Sesame Street star Alaina Reed Amini dies aged 63

Alaina Reed Hall joined the Sesame Street cast in 1976

Alaina Reed Amini, best known for playing Olivia Robinson on long-running children's show Sesame Street, has died aged 63, her publicist has confirmed.

The star - previously known as Alaina Reed Hall - died Thursday at a hospital in Santa Monica after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

Her stage credits included Chicago and Hair. She also appeared in several movies, including Cruel Intentions.

She also guest-starred in various TV shows such as ER and NYPD Blue.

Reed-Amini joined the Sesame Street cast in 1976 and played a photographer and sister of the character Gordon.

The actress remained on the show until 1988 and also starred in NBC's 227 playing the landlady and best friend of the show's main character.

During the final series Reed-Amini married a character who was played by her real-life husband, Kevin Peter Hall, who died in 1991.

She is survived by her husband, Tamim Amini, and two children from a previous marriage.

According to her husband, no memorial service will be held, but a celebration of her life is being planned for next year.