Tony and Emmy-winning actress Mary Alice died, according to NPR. A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed that she died of natural causes in her New York home on July 27.
For over 60 years, Alice pursued a career in acting, having appeared in many Broadway productions like The Shadow Box, Having Our Say, and won a Tony award for the best-featured actress for her portrayal of Rose Maxson in Fences. She earned an Obie Award in 1979 for her role in the off-Broadway production of Julius Caesar.
Along with her on-stage performances, Alice entertained on-screen as well. She was known for her role as Leticia “Lettie” Bostic in The Cosby Show spin-off, A Different World, and as Marguerite Peck in the series, I’ll Fly Away, a show that landed her an Emmy Award for Oustanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Alice portrayed many roles in dozens of films, as well. She played Cora in the 1984 movie Beat Street, Effie in the 1976 version of Sparkle, Mattie in The Wishing Tree, Lottie in a Perfect World, and the Oracle in 2003 The Matrix Revolutions.
Alice was born in Indianola, Mississippi, in 1936. Before moving to New York to become an actress, Alice was a schoolteacher in Chicago for several years.
Many took Twitter in response to the news of her death.
RIP Mary Alice…the original Rose Maxson. You were one of the greatest actresses of all time!! Thank you for the work, inspiration and thank you for Rose. Godspeed Queen ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yv3CKGOrDE
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) July 28, 2022
She was a magnificent artist. I saw her on Broadway with James Earl Jones in the original cast of FENCES. It was a thrilling, moving night of theater. Heaven bless Mary Alice. https://t.co/7PvWR4S0kD
— Bobby Rivers (@BobbyRiversTV) July 29, 2022
Rest In Peace Mary Alice. What an incredible woman. Brilliant actress. Led her life with grace, class and strength. So lucky I got to share a few unforgettable moments with you. https://t.co/yGU8TSEd10
— Mario Cantone (@macantone) July 28, 2022
Rest well to Tony Winner Mary Alice, who passed away. Mary won for her incredible performance in Fences (1987). pic.twitter.com/2nM0vNlJTr
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) July 28, 2022
Mary Alice, R.I.P.
(Great actress and such fun to have lunch with at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, where she worked on several new plays in the 1980s.) pic.twitter.com/LjXTuwXqUU— Joe Meyers (@joesview) July 29, 2022
We’ve lost another great one. Actress Mary Alice, a Tony and Emmy award winner, who grabbed our hearts in about 60 movies and tv shows has died. She gave us such a gift with her talents! pic.twitter.com/lM9EQfv4BX
— Deborah Roberts (@DebRobertsABC) July 29, 2022
Rest in peace, Mary Alice.
