The Heartbreaking Death Of Natalie Desselle Reid

Comedy actress Natalie Desselle Reid, who is best known for her work in the 1997 comedy B.A.P.S. as Halle Berry's sidekick has passed away after a private battle with cancer. In an official statement posted on Reid's Instagram page, her family said, "It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning from colon cancer. She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife. Her diverse career touched so many and she will be loved forever. Naturally, we are grieving and processing this profound loss and we thank you in advance for respecting our privacy at this extremely difficult time."

In reporting her passing, TMZ said it had spoken to a Reid family member who had said the actress had been battling colon cancer privately, and that she had been diagnosed earlier this year. She passed away while in hospice care, and was surrounded by her friends and family.

Reid made her mark both on television and on the big screen. Aside from playing Barry's sidekick on B.A.P.S., she also made her mark on the UPN series Eve, which ran from 2003 to 2006. She also appeared in the 1997 version of Cinderella, which starred Brandy and Whitney Houston.

Friends and former co-workers took to social media to mourn Reid's passing. Halle Berry went on Twitter with a simple, heartbreaking message which read, "I'm in total shock... completely heartbroken. gonna need a minute. #RIP @NatalieDesselle." Her manager, Dolores Robinson, also used Twitter to address Reid's passing. Robinson wrote: "Natalie Desselle the beautiful talented actress passed away this morning. Natalie was a bright light. She was an amazing actress and comedienne but also an awesome mother & wife. Sending prayers to her family. I had the pleasure of managing her career." Robinson's daughter, actress Holly Robinson Peete also posted her own tribute, saying: "Just absolutely decimated by this news... Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her. She will be so missed... sending out prayers to her children and husband. Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl" with a string of emojis.

Reid is survived by her husband, Leonard, and her three children (via People).