I’m not sure I knew what to expect when I met Della Reese, who had adapted her stage name from her birth first name Delloreese. In one of the few films in which I had seen Della, she appeared to be capable of breaking my back over her knee. Yes, that would be Harlem Nights – with the primary black cast consisting of Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and Redd Foxx. In this film, Della became forever associated with the pinkie toe, or the loss thereof. This type of no-nonsense roll would serve her well in guest spots on great shows like Picket Fences, Night Court, and Sanford and Son. Conversely, one of her most famous roles was as the angelic Tess in Touched By an Angel – but this was a show that I had never watched.
Not only was I unsure of what her personality would be like, I was thinking I’d have to pay quite a bit to get a signed photo of her when she appeared at the Hollywood Show on February 12, 2011. But what I had forgotten was that Della Reese was an ordained minister, and an exceptionally nice one at that. She was extremely fair price-wise, charging the standard $20 for a signed photo and happily posing for a picture for free.
I could feel the kindness and warmth radiate from Della Reese as we had our photo taken. I thanked her and she responded with a soft-spoken “God bless you” with a twinkle in her eye.
It was a thrill to meet such a kind legend as Della Reese.
Celebrities of the Winter 2011 Hollywood Show will continue…
that fight scene with Eddie from Harlem Nights is classic!
probably the only thing i remember from that flick…
Eric Hubble
April 8th, 2011