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'BAPS' star Natalie Desselle-Reid dies at age 53: Here's the cause of death

One of her most significant performances has been in ‘B*A*P*S’, directed by Robert Townsend, where she and Halle Berry portrayed waitresses in a soul food diner in Georgia

Actress Natalie Desselle-Reid, who appeared in movies such as ‘B*A*P*S’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘Cinderella’, and ‘Madea’s Big Happy Family’ died on Monday, December 7 at the age of 53. Actor Holly Robinson Peete first shared the devastating news. “Just absolutely decimated by this news,” Peete wrote on Twitter. “Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her.” She further wrote, “She will be so missed...sending out prayers to her children and husband. Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl.”

How did Desselle-Reid die?

A family member of Desselle-Reid told TMZ that the actor died of colon cancer after having been diagnosed earlier this year. She was reportedly in hospice care in her final days and was surrounded by family when she went.

An official statement reads, "It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning from colon cancer. She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife. Her diverse career touched so many and she will be loved forever. Naturally, we are grieving and processing this profound loss and we thank you in advance for respecting our privacy at this extremely difficult time.”

Je’Caryous Johnson, CEO of Je’Caryous Entertainment, which had been planning a stage adaption of ‘B*A*P*S’, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness and heavy, heavy hearts that Je’Caryous Johnson and the entire Je’Caryous Entertainment family mourns the passing of one of our own, our sweet, unforgettable actress/comedian Natalie Desselle Reid… Immediately upon meeting and working with her, we fell in love with her undeniably witty, always giving and caring, and hilariously show-stopping personality. The world has truly lost one of its most angelic souls here on Earth."

"To know Natalie," the statement added, "was to know someone who cared for and cultivated her craft to the tee. There will never be another woman like her who so effortlessly lit up the screen, as well as any room she walked into.” He added that the company’s “family” would “celebrate the life and legacy she so fearlessly and honorably lived,” adding, “We will always love you, Natalie!”

Desselle-Reid’s sparkling career

Desselle-Reid was born on July 12, 1967, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Thelma and Paul Desselle. She attended Grambling State University. One of her most significant performances has been in ‘B*A*P*S’, directed by Robert Townsend, where she and Halle Berry portrayed waitresses in a soul food diner in Georgia who wind up caring for a Beverly Hills millionaire and living large. Desselle-Reid’s memorable performance of Mickey in the film has received praise. 

Her other notable performance was on the UPN American sitcom called ‘Eve', where she played the eponymous Eve’s friend Janie Egins on 66 episodes over all three seasons (2003-06). Desselle-Reid also appeared on the big screen in Tyler Perry's ‘Madea's Big Happy Family’, F. Gary Gray's ‘Set It Off’, and ‘Def Jam's 'How to Be a Player’.

She also starred in ‘Built to Last’, an NBC sitcom that aired in 1997. She also played the evil stepsister Minerva in the musical fantasy television film, ‘Cinderella’, produced by Walt Disney Television, directed by Robert Iscove and written by Robert L. Freedman.

Desselle-Reid is survived by her husband, Leonard, and her children, Sereno, Summer, and Sasha.