Sad news for all fans of the 80s sitcom 227. Alaina Reed Amini aka Alaina Reed Hall has crossed over to the other side yall. She died of breast cancer.

Reed Hall portrayed “Rose” on the show that was a beloved part of many 80s babies’ evening TV viewing schedule, along with shows like “The Cosby Show”, “What’s Happening” and “A Different World”.

When these shows came on, you couldn’t unglue my bee-hind from my babysitter’s plastic couch covers until they were all over, and if memory serves me correctly they all seemed to come on in one big block of time.

Alaina Reed Hall also played Gordon’s younger sister “Olivia” on Sesame Street. She was 63.

According to Alaina Reed Hall’s Wikipedia page, she died on my birthday, but I think many media outlets may have just received the press release about her death yesterday, which may be why the news is just being reported.

I just love Best Week Ever’s tribute to this under appreciated actress: “5 Things That Made Alaina Reed Hall Awesome“.

Breast cancer also recently took the life of comedian Charlie Murphy’s wife, Tisha Murphy.

News of Reed Hall’s death may have also been overshadowed by the death of Brittany Murphy.

I think one of Brittany Murphy’s best roles was in 8 Mile. Or at least that’s the role that stands out to me. She was also the voice of “Luanne” on King of the Hill.

As happens when young people die unexpectedly, people in the media and around the world wonder why.

Brittany Murphy died from a heart attack and rumors have already started about, as Cinematical put it, “anorexia and drug addiction, diabetes and thyroid problems…”

The thyroid bit is especially frightening to me and hits very close to home. In January of 2009, I dipped a pinky toe into death’s waters when I almost died of a heart attack from my thyroid issues.

In other December death news, Oral Roberts also passed away recently.

Wow. Is it me or do people seem to be leaving this planet (plane) left and right? Or are we just more aware of these deaths because of the nature of the media?