Mary Alice dead: Hollywood actress of A Different World and Sparkle dies aged 80

American actress Mary Alice, who starred in The Matrix Revolutions, has passed away in New York City at the age of 80

Hollywood actress Mary Alice has died at the age of 80, it has been confirmed.

The Emmy and Tony Award-winning star was best known for her roles as Leticia "Lettie" Bostic on NBC's A Different World and Effie Williams in the 1976 musical drama Sparkle.

Alice died in her home in New York City on Wednesday, an NYPD spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, but her cause of death is unknown.

Alice starred in 2003's The Matrix Revolutions as The Oracle opposite Keanu Reeves and played the role again in the video game Enter The Matrix.

The Hollywood icon was born December 3, 1941 in Indianola, Mississippi per several sources, according to Variety others say that she was born in 1937.

Hollywood actress Mary Alice has died at the age of 80

Alice showed an early and natural ability for acting, and began her stage career in her hometown.

Her family moved from Mississippi to Chicago when she was just two-years-old and Alice graduated from Chicago Teacher's College (now known as Chicago State University), and taught at an elementary school.

Alice returned to acting in the 1960s with community theatre and worked her way up to stage productions in Manhattan’s East Village throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Alice was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2000, and she retired from acting in 2005

Alice was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2000, and she retired from acting in 2005.

Tributes for Alice have been shared following the news of her passing, with Oscar winner Viola Davis writing on Twitter: "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," she added.

The heartfelt tribute was in reference to Alice winning a Tony Award for her portrayal as Rose Maxson on the Broadway run of August Wilson's Fences, years before Viola stepped into the role onscreen.

Sex and the City star Mario Cantone tweeted: "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."

Actor Keith Powell simply wrote: "We lost a GIANT," while Colman Domingo added: "A shoulder we all stood on. A round of applause for Mary Alice. Thank you legend. Rest Easy."

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