Della Reese (Delloreese Patricia Early) was born on July 6, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan. She is a singer, actress, and an ordained minister. She was discovered by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and went on to have a successful singing career which included being nominated for a Grammy in 1960. In 1969 she began to work on her acting career. She was the first black woman to co-host The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1970. She most famously starred in the show Touched by an Angel which lasted for 9 seasons.


