. I just wish they could have showed Alice during their Christmas show. I know she was'nt well but at least we could have seen the lady we all loved one last time. Alice you go and be with Tom the love of your life. You will be missed. R.I.P. Alice Horton

By SuSan

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jeff- she had a career and money because she W-O-R-K-E-D.

Tuesday 09 February

By Patty

I was sorry to here about Frances Reid. I have watched Days of our Lives since 1965.She will be missed.She was a great actress.

By Elaine

I'm sorry too hear Frances Reid as past. Day isn't going 2 be the same.I started watching Day with my mother about 26 years ,I had a bad feeling when we didn't see her any more I'm going 2 miss Frances Reid in all the DAY OF our lives goodbye. Frances Reid you are in a better place........

By Cari

Frances Reid "Alice Horton" will greatly be missed. I have watched Days of Our Lives for such a long time, I am a big fan of the show. I remember watching the show when her on screen husband MacDonald Carey "Tom Horton" died. I was saddend then too. I have missed seeing Ms. Reid perform on the show over the last couple of years, she was a real trooper, and a great actress.
I am hoping DOOL will give her a proper memorial on the show with all the cast members from throughout the years stopping by to say goodbye to the matriarch of the Horton family.
My thought and prayers will be with her family and the show.

By byteme520

Frances Reid was a beautiful woman and a wonderful actress. I have watched Days of Our Lives for almost 40 years. She projected such a love & warmth into her character Alice, that we all felt as viewers. I had missed her on Days.....she was the core of the show! My condolences to her family & friends.

By Beverly Blaswich

What a remarkable woman, and a mother, grandmother to all who watched. I have been falling and watching this show since it first appeared in 1965. I was 15 years old, and soon became a part of the many people who watched. It was a ritual to sit down, be quiet it and watch Alice Horton, and famous donuts, relate to many. She brought love into all who watched, and joy to those lived in homes like hers. My sympathy goes out to her family, friends, and all who knew this wonderful lady. She will be greatly missed and the love will continue for all the Days of my and Our Lives. God Bless this wonderful lady and actress, she was one of a kind.

By Sharon

God Bless you, "Mrs. H"....the memories you gave me and my Grandmother from day one, although I was 14, in school, and had to rely on "Ma-Maw" to keep me up to date, and all the summers we got to watch together will always live in my heart. I still watch Days whether having the luxury of taping it or watching which we didn't have in 1965 will be always be a part of multitudes of her fans....enjoy your final journey because I know you had many, many others waiting for your arrival...the angels are singing today while our hearts are a little heavy. We should all be so lucky to have such a graceful, dignified life as Mrs. H...You will be a part of so many all the days of our lives in special ways. Sincere sympathy to her family and the cast of Days

Friday 05 February

By Alwayworking

Frances Reid (Alice Horton) was not just a beautiful Actress she was also a beauitful women. Frances was a family member but given today most wouldn't even know how this women had touch many heart in the real world. I am so very sadden by her lost, however I am honor if only by 'TV' that she was like a GrandMother to me during a time when 'TV' had something to tell. I will miss her and my deepest sympathy go out to her family. I am so very sorry for your lost, she indeed was beautifu in every since of the word.

Hi, David

It's not about dieing at any age. It's about who and what you meant to other's. Sure she lived to be 95 and God Bless her as well as other's. It's about what she meant to those who had watch her over the years as it would be to family and friends if God or who ever is your lord decided that it6 is now time to call you home. What would you like or prefer other to address you as? I think it's something to think about, may your lord bless you and have a good life.

By DOOL FAN-ATIC

I am giving away my age, but state this with pride--I have watched Days of our Lives from its premiere episode on November 8, 1965 and have never stopped. I was an 11th grader when it began. If I could only watch one program on television, this would be it. Frances Reid is a huge reason for the show's success. Alice Horton (and Tom Horton) were the starting points for every storyline. I will never ever forget all her wonderful performances on the show, and how wonderful she made me feel. I had two wonderful grandmothers, but she felt like a third. She touched you so much, you just felt like you knew her and that she was part of your family!! Rest in peace, "Mrs. H" and Frances. I love you and always will. I won't ever forget you...

By MARTIE

The Grand Lady of Days..Alice Horton You will be missed you are much loved by alol the Days watchers and your Days family.
Rest in peace. Martha Truax New York

By Maxine

I have been a loyal fan of Days of Our Lives for many years and am very sad at the passing of Frances Reid. She was the backbone of the Horton/Brady family and a great asset to the show. She will be dearly missed. My deepest sympathy to her family and the cast and crew of Days.

Wednesday 10 February

By Dorothy

Rest in peace! I have been watching days since I was 14 and I'm now 37 so that's 23 years she/you were a part of my life. Thanks to her I want to learn to make fresh doughnuts and now I definetely will. lol. What a loss to the show and the world. My condolences to her family and her fellow actors from Days. You will be missed!! xoxoxo

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