---
name: "Della Reese"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/della-reese"
fi1m_id: "della-reese"
imdb_id: "nm0005343"
tmdb_id: 56950
wikidata_id: "Q238361"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "6 July 1931"
died: "19 November 2017"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 1
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 1
updated: "2026-10-05T01:57:08.084897+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Della Reese

## Identity

Della Reese

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/della-reese
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** della-reese
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005343
- **TMDB ID:** 56950
- **Wikidata ID:** Q238361
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Della_Reese, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238361, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005343/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/56950

Actor. Born 6 July 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Died 19 November 2017.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 6 July 1931, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- **Died:** 19 November 2017
- **Also known as:** Delloreese Patricia Early, Della Reese Lett
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Della_Reese, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238361, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005343/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/56950

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Dinosaur*](https://film.one/film/dinosaur.md) (52)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Della Reese was an American actress and singer. Born Delloreese Patricia Early in Detroit, Michigan, on 6 July 1931, she began performing as a gospel singer in her youth and toured with Mahalia Jackson as a teenager before forming her own group, the Meditation Singers.

Reese appeared in films including *Harlem Nights* (1989) and *Beauty Shop* (2005), and voiced Eema in the Disney animated film *Dinosaur* (2000). She was best known for playing Tess in the long-running CBS series *Touched by an Angel* (1994–2003). An ordained minister, she died in Los Angeles on 19 November 2017.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (1)

- *Dinosaur* (2000), Fi1m 52, as Eema (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/dinosaur.md)

## Complete filmography (57)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Signed, Sealed, Delivered* (2014), series, as Cora Brandt
- *Miracle at Gate 213* (2013), as Alma Peddington
- *Dear Secret Santa* (2013), as Linda
- *Meant to Be* (2012), as Mave
- *Christmas Angel* (2012), as Elsie Waybright
- *Me Again* (2011), as Muriel
- *Expecting Mary* (2010), as Doris Dorkus
- *Testimonies of Faith* (2007), Actor
- *If I Had Known I Was a Genius* (2007), as Nana
- *Beauty Shop* (2005), as Mrs. Towner
- *Donald McKayle: Heartbeats of a DanceMaker* (2004), as Narrator (voice)
- *That's So Raven* (2003), series, as Rhonnie Wilcox
- *The Moving of Sophia Myles* (2000), as Sophia Myles
- *Dinosaur* (2000), as Eema (voice) — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/dinosaur.md)
- *Anya's Bell* (1999), as Anya Herpick
- *Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years* (1999), as Martha Logan
- *The Secret Path* (1999), as Honey
- *Emma's Wish* (1998), as Mona Washburn
- *Touched by an Angel: A Christmas Miracle* (1998), as Tess
- *Miracle in the Woods* (1997), as Lilly Cooper
- *A Match Made in Heaven* (1997), as Katie Beale
- *Promised Land* (1996), series, as Tess
- *A Thin Line Between Love and Hate* (1996), as Ma Wright
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Blues Fairy (voice)
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Tess
- *The Distinguished Gentleman* (1992), as Elevator Operator (uncredited)
- *Picket Fences* (1992), series, as Naomi Grand
- *You Must Remember This* (1992), as Ella DuChamps (voice)
- *The Royal Family* (1991), series, as Victoria Royal
- *The Kid Who Loved Christmas* (1990), as Alicia Slater
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Receptionist
- *Harlem Nights* (1989), as Vera
- *The Gift of Amazing Grace* (1986), as Aunt Faith
- *Designing Women* (1986), series, as Mrs. Toussant
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Lucille Lake
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Mama Colton
- *Charlie & Co.* (1985), series, Actor
- *Crazy like a Fox* (1984), series, as Mrs. Flood, Nurse Flood
- *Night Court* (1984), series, as Aunt Ruth
- *The A-Team* (1983), series, as Mrs. Baracus
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Millie Washington
- *Nightmare in Badham County* (1976), as Sarah
- *Psychic Killer* (1975), as Mrs. Gibson
- *Welcome Back, Kotter* (1975), series, as Mrs. Jean Tremaine
- *Cop on the Beat* (1975), as Claudine
- *Police Woman* (1974), series, as Tina Thompson
- *Chico and the Man* (1974), series, as Della Rogers
- *Petrocelli* (1974), series, as Angela Damon
- *Twice in a Lifetime* (1974), as Flo
- *Daddy's Girl* (1973), as Diane
- *Police Story* (1973), series, as Claudine
- *Voyage of the Yes* (1973), as Opal Parker
- *McCloud* (1970), series, as Sgt. Gladys Harris
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Capt. Sykes
- *The Bold Ones: The New Doctors* (1969), series, as Grace Dayton
- *...& Beautiful* (1969), Actor
- *The Mod Squad* (1968), series, as Paula

## Gallery

- ![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Della Reese (Amerikaanse zangeres) op Schiphol Datum : 14 jun (1965)](https://film.one/media/person/5576564/gallery-086fe9ad646a.jpg) Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Della Reese (Amerikaanse zangeres) op Schiphol Datum : 14 jun (1965) — Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Aankomst_Della_Reese_%28Amerikaanse_zangeres%29_op_Schiphol%2C_Bestanddeelnr_917-8627.jpg/1280px-Aankomst_Della_Reese_%28Amerikaanse_zangeres%29_op_Schiphol%2C_Bestanddeelnr_917-8627.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Della Reese (Amerikaanse zangeres) op Schiphol Datum : 14 jun (1965)](https://film.one/media/person/5576564/gallery-e83fae1b1eaf.jpg) Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Della Reese (Amerikaanse zangeres) op Schiphol Datum : 14 jun (1965) — Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Aankomst_Della_Reese_%28Amerikaanse_zangeres%29_op_Schiphol%2C_Bestanddeelnr_917-8627_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Aankomst_Della_Reese_%28Amerikaanse_zangeres%29_op_Schiphol%2C_Bestanddeelnr_917-8627_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Della Reese (Amerikaanse zangeres) op Schiphol Datum : 14 jun (1965)](https://film.one/media/person/5576564/gallery-ad7342a089cb.jpg) Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst Della Reese (Amerikaanse zangeres) op Schiphol Datum : 14 jun (1965) — Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Aankomst_Della_Reese_%28Amerikaanse_zangeres%29_op_Schiphol%2C_Bestanddeelnr_917-8628.jpg/1280px-Aankomst_Della_Reese_%28Amerikaanse_zangeres%29_op_Schiphol%2C_Bestanddeelnr_917-8628.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Della Reese at a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Mark Brunett.](https://film.one/media/person/5576564/gallery-116b3f601741.jpg) Della Reese at a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Mark Brunett. — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/DellaReeseJuly09.jpg/1280px-DellaReeseJuly09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo of singer-actress Della Reese. (1961)](https://film.one/media/person/5576564/gallery-04d11fb40a33.jpg) Photo of singer-actress Della Reese. (1961) — General Artists Corporation-management/photographer-Maurice Seymour, New York., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Della_Reese_1961.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Wash D.C. Booksigning 1996 (2020)](https://film.one/media/person/5576564/gallery-37d97d5c0ccc.jpg) Wash D.C. Booksigning 1996 (2020) — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Della_Reese_1996.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 7 won

- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 2002: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 2001: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 2000: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 1999: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 1998: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 1997: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series 1996: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Touched by an Angel*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/della-reese