Della Reese

Della Reese

Deceased · Born: Jul 6, 1931 · Died: Nov 19, 2017

Personal Details

BornJul 6, 1931 Detroit, Michigan, USA
Spouse
  • Franklin Lett

    ( Jan 12, 1983 to Nov 19, 2017 )
  • Leroy Gray

    ( Dec 28, 1959 to Dec 31, 1969 )
  • Vermont Taliaferro

    ( Jul 1, 1951 to Dec 31, 1969 )
Parents
  • Richard Thaddeus Early
  • Nellie Mitchelle

Biography

Detroit-born Della's melodious journey began at the tender age of six, as she started singing in her hometown. As a teenager, she had the esteemed privilege of touring with the legendary gospel great Mahalia Jackson. This remarkable experience not only honed her skills but also instilled in her a deep passion for the genre. At the age of 18, Della took the bold step of forming the Meditation Singers, thus becoming the trailblazing first performer to bring gospel music to the vibrant casinos of Las Vegas.

Her impressive career continued to flourish as she became a vocalist with the renowned Erskine Hawkins Orchestra. As her talents continued to grow, she began making her own records, showcasing her unique voice and style to the world. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to gospel music, Della was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel music in 1987.

Della's personal life was just as fulfilling, as she lived in Los Angeles with her loving husband, producer Franklin Lett. Together, they shared a life filled with music, love, and joy.

Career

{"id":1905,"title":"Signed, Sealed, Delivered","year":2014,"character":"Cora Brandt","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/signed-sealed-delivered","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_1905.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_1905.jpg"},"released":1}
2014
{"id":16249,"title":"Christmas Angel","year":"2013","character":"Elsie Waybright","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/christmas-angel-2012","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_16249.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_16249.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
Christmas Angel
Christmas Angel as Elsie Waybright
{"id":12255,"title":"Dear Secret Santa","year":"2013","character":"Linda","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dear-secret-santa","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_12255.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_12255.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":40703,"title":"Meant to Be","year":"2012","character":"Mave","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/meant-to-be-2012","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_40703.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_40703.jpg"},"released":1}
2012
{"id":15685,"title":"Me Again","year":"2011","character":"Muriel","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/me-again","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_15685.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_15685.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
Me Again
Me Again as Muriel
{"id":43597,"title":"Expecting Mary","year":"2010","character":"Doris Dorkus","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/expecting-mary","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_43597.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_43597.jpg"},"released":1}
2010
Expecting Mary
Expecting Mary as Doris Dorkus
{"id":150234,"title":"Miss HIV","year":"2007","character":"Narrator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/miss-hiv","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_150234.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_150234.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
Miss HIV
Miss HIV as Narrator
{"id":48245,"title":"If I Had Known I Was a Genius","year":"2007","character":"Nana","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/if-i-had-known-i-was-a-genius","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_48245.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_48245.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":2675,"title":"Beauty Shop","year":"2005","character":"Mrs. Towner","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/beauty-shop","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/42p96lg615p0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/42p96lg615p0.jpg"},"released":1}
2005
Beauty Shop
Beauty Shop as Mrs. Towner
{"id":4125,"title":"Dinosaur","year":"2000","character":"Eema (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dinosaur","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/33jadt0587cg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/33jadt0587cg.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
Dinosaur
Dinosaur as Eema (voice)
{"id":126467,"title":"The Moving of Sophia Myles","year":"2000","character":"Sophia Myles","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-moving-of-sophia-myles","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_126467.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_126467.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":55034,"title":"The Secret Path","year":"1999","character":"Honey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-secret-path","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_55034.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_55034.jpg"},"released":1}
1999
{"id":55331,"title":"Anya's Bell","year":"1999","character":"Anya Herpick","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/anyas-bell-1999","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_55331.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_55331.jpg"},"released":1}
Anya's Bell
Anya's Bell as Anya Herpick
{"id":155764,"title":"Journey to a Hate Free Millennium","year":"1999","character":"Narrator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/journey-to-a-hate-free-millennium","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_155764.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_155764.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":92962,"title":"Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years","year":"1999","character":"Martha Logan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/having-our-say-the-delany-sisters-first-100-years-1999","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_92962.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_92962.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":156212,"title":"Touched by an Angel","year":"1998","character":"Tess","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/touched-by-an-angel","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_156212.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_156212.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
{"id":133785,"title":"Emma's Wish","year":"1998","character":"Mona Washburn","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/emmas-wish-1998","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_133785.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_133785.jpg"},"released":1}
Emma's Wish
Emma's Wish as Mona Washburn
{"id":24951,"title":"Miracle in the Woods","year":"1997","character":"Lilly Cooper","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/miracle-in-the-woods","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_24951.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_24951.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
Miracle in the Woods
Miracle in the Woods as Lilly Cooper
{"id":56652,"title":"A Match Made in Heaven","year":"1997","character":"Katie Beale","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-match-made-in-heaven","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_56652.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_56652.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":3111,"title":"Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child","year":1997,"character":"Blues Fairy (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/happily-ever-after-fairy-tales-for-every-child","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_3111.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_3111.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":6248,"title":"A Thin Line Between Love and Hate","year":"1996","character":"Ma Wright","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-thin-line-between-love-and-hate","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6248.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6248.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
{"id":792,"title":"Touched by an Angel","year":1994,"character":"Tess","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/touched-by-an-angel","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_792.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_792.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":4916,"title":"The Distinguished Gentleman","year":"1992","character":"Elevator Operator (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-distinguished-gentleman","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_4916.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_4916.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
The Distinguished Gentleman
The Distinguished Gentleman as Elevator Operator (uncredited)
{"id":103839463,"title":"The Royal Family","year":1991,"character":"Victoria Royal","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-royal-family","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103839463.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103839463.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
The Royal Family
The Royal Family as Victoria Royal
{"id":806,"title":"MacGyver","year":1991,"character":"Mama Colton","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/macgyver-1985","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/64tsjdv5ggd0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/64tsjdv5ggd0.jpg"},"released":1}
MacGyver
MacGyver as Mama Colton
{"id":32671,"title":"The Kid Who Loved Christmas","year":"1990","character":"Alicia Slater","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-kid-who-loved-christmas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32671.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32671.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
{"id":5993,"title":"Harlem Nights","year":"1989","character":"Vera","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/harlem-nights","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_5993.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_5993.jpg"},"released":1}
1989
{"id":1059,"title":"The A-Team","year":1985,"character":"Mrs. Baracus","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-a-team","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3vagln6i63b0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3vagln6i63b0.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
The A-Team
The A-Team as Mrs. Baracus
{"id":9953,"title":"Crazy Like a Fox","year":1984,"character":"Mrs. Flood","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/crazy-like-a-fox","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_9953.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_9953.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Crazy Like a Fox
Crazy Like a Fox as Mrs. Flood
{"id":10101,"title":"Roots: The Next Generations","year":1979,"character":"Mrs. Lydia Branch","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/roots-the-next-generations","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/mu38h2qkpsk0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/mu38h2qkpsk0.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
Roots: The Next Generations
Roots: The Next Generations as Mrs. Lydia Branch
{"id":86113,"title":"Nightmare in Badham County","year":"1976","character":"Sarah","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/nightmare-in-badham-county","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/42k87tqji7m0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/42k87tqji7m0.jpg"},"released":1}
1976
{"id":86230,"title":"Psychic Killer","year":"1975","character":"Mrs. Gibson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/psychic-killer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_86230.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_86230.jpg"},"released":1}
1975
Psychic Killer
Psychic Killer as Mrs. Gibson
{"id":10227,"title":"Chico and the Man","year":1974,"character":"Della Rogers","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/chico-and-the-man","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_10227.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_10227.jpg"},"released":1}
1974
Chico and the Man
Chico and the Man as Della Rogers
{"id":165066,"title":"Voyage of the Yes","year":"1973","character":"Opal Parker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/voyage-of-the-yes","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_165066.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_165066.jpg"},"released":1}
1973
Voyage of the Yes
Voyage of the Yes as Opal Parker
{"id":96364,"title":"Let's Rock","year":"1958","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/lets-rock-1958","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96364.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96364.jpg"},"released":1}
1958