LOS ANGELES -- Della Reese, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama "Touched by an Angel ...

In 1997, Reese went public with a salary complaint, claiming CBS had reneged that season on an agreement to match her "Touched by An Angel" pay increases to those of Downey.

Reese moved on to RCA Records in 1959 and released the single “ Don’t You Know? ” which was based on music from Puccini’s opera La Bohème. The song reached No. 2 on the pop charts.

Della Reese, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama "Touched by an Angel," has died at age 86.

Della Reese, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama "Touched by an Angel," has died at age 86.