Della Reese

Della Reese, born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 6, 1931, was an American jazz and gospel singer, actress, and ordained minister. She gained popularity as a singer with her 1959 hit single 'Don't You Know?'. In the late 1960s, she hosted her own talk show, 'Della', which aired for 197 episodes. Reese made a transition to film in the 1970s and appeared in movies such as 'Harlem Nights' (1989), 'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate' (1996), and 'Expecting Mary' (2010). Her most notable role was in the religious television drama 'Touched by an Angel' (1994–2003), where she played the leading role of Tess. Della Reese had a career that spanned seven decades and left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.