Frances Reid, 'Days of Our Lives' matriarch, dies at 95

Frances Reid, the actress who portrayed family matriarch Alice Horton on Days of Our Lives from 1965 to 2007, passed away yesterday at the age of 95 in Los Angeles.

“I’m so sad to hear the news about Frances Reid,” actress (and Biggest Loser hostess) Alison Sweeney, who plays Sami on the show, tweeted last night. “She was a truly talented actress and we are all lucky and proud to have known her.”

Tweeted longtime co-star Deidre Hall, “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.”

Days of Our Lives producer Ken Corday said in a statement: “This is a very sad day, indeed; not only for me personally, but for the Days of our Lives family and the entire Hollywood community. From day one until she taped her last scene, Frances epitomized the past, present and future of the show. Frances was truly one of a kind. Her class cannot be matched and her shoes cannot be filled…we will miss her all the rest of our days.”

NBC sent out the following tribute: “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.”

Additional tweets from fellow cast members:

“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.”—Nadya Bjorlin

“Rest in peace Frances Reid. Condolences to your loved ones. Your stories and your spirit live in the hearts of those you have touched.”—Shawn Christian