“A Different World” Actress Mary Alice Passes Away At 85

Actress Mary Alice passed away at the age of 85.

On Thursday, HuffPost’s Philip Lewis announced the death of the “Different World” actress. A close friend of Alice shared the news with him that she had passed away at her home in Manhattan. The cause of her death is currently unknown at this time.

Following the news of Alice’s death, some Hollywood celebs took to social media to pay their respects.

“RIP Mary Alice…the original Rose Maxson. You were one of the greatest actresses of all time!! Thank you for the work and inspiration, and thank you for Rose. Godspeed Queen ❤️❤️❤️❤️” actress Viola Davis tweeted.

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

Actor Coleman Domingo also gave a few kind words about Alice.

“A shoulder we all stood on. A round of applause for Mary Alice. Thank you, legend. Rest Easy.”

A shoulder we all stood on. A round of applause for Mary Alice. Thank you legend. Rest Easy. pic.twitter.com/WXYEqSOlJA

— Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) July 28, 2022

Alice rose to fame in the mid-60s, performing with the New York Negro Ensemble Company when they were in Chicago touring. Alice gained success by starring in multiple classic television shows and films.

In 1976, Alice portrayed Effie Williams in the original version of the musical “Sparkle.” The Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress is best known for her role as Leticia “Lettie” Bostic on NBC’s “A Different World.”

Alice’s other film credits include Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X, Awakenings,” “Down In The Delta,” and “A Perfect World.”