Actress Alaina Reed Hall Passes
Glad to have met Mrs. Alaina Reed Hall. A brilliant actress. She was always around when I was a kid, even up until my adult years. Just a couple a years ago we talked about working on a project together. My sincere condolences to Mrs. Hall and her family. She was 63 and had been battling cancer for some time.
Born in Springfield, Ohio, Alaina Reed Hall began her career in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. She was among the original cast members in the 1974 off-Broadway production of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road. Reed Hall also appeared in productions of Hair, Chicago, and Eubie!
In 1976, Reed Hall won the role of Olivia on the children’s series Sesame Street. Her character was a photographer and kid sister of Gordon. In 1985, Reed co-starred on the sitcom 227, frequently traveling between New York (where Sesame Street is taped) and Los Angeles (where 227 was taped). Due to this frantic schedule, she left Sesame Street in 1988.
After 227 ended in 1990, Reed Hall appeared in guest roles on various television series including Herman’s Head and Blossom. She also provided the voice for the animated characters on Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? and Sonic the Hedgehog. In 1995, Reed Hall co-starred on the short-lived WB sitcom Cleghorne!, starring Ellen Cleghorne. The following year she appeared in the television film The Cherokee Kid. She has since had recurring roles on Ally McBeal, Any Day Now, and ER.
In addition to stage and television work, Reed Hall has also appeared in several films including Death Becomes Her (1992), opposite Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep, Cruel Intentions (1999), and the 2007 independent feature I’m Through with White Girls (The Inevitable Undoing of Jay Brooks).
I am deeply saddened to hear this….have not heard one word about it until I saw it here. I grew up with her as Olivia on Sesame Street and always felt like I knew her somehow. She was so talented and a beautiful Black woman.
Very sad news. I remember her well in “Eubie”.
A great, very talented woman.
I was shocked to hear about the passing of Alaina Reed Hall. Shavar, I want to thank you for posting this for all of us. It seems whenever many African-Americans pass away, our deaths do not make mainstream news with the exception of those who are liked and respected by the powers-that-be. Otherwise, many of our deaths are relegated to JET and other Black publications. Thank you very much, Shavar. You were the first to report this about a talented actress and singer. She will be forever missed!
thanks Shavar
I agree with Donald
[...] after reading the article on Stephanie and Chris, I couldn’t help but think about my recent blog post on my friend Alaina Reed Hall who recently succumbed to breast cancer. So now where am I? [...]
I just stumbled upon your website looking for something (forget what!). Anyway, I’m glad I did. I am enjoying reading about what you did with your life after being on sitcoms. Also I have found out about the passing of some of our great actors and actresses. So sad to hear about Gene Anthony Ray and now Alaina Reed. Please continue to keep us informed of what is going on in the world of Black actors and actresses as well as your faith based stories.
Thanks for your kind words Katie, I appreciate that.