Natalie Desselle-Reid

Natalie Ann Desselle-Reid (July 12, 1967 – December 7, 2020) was an American actress who performed in several films, including B.A.P.S., Def Jam's How to Be a Player, and Cinderella, and the television series Built to Last, For Your Love, and Eve.

Natalie Desselle-Reid
Born	Natalie Ann Desselle (1967-07-12)July 12, 1967 Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S
Died	December 7, 2020(2020-12-07) (aged 53) Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1]
Education	Peabody Magnet High School Grambling State University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1988–2017
Known for	Mickey – B.A.P.S.
Spouse	Leonard Reid ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	3

Biography

Early life

Desselle-Reid was one of four children born to Thelma Lee (née Sherman; 1945^{[citation needed]}–1999) and Paul Desselle Jr.^[2][3][1] in Alexandria, Louisiana. Desselle-Reid attended Peabody Magnet High School, graduating in 1985.^[4] Desselle-Reid later attended Grambling State University.^[5][6]

Career

At Grambling, Desselle-Reid developed a deep interest in the theatre, and appeared in several productions during her time there. In 1997, she played evil step-sister Minerva in the Disney made-for-television movie Cinderella.^[7] Desselle-Reid starred in many films, including Madea's Big Happy Family, and guest starred in Family Matters. She was Janie Egins on Eve for three seasons.^[8] She is best known for her role as Mickey in B.A.P.S. and appeared in the 2017 series Ya Killin' Me.^[9]

Personal life

Desselle-Reid married Leonard Reid in 2003; they had three children.^[10]

Death

Desselle-Reid died due to colon cancer on December 7, 2020, at the age of 53.^[11] Numerous celebrities in the entertainment industry paid tribute to Desselle-Reid including Eve, Holly Robinson Peete, Issa Rae, and Madea's Big Happy Family co-stars Shannon Kane & Shad "Bow Wow" Moss.^[11] Desselle-Reid's B.A.P.S. co-star Halle Berry posted a tribute via Instagram saying "Natalie represented actual black women, not what black women are perceived to be. For that she was often underrated, passed over – deprived of the platform she truly deserved. But her light continues to shine through the people who grew up watching her, the people who knew her best and those of us who loved her. I'll love you forever my sweet friend."^[12][13]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
1996	Set It Off	Tanika		[14]
1997	B.A.P.S.	Mickey		[15]
1997	Def Jam's How to Be a Player	Jenny Jackson		[16]
2003	Sweet Hideaway	Tiffany
2004	Gas	Elizabeth		[16]
2009	Divas	Tamika
2010	Queen Victoria's Wedding	Queen Victoria Brooks	Short film
2011	Madea's Big Happy Family	Tammy		[14]
2011	Let Lorenzo	Tommy's Mom	Short film
2014	Zoe Gone	Delores Lafontaine

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
1996	Family Matters	Baby Girl	Episode: "My Big Brother"	[17]
1997	Built to Last	Tammy Watkins	Main role	[17]
1997	Cinderella	Minerva	Television film	[18]
1998	Getting Personal	Vanessa	Episode: "The Wedding Zinger"	[19]
2002	Yes, Dear	Cathy	Episode: "Kim's New Nanny"	[20]
2003	ER	Herself (as Natalie Desselle)	Episode: "A Boy Falling Out of the Sky"	[20]
2003–2006	Eve	Janie Egins	Main role, 66 episodes	[21]
2010	Freaknik: The Musical	Doela Man's Mom (voice)	Television film	[22]
2013	A Mother's Rage	Principal Davenport	Television film	[22]
2017	Ya Killin' Me	Ex Wife	Final role	[17]