Della Reese Best Actress

Della Reese sang with the Mahalia Jackson Troupe; formed the Meditation Singers, a gospel group, 1949; worked as a receptionist, a taxi driver, and a barber; sang with Clara Ward Singers, the Roberta Martin Singers, Beatrice Brown's Inspirational Singers, and the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra; signed with Jubilee Records, 1954; signed with RCA, 1959; performed in nightclubs across the U.S.; made over 300 television guest appearances on popular talk and entertainment shows; guest host of The Tonight Show; host of her own variety show, Della, 1969-70; guest star in numerous television shows, including The Mod Squad, Chico and the Man, Designing Women, L.A. Law, and Picket Fences.

Named Most Promising Girl Singer of 1957; Emmy nomination for best supporting actress, 1977; Grammy nomination for best female soloist--gospel, 1987; approved for star on Hollywood Walk of Fame; numerous gold records.

Since her television acting debut in 1968 as a disco owner on The Mod Squad, Reese has continued appearing on the small screen, singing on many shows, including The Love Boat, The Great American Gospel Show, and the Grand Ol' Opry. In 1976, Reese landed the role of Della Rogers on the popular sitcom, Chico and the Man. In 1986, she was a regular in the role of Aunt Rachel on the short-lived series, Charlie & Co. Her acting talent is also evident in the widely varied guest-starring roles she has landed over the years on such series as Sanford and Son, Police Story, The "A" Team, MacGyver, Night Court, Crazy Like a Fox, Young Riders, Designing Women, L.A. Law, and Picket Fences. During the 1991-92 television season, she costarred in the CBS-TV hit The Royal Family. Although the death in 1991 of Redd Foxx, Reese's television-husband in the series, cast doubt on the fate of the show, the plot was reworked and the situation comedy continued for the rest of the season.

Reese returned to the big screen in the movie Harlem Nights in 1989 with Eddie Murphy. She appeared with Eddie again in The Distinguished Gentleman. Reese continues to pursue her first love, singing. She has often performed in concert halls, nightclubs, and at music festivals. In 1992 she starred in a nightclub show created by her husband, Franklin Lett. Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues opened at the Cinegrill in Hollywood to rave reviews.

In 1994, Reese accepted the role of the wise angel Tess in the CBS television series Touched By an Angel. The show caught on 1996 and has become a smash hit. Reese's work in Touched By an Angel has led to Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Emmy Award nominations. She has won Image Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Touched By an Angel both in 1996 and 1998.