'Touched By An Angel' Cast: Where Are They Now?

For nine seasons, the American television series Touched By An Angel inspired viewers in its stories centered around angels helping people in their everyday lives. The CBS drama series was centered on an angel named Monica (Roma Downey) and her supervisor Tess (Della Reese) as they passed along messages from God to those needing help.

Since its first season debuted in 1994, the show was nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards as well as three Golden Globes. The TV show, created by John Masius and perfected by Executive producer Martha Williamson was so popular, there was even a spinoff series, Promised Land, that ran for three seasons.

Touched By An Angel was one of those tv series that it seems like everyone was on. Some of their most notable guest stars over the years included Wynonna Judd, Rue McClanahan, Maya Angelou, Angela Lansbury, Ann-Margret, Carol Burnett, Celine Dion, Kirk Douglas, and Jack Black. You can even catch a young Brie Larson in her very first primetime role on the show.

Here's what all of your favorite cast members have been up to since the show wrapped in 2003.

1. Roma Downey

The Irish actress has been very busy since her days playing the kindhearted angel Monica. She's appeared on numerous made for TV films as well as the show The Division and miniseries The Bible, in which she played Mary, mother of Jesus. She is also a producer, producing many of her own Christian/Biblical-themed TV shows and films including Messiah and A.D. The Bible Continues. Downey has been married to TV producer Mark Burnett since 2007 and they share his two children from his previous marriage as well as her daughter from her previous marriage.

2. Della Reese

Tess was a bit tough and at times sarcastic, but she always played a meaningful role in Monica's cases throughout the series. Following her time on the show, Reese appeared on TV shows like That's So Raven, The Young and the Restless and Signed, Sealed, Delivered on the Hallmark Channel in addition to numerous seasonal made for TV films. Reese, who was an ordained minister in the '80s, retired from acting in 2014. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 86. 

3. John Dye

Andrew, the Angel of Death, became a regular on the series after first appearing in a recurring role in season 2. In addition to playing his Touched By An Angel role in the spinoff series Promised Land, he only acted in a few more roles, including holiday films Once Upon a Christmas and Twice Upon a Christmas. Dye passed away in San Fransisco, California in 2011 reportedly due to heart problems. 

4. Valerie Bertinelli

Oh, Gloria. The accident-prone but well meaning angel that becomes a main cast member in the last two seasons of the show. Bertinelli was married to rocker Eddie Van Halen until 2007 and they share a child, Wolfgang. She has gone on to appear in numerous additional TV shows, including her main role on Hot in Cleveland as well as become a Food Network star with her own series, Valerie's Home Cooking. 

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5. Randy Travis

The country star appeared on five episodes of the show as Sheriff Wayne Machulis and one episode as Jed Winslow. Travis has continued making the occasional acting appearance over the years, including the holiday film Christmas on the Bayou. In 2013, he suffered a viral upper respiratory infection and massive stroke and wasn't sure if he would recover let alone sing again. After years of rehabilitation and therapy, he is not only able to sing and perform again, but he sang live at his own induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. 

6. Alexis Cruz

Cruz appeared as the angel Rafael for 16 episodes throughout the series run. He is still acting, booking roles on shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Shark, Eagleheart, Castle, Love Life and the film Drag Me to Hell.

7. Cloris Leachman

Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman had a recurring role on the series as the archangel Ruth. She is still an incredibly active actor even later in life. She had a main role on Raising Hope, competed on Dancing With The Stars and has appeared on numerous other shows including Malcolm in the Middle and Thanks. 

8. Jasmine Guy

Jasmine Guy played the role of fallen angel Kathleen for 3 episodes. Guy has been on a number of shows since her arc on Touched By An Angel, including Grey's Anatomy, Dead Like Me, The Vampire Diaries, and Drop Dead Diva.

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This article was originally published on Oct. 20, 2020.