| Natalie Desselle-Reid | |
| Birth Name: | Natalie Ann Desselle |
| Birth Date: | 12 July 1967 |
| Birth Place: | Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years Active: | 1988–2017 |
| Known For: | Mickey – B.A.P.S. |
| Children: | 3 |
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.
Desselle-Reid was one of four children born to Thelma Lee (née Sherman; 1945–1999) and Paul Desselle Jr.[1] [2] [3] in Alexandria, Louisiana. Desselle-Reid attended Peabody Magnet High School, graduating in 1985.[4] Desselle-Reid later attended Grambling State University.[5] [6]
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]
Desselle-Reid married Leonard Reid in 2003; they had three children.[10]
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, Shannon Kane and Madea's Big Happy Family co-star 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]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||
| 2009 | Divas | Tamika | |||
| 2010 | Queen Victoria's Wedding | Queen Victoria Brooks | Short film | ||
| 2011 | Madea's Big Happy Family | Tammy | |||
| 2011 | Let Lorenzo | Tommy's Mom | Short film | ||
| 2014 | Zoe Gone | Delores Lafontaine |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Family Matters | Baby Girl | Episode: "My Big Brother" | [17] | |
| 1997 | Built to Last | Tammy Watkins | Main role | ||
| 1997 | Cinderella | Minerva | Television film | [18] | |
| 1998 | Getting Personal | Vanessa | Episode: "The Wedding Zinger" | [19] | |
| 1998–2000 | For Your Love | Eunetta | Recurring role | ||
| 2002 | Yes, Dear | Cathy | Episode: "Kim's New Nanny" | ||
| 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 | Doela Man's Mom (voice) | Television film | [22] | ||
| 2013 | Principal Davenport | Television film | |||
| 2017 | Ya Killin' Me | Ex Wife | Final role |