It is with a heavy heart that I bring you sad news today. I woke up very early this morning to learn that the beloved Frances Reid, who played matriarch Alice Horton since November 8, 1965, passed away on February 3 at the age of 95. Several sources, including Celebgalz and Soap Opera Digest, have confirmed this, and several DAYS stars posted the sad news on Twitter.
Alison Sweeney (Sami) Tweeted: I'm so sad to hear the news about Frances Reid. She was a truly talented actress & and we are all lucky & proud to have known her. RIP
Deidre Hall (ex-Marlena) Tweeted: Greg Meng called me this morning to tell me of the loss of our darling Frances Reid. She was loved, revered, and will be remembered. Deidre
Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) Tweeted: Rest in peace Frances Reid (Alice Horton). She was a great lady whom I feel honored to have known..the heart and soul of Days of our Lives.
Molly Burnett (Melanie) Tweeted: To the family and friends and loved ones of Francis Reid. My thoughts and prayers are with you :(
Mark Hapka (Nathan) Tweeted: RT Ms. Reid was 96 years old. She will be missed greatly and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with her family,loved ones & friends.
Shawn Christian (Daniel) Tweeted: Rest in peace Frances Reid. Condolences to your loved ones. Your stories and your spirit live in the hearts of those you have touched.
Taylor Spreitler (Mia) Tweeted: Never had the chance to meet Frances Reid but everyone at DOOL always speaks so fondly of her. Sad day in Salem.
Crystal Chappell (Carly) Tweeted: Frances Reid was one of the most lovely souls I ever met, but with a smart, kick butt spirit! Glad I got to know her.
Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer Horton) posted on her Facebook page: the news of frances reid passing breaks my heart.she was an incredible friend and mentor,not to mention an incredible "gram" with a wicked sense of humor! what an honor and blessing to have known her for so many years.i pray she is in great peace now.what a beautiful woman! i am so glad many of you got to know her through "days of our lives." i love you frances! xoxo,missy.
Frances Reid was born on December 9, 1914 in Wichita Falls, Texas and raised in Berkeley, California. She graduated from the Pasadena Community Playhouse and majored in acting. Many DAYS fans fondly remember her as Alice Grayson Horton, but she began her acting career on stage in 1940, performing in New York in Cyrano de Bergerac, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and as Ophelia in Hamlet.
Reid was married to actor Philip Bourneuf from June 27, 1940 until his death in 1979. The couple had no children of their own.
Reid appeared on a number of television series prior to her DAYS debut in 1965, including Portia Faces Life, Armstrong Circle Theatre, Perry Mason, and numerous others. She portrayed Grace Baker on As the World Turns from 1959 until 1962, and portrayed Rose Pollock on The Edge of Night in 1964.
The beloved actress won several soap opera awards for her role as the beloved matriarch Alice Horton, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys in 2004. She won a Soap Opera Digest Award in 1990 for Editor's Choice, which she shared with her former co-star Macdonald Carey (Tom Horton). In addition, she won two other Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1984 and in 1985 for Outstanding Actress in a Mature Role on a Daytime Serial. Reid was also nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards, one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 1987 and one for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1979 for her longstanding role as Alice Horton.
Frances Reid was the only remaining original cast member of Days of Our Lives and was last seen on our screens on December 26, 2007. It was revealed at the 'Day of Days' fan event on November 7, 2009 by Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie Williams) that she was living in a care facility. This beautiful lady will be dearly missed by many fans, and was like a mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many of us. I know I speak for many fans, in that our hearts are filled with sorrow. May she rest in peace, and deepest condolences go out to family and friends.
You can call the DAYS hotline at 1-818-840-2067 and tell them you expect a wonderful tribute to Alice Horton. Please see the DAYS Contact Information page for more addresses and phone numbers.
Updated February 6:
NBC has released the following statement regarding the passing of Frances Reid: "NBC is deeply saddened by the passing of Frances Reid. She was a true icon of the daytime genre and while we mourn her passing, we also celebrate her long life and the tremendous talent she shared with her generations of fans. She will be sorely missed."
Please visit the NBC official site to see a photo gallery of Frances Reid through the years.
Pictured: Frances Reid as Alice Grayson Horton
Photo courtesy of John Paschal / Copyright 1999 NBC Universal
Comments
She lived a good long life. Now I hope that Days gives her the tribute she deserves.
Sad, sad, sad!!! She was a great lady and will be sorely missed. I’m sure she would have been heart broken with the turn Days has taken over the last couple of years. We’ll miss ‘Mrs. H.’ and her donuts!
I am heartbroken. “Alice” was like a grandmother to
me. I have missed her on DAYS. Rest in peace dear
Alice.
I was up late last night when I first saw the news about Frances Reid, and I was so sad. She was so amazing on Days, and will be greatly missed.
she was like my grandma she will be very missed
I am sad to hear the news about this. I wonder how the writers at Days will write this into the show now. I think she diserves a huge tribute with a big funeral on the show with everyone from Days there. It is wild to think i think the last major story I think she had on there was when she ended up in new salem and Matlena thought she had killed Alice. I loved it when Alice was reunited with Marlena.
Rest It Peace Frances. The show will never be the same.
I am so saddened to hear the news Frances Reid passing. She is the heart of Days and will be deeply missed. She was the “Gram” I wish that I had. I have been watching Days forever and missed her the last few years. I loved the Horton Christmas tradition of hanging the ornaments with everyone name. I hope that Days gives her the farewell that she definitely the deserves.
“Alice Horton” will be greatly missed..she was like part of my own family in all the years I have watched this show. I hope they will give her the farwell she deserves both on and off the show. God Bless you Frances Reed! You will never be forgotten.
I grew up on dol, and Frances was like a gram to me but only thru tvland. You will be missed dearly. Your roll was designed with family values and married to the same man thru all your years on dol. Shame the writes don’t value those values anymore. May you rest in peace. And to DOL you better do something really special for Frances she was the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was sadden to hear the news. I’ve watched Days off and on for over 40 years and she was “gram” to everyone on the show and off. I , too, love the CHristmas tradition with the ornaments and I missed seeing her in those episodes the last two years. She will be greatly missed by many! Rest in peace, dear Frances.
I can’t believe it that Frances reid passed away i am going to Miss her on Screen she was a Wonderful Actress and a beautiful lady I am going to Miss her Donuts!
I have been watching DOOL for 22 years and have always loved the character of Alice Horton. She was the grandmother everyone which they had. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her loved ones. She was the heart and soul of the show and will truley be missed. Thanks for the memories. Rest in peace.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Frances Reid. As a fan of Days for many years, I know she was the heart of the show. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Reid’s family, friends and the cast and crew of Days Of Our Lives. ‘Rest in peace Grandma Horton.’
I believe @stefanodimera tweeted about the passing too. Any reason why he wasn’t listed? He’s been on the show with Alice for years. Thanks!
We will all miss her especially on the ball hanging show at Xmas.Now lets get John,Marlena,Steve and Kayla back.
I am so saddened by the news of Frances Reid’s death. She was such a wonderful actress and the glue that held Days together for so many years. I have watched for over 45 years and just hope they give Alice the tribute she so deserves. RIP dear Gran…
I have watched DOOLs for 42 years and when I saw the Christmas balls ,I started it and have done it every year since with my family. i know we here in Ozzy land are a long way behind and we havn’t seen Alice in a long time but I will miss seeing our Grams she was an insperation to me in a lot of ways.
Rest in Peace Alice Horton, you will never be forgotten.
I too hope they give you the send off on DOOLs that you deserve.
Frances Reid ~ Mrs H. rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.
I have been a fan of days since I was 13 in ‘69. Alice was a wonderful role model on and off the screen. I will miss her and what a wonderful lendgend she is! God bless and RIP
I have been watching DOOL since the very beginning as a child. Alice Horton will be sadly missed. Even tho she was not on the show for the past two years all someone had to do was mention her name and you could instantly picture her beautiful face. She was the end of an era for Days. I will continue to watch as long as it is on the air. We will all miss you Mrs. H. Tell Mr. H we said hello and we miss him too.
I HAVE WATCHED DAYS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 65 AND GREW TO LOVE MRS H AS BO CALLED HER , SHE WAS AN AMAZING WOMEN AND WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YEARS TO COME. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL THE DAYS STAFF. YOU WILL ALL BE IN MY PRAYERS.
I have missed seeing alice horton for a very long time. now with the passing of francis reed we dont have any hope of that ever happening. she was what family was all about and days has strayed so far away with that.i send my sympathy to all of the people that new her personaly.she deserves the best days can ever do. bring back everyone on the show that ever new her for her memorial. days do it you have let your loyal fans down enough lately with all the unhappy storylines.
When newspapers wrote of Ms.Reids passing,I was just shocked to read (which was false by the way)that Days killed her off in 2007 !!! She had a lifetime contract. It was in the Norfolk Daily News, (Nebraska)the day or day after her passing.They spoke of her not taking it well when Susan Seaforth Hayes went to tell her on the show,so someone explaaain???? How ill spirited for such a sweetheart! I too hope and pray they give her a beautifully treasured memorial.I have missed them not casting her once in awhile..YOU’re @ peace now Gran,with your heavenly father,where you’ll be in eternal peace & no more pain.My condolances to family & friends.
I have grown up watching Frances Reid as Alice Horton on Days. She was a wonderful actress. I pray she rests in peace.
I had hoped we would get to see her one last time. I remember her last performance at Christmas 2007.
A true professional and such a beautiful, elegant lady.
I always thought of her as the Grandmother I never had.
She truly was the heart of Days of Our Lives.
We will all miss her and believe NBC owes this Matriarch a fitting tribute ! The end of an era.
dear miss h , i grow up watching you and so did my girls and now my granddaughterdoes now. you were and always be grandma horton or ms. h.ms.h its time for you to rest in peace, you will be miss very much. god bless your family at this time. love you.
I was so sorry to hear of Ms. Reid’s passing, she will be missed. I knew she was not well when she couldn’t be there for the Christmas segment and Mickey’s funeral. She was a great person and I loved her as Alice Horton. No one could replace her.
I am saddend at the passing of Frances Reid, its like the passing of a family member. She truely needs a send off as she was the backbone of this soap. My heart is broken, you will be missed.
I WILL MISS GRAM { ALICE} I HAVE WATCHED DAYS SINCE 1965 WHEN I WAS A SENOR I LOVE WATCHING DAYS OF OUR LIFE.I LOVE ALICE HORTON AND SHE SHOULD HAVE A TRIBUTE OF HER LIFE .SHE WILL BE SADLY MISS I ALWAYS WANTED TO TASTE HER DONUTS HA! HA!
We simpley must have “a send off”, “a fond fairwell”, a way that, “family and friends on the daysof our lives show”,can say good-bye to such a wounderful lady. There was a “memorial”, for Mickey’s character and to not have a “gathering of the clan,” to say good-bye to Alice, “mrs. H”, WOULD NOT BE RIGHT. All of the children, Tommy, Marie, and Bill must be there to say good-bye, and of course Bo and Hope must be there together. After all, “mrs.H”, use to bandage Bo’s skined knees and even after BO GREW-UP, WHEN bO, GOT IN TROUBLE, it was to “Mrs. H”, that Bo would turn.
Yes, we viewers must get to seethe Horton family gather for yet another “memorial” or funeral for Alice Horton, “Mrs. H.”
I watched Tom and Alice long ago, as I am sure many of you did, and I will miss mrs. H. greatly as many more willalso. To allow this last main star, go away without an fairwell on days, would be a major mastake. Some how, in some way, wheather by furnal or memorial, Alice Horton, should have her departure on days.
Mrs.H. Alice Horton, we will miss you ever so much. You were one of the great ones’. I loved how when something went wrong you would say, “let go and let God.” that ment a lots to me back then and it neans even more now. Thank you for giving your roll as, Alice Horton, wife of Doctor Tom Horton, mother of Tommy, Addie, Mickey, Bill and Marie, so much heart.
This passing much take notice. There must be a furnal of some sort, with family and frends gathered around.
I am glad i learned about this horrible news through you Gwen. It is almost like a virtual family all of us long time fans so it seems somewhat fitting. Sigh. Not much to say that hasn’t already been said. Like many she was a virtual g’ma to me, wishing my family could be like that. I say we all raise a donut to an inspirational woman.
I have watched Days everyday since it’s very first day on the air. Everyone could always count on Mrs. H when they had a problem. She was the mainstay, the heart and soul of the show. Even when she wasn’t able to be on the show in person, she was always referred to. It still seemed like she “was” there.
She will be so very missed by everyone..fans, cast, and crew alike. It just won’t be the same without her.
If they don’t honor her with some BIG send off, and not just a notice at the end of the show, EVERYONE will be REALLY ticked off. They MUST do something special for this special lady.
We will miss you Mrs. H. God bless you. Thanks for the memories.
I’m in such shock and awe at the passing and great loss we all have endured about Granny Horton dear beautiful actress Frances Reid. As I sit here writing this letter tears are rolling down my cheeks and I feel as if my heart has broken by losing our sweet Frances. As I choke back the tears the lump in my throat doesn’t want to go away. I so wanted to meet her in my lifetime but as so many others never got the chance. I did send her Christmas cards, birthday cards, and would write letters to her to let her know how I so loved her as part of my family as I watched her for over 40 plus years. I told her how an inspiring actress she was and how I lived a lot of my life from the Granny and Mother she played on Days of Our Lives and how she had the biggest part of making it what it is today along with our other longtime actors and actresses that have been there for us when the producers permit them to be. Don’t know if she ever was given the letters but I hope and pray she got them so that she knew what she meant to me. I always wrote to Ken Corday asking him to please include her again on the show and not to let her be left out as we all miss and love her so much. God gave us this great beautiful wonderful lady for many years and she’ll never be replaced that’s for sure. Our other great actors and actresses all have their special places too in our hearts in a different special way. We love you Granny Frances and you will forever remain in my heart and everyone else’s. Thank you from the bottom of my heart dear sweet lady and God bless you forever and a day. Tell Grandpa Horton hello for us too when you see him in Heaven. We will never forget you and may you rest in peace dear sweet Granny Frances. Thank you Granny for all the best years and Days Of Our Lives. Keep on keeping on up there.
A die hard fan for more than 40 plus years.
Shirley Wildes in Okeechobee, Florida
Our beloved Frances Reid…you will never be forgotten…
You have taught us to be patient, kind, loving in a way that no one else has on that show and I know that was your true self…
I have watched Days since the beginning in 1965 and have missed you being on the show the last few years…
may your memories continue to live on through all those lives you have touched ….RIP my dear lady…
To the cast, crew and to all of Francis’ family.
I am sorry to hear of Mrs. H’s passing. All I could think about was back in the hey day of DOOL when she and Bo would team up together and she would help him investigate crimes. I do remember back when they did choke Mrs Horton w/her own donut back when marlena was killing everyone in Salem. Thank god they brought her back. I hope and Pray that past cast members show up in Salem for the biggest tribute they could give anyone. I am sure past soap stars would be happy to come back to pay respects to the one person who has been on DOOL since the very 1st show. I hope and pray she was surrpunded by people that loved her when she passed away.
She was the GRAM to us all! God Bless you Francis Reed. You will be missed!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was so sad over the loss of dear Mrs. Horton from Days. I have truly missed her the last few years on Days. I started watching Days in 1965 and I am now 65 and Mrs. Reid passed on my birthday. I have always told my daughter about days because she was born during an episode, and interrupted me watching it that day. She was worth it though :~) I know the entire present and past cast will greatly “Mrs. H”
Rest In Peace…..
I have been wondering when we would see her again on the show . I am saddened to know that she has passed. I look forward to the tribute to Alice Hortons many years on Days! God Bless her family and thousands of friends.
I have been a fan from the beginning. Frances Reid and I share the same birthday. I hope DOOL does a send-off for Mrs. H. that lasts for days and days. I want to see my favorite scenes – playing detective with Bo. Those were precious scenes. DOOL had better give her a huge wonderful send-off with lots of flashbacks. Oh, the tears that will be shed!!!!!
I am so saddened by mrs. H’s passing. She was the GLUE of everyone’s sorrow on the show. They would go Mrs. H for advice and what sound advice she gave. She will be greatly missed, I have been a fan for over 40 years, I do hope the produces do give her the tribute she rightfully deserves, I would be so upset if they did anything less!!!!!
So very sad at Gram’s death. She became a part of my xmas traditions with the hanging of the xmas balls for everone in the family. Somehow every year I managed to get home from work in time xmas eve day to see my favorite episode. It became a joke in my family that I had to see this episode. Plus I appreciated all of her good advise to anyone seeking it. A very wise woman and I am sure this wasn’t just an act for the show! It is like another chapter in the show and also in my life is over.
First, I want to say thats its sad to hear the passing of Frances Reid,Known as Alice Horton or affectionly as Mrs H. My Mother always liked her ans she’ll be missed. I was hoping to see one more appearance of her.
I’m pretty sure they’ll have a funeral or memorial service for her. We’ll have to give it time because it just happened last week and episodes are taped 2 months in advance so the writers will have to figure how to write it in.
Rest In Peace Mrs “H”
I really hope that Days of our Live will do a special for all the original cast that has passed on. Put in interviews and special moments, and lots of clips. I will probably cry, but it would be a wonderful tribute to them.
I have been a fan of days of our lives for years. I have missed seeing Francis Reed long ago, She is a lady that will not be forgotten, So many great memories we all can remember. A tribute would be nice of some kind on the show. Rest in peace Mrs. Horton , as we know you.
Thank you for all you brought to all of us Grandma H. you will be missed. Love your spunk.
I hope they give France Reid a good send off and have a day of old memeries and funeral gathing of all Hortons family and friends. Good send off. It would mean so much for the fans to see. I been watching Days Of Our lives sense I was 10 years old.
I wonder if they will do a show on Days about Alice passing?!?
DOOL i think Alice’s passing should be a major story line.how namy baby boomers are living it now. my moms b-date’s dec.17/1914. maybe your way of writing the story might give me solice. i lost my dad @92years, 7yrs ago, i still need words of comfort.but, most important time DOOL saved my life.it was 1990 when my 25year old daughter had a heart attack while driving her car,hit a big pole & died.your story lines were great! they took me away from “me”,my loss,& pain & put me into Salem,USA.where donuts were 5 minutes away.w/Julie,Hope,Jennifer,& half of salem could vent all to “Alice”.
thank u frances for being my “gram” too.
I will miss Mrs Ried she will be greatly missed. RIP
Iam saddened about (Alice Horton) Ms, Reid passing on. I started watching Dool’s way back when i was a child,living with my grandmother, in the late 60’s. I hope in mrs Alice Horton’s memory on the Day’s show will get Bo and Hope back together!For Good!Praying for Her Family and Friends and Fans. God Bless you!
When I saw her death at the end of one of the shows, I was sad…She and “Tom” had made so many memories for so many of us viewers. I raised my children watching that show. Good Luck to the rest of the cast.
R.I.P. MRS. H
LOVE AND ALOHA…
I love Francis Reid like she was my own Grandma. I started watching Days in 1973 when my son was an infant. I have sorely missed seeing here in recent years. Thank you Francis for gracing us with your wise and loving Alice for so many years. You are missed and cannot ever be replaced.
I have watched Days of our Lives for years. I am a grandmother now and I picked to be called Gran. It makes me think of Frances and how she was loved and respected. I remember some of the adventures she went through. I always liked her so much. I miss her character.