Arthur "King Doran" Reed

On the morning of November 2, 1969, when the fourth time was the charm. 10:24 AM at Memorial Hospital of So. Cal, Ernestine and Arthur Reed welcomed their only son, Arthur Doran Reed, into the world. The youngest of four children, Doran, as they called him, joined his three sisters Robi, Donna and Andrea on that bright, California Sunday.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Doran was every bit of ‘the baby of the family.’ With big brown eyes, he easily found his way into hearts and took up residence. He embraced all the love that was given to the only boy in the Reed household. Though he gave as much love as he received, Doran savored all the perks that came with being the baby boy. It was a special experience, Doran would often boast, “I grew up with four mothers, and I loved every bit of being spoiled.” As a child, Doran had a spark that caught everyone’s attention. His mother, Ernestine, recognized his ability to dazzle those he met and quickly found him a talent agent. The young LA native stepped into the limelight as a child actor. A natural at big expressions and an infectious laugh, Doran "flourished as the star of television and print ads. From a 7-Up commercial with a rookie NBA player named Earvin “Magic” Johnson to an NBC network promo as a young (and scrawny) Mr. T, his career seemed to be non-stop, and he loved the attention.

In addition to acting, Doran loved animals. He enjoyed fishing, absolutely adored dogs and was an avid reptile collector, with a particular interest in snakes. To the horror of his sisters and mother, Doran often left them to care for his California King snake while he went out to play. Many times, Doran returned home only to find them huddled in a corner in fear of the escaped pet. He would always calmly find the snake and return it to its tank. Doran followed the Reed sisters’ path through school, starting with the pioneer- ing UES (now UCLA Lab School). Followed by Emerson Junior High and finishing at Beverly Hills High School. Though his sisters laid the groundwork for Doran to ease into, he made his own mark at each institution, making life-long friends along the way.

In the late 1980s, after graduating high school, Doran became captivated with the rise of Hip-Hop music and culture. He felt he too had what it took to be the next LL Cool J or better yet, Public Enemy’s Chuck D. Thus, the artist known as "Slim D" was born. Writing his own conscious rhymes with messages on Black Pride, unity and power to the people and some love songs for the ladies, practicing daily was fun for a while. But Doran was not one to ignore the obvious – he wasn’t very good. Still that creative drive had to be steered. Although he did enjoy acting, Doran realized what he loved most during those years spent on sets was everything going on behind the camera. This revelation led Doran to pursue production.

Doran began his production journey alongside his budding filmmaker friends. One of his first projects was with longtime friend John Singleton, who was directing his first music video for the group 06 Style, titled Steppin’ Into the House. Though Doran starred in front of the camera, the experience gave him a crash course in guerrilla filmmaking behind the scenes.

He followed that by working as a production assistant on the classic comedy Friday, directed by first-time director F. Gary Gray. Doran continued to sharpen his skills working with veteran heads of production on Mario Van Peebles’ feature film Panther. But it was on the set of the HBO series Roc where Doran felt he had truly found his place. There, he found mentorship behind the camera—and a familiar rhythm in front of it, portraying the character “Slim D” on the show.

In the midst of working production, he branched out to assist writer/director, Kasi Lemmons, with her critically acclaimed film, “Eve’s Bayou.” Then joining his sisters in their casting company, Robi Reed and Associates (RRA). Again, Doran soared.

Through the 90s-2000's, he helped the company build memorable casts for award winning films such as Denzel Washington’s directorial debut, “Ant wone Fisher,” Vondie Curti-Hall’s “Gridlock’d,” George Tillman’s “Soul Food,” and Tyler Perry projects, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” and “For Colored Girls.” Doran was integral to creating perfect casts for classic films like Malcolm Lee’s “The Best Man,” F. Gary Gray’s “Set It Off,” and Ted Witcher’s beloved romance, “Love Jones.” Rounding off this chapter as a Co-Producer on the indie feature "Flip the Script.”

In the year 2000, a fateful encounter changed everything. Doran met a bright-smiled young woman who captured his heart: Angela Nicole “Nickey” Bennett. Fresh from Harrah, Oklahoma, she was working at Agency West Entertainment, a talent agency in Los Angeles. She was sent to deliver a package to the RRA office—by then, a household name in Black entertainment—located in a stylish tower just off Hollywood Boulevard.

With specific instructions to place the package directly into the hands of her “point of contact,” Nickey met Doran. Though the moment was brief, soon after that, she found herself being requested to make frequent deliveries to the RRA office.

What began as friendly work exchanges and casual industry chats began to shift. In a chance run-in outside of the office, Doran finally asked Nickey out on a date. Their first date was sweet and simple. Doran took her to get a her nails done, followed by Cuban cuisine at Versailles, a prized local staple. On their second date, he met her parents, who happened to be visiting from back home. Just a few weeks later, Nickey met the entire Reed family at Andrea’s birthday dinner.

The love between Doran and Nickey was the kind that everyone around them could feel—and warmly embraced. What Doran didn’t yet realize was that a beautiful new chapter was already beginning: a family of their own was just over the horizon.

In November 2002, they welcomed their firstborn son, Doran Caiden—who, in the words of his father, “has never met a stranger.” Born with a smile, Caiden inherited Doran’s charm, magnetic personality and keen interest in filmmaking. Like his father, he also goes by his middle name rather than his first.

Next came their daughter, Roxi Grace (b. 2005), whom Doran proudly called his "RoxStar." He described her as “kind, smart as a whip and fiercely independent.” He would say, “She can go toe-to-toe with the best—either learning something during a discussion or schooling you on a few things.”

Doran and Nickey were married in 2008, exchanging vows in an intimate backyard ceremony at big sister, Robi’s home. Surrounded by love, to everyone’s joy, their family continued to grow.

Third up is son, Nixon Dean (b. 2010), like Doran, he is a natural animal guru, with an expertise in dog training. But it’s his deep love for reptiles—and his encyclopedic knowledge of so many species—that mirrors his father most. “Two peas in a pod,” Doran would say with a smile, united in their shared fascination of things that crawl (and bark)—many weekends were spent together at exotic pet shops across LA.

And then came the baby, completing the family just as Doran had before. Calliope Mattoon (b. 2011) held what he fondly called “the sweet spot of ‘last.’” A “quiet storm,” she carries her grandmother Ernestine’s bubbly spirit and her father’s silly streak. Not afraid to get dirty, Calliope shares Doran’s love for urban farming, often helping him tend to the chickens. She also inherited his creative spark, writing poetry and singing from a young age.

Doran's four children meant everything to him. Like his close-knit relationship with his sisters, Doran was proud that his kids are as close as they are.

In 2010, Black Entertainment Television (BET) partnered with Robi Reed and Associates. Doran, Andrea and Robi joined the network’s initiative to develop original scripted programming, beginning with the casting of the renewed hit series The Game. Doran went on to bring to life major projects, including the highly acclaimed The New Edition Story, Games People Play, and other network successes. With the launch of BET+, he continued his impact by casting standout series such as Average Joe, Diarra from Detroit, and Kingdom Business.

Outside of work and family, Doran was an avid gardener—just like his parents. An urban farmer in the heart of the city, he raised chickens in his backyard and grew and harvested a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Doran had a deep love for Bob Marley, as his father did as well. He’d sing atthe top of his lungs with soul and passion. And while his strained to stay inkey, his love for music was undeniable—and impressively diverse. When he wasn’t working, Doran longed to be in nature, often fishing in open waters or tucked away in quiet spots. Antiquing also brought him joy; he and his sister Donna shared a love for collecting vintage dishes and furniture. At the Reed family’s weekly gatherings—affectionately called the “Round Robins”—you’d often find Doran at the grill, confidently serving up steak and fish like a true grill master. Come Thanksgiving, he was frying a turkey. His culinary skills were unmatched, and most would agree, Doran was a great cook.

But more than anything, Doran cherished time with his close-knit family. In their years together, the Reeds often gathered for activities with all fourteen core members in attendance: Arthur and Ernestine, Doran and his three sisters, and the eight grandchildren—along with a few beloved cousins and chosen family. The saying was always, “We roll deep." Whether it was movie matinees, art exhibits, new restaurants, or trips across state lines, they did it together. Following the passing of his parents in 2023, Doran leaned even more deeply into God and family. He made it a priority to stay connected, and he did all he could to pour into each relationship with love and intention.

Surprising to many, Doran spent his lifetime battling Sickle Cell Anemia. As a kid, being able to play with his friends and fight through the pain that comes with the disease was always top of mind. He has stated, “the support of my parents, sisters, friends and great doctors made for a near perfect life.” The decades of hospitalization, pain, treatments and missing school never stopped Doran from living his best life. In recent years, Doran was all about awareness and bringing more people to the table to understand Sickle Cell Disease. Even being honored at Dodger Stadium for his (and sister Andrea's) lifelong contributions to studies around it. His desire to get people to donate blood weighed heavy on his mind and he was determined to make a difference. Doran was excited about the advances researchers have made. He was able to witness a cure for Sickle Cell Anemia in his lifetime. And that more than pleased him.

In March of 2025, during ASCEND!, Robi’s monthly bible study, the two guest speakers ministered and prayed with Doran. It was at this time that the Holy Spirit revealed to them that “Doran had the spirit of a King.” And from that point on, he should refer to himself as “King Doran.”

In his final months with us, King Doran was excited about producing a film with a team in the U.K., starring in a feature about living with Sickle Cell Anemia with a Canadian documentarian, working on several projects with his cousins, and starting an Audition Coaching business. His death was unexpected but his life was very intentional.
The words “fun,” “sweet,” and “good” are often used when people speak about King Doran. But the word that’s most used when expressing the experience of King Doran, is “Light.” He was the light of our lives and will remain our beacon until we see each other again.

King Doran’s loving spirit continues with, per his wishes, the generous donation of his corneas already renewing life to those suffering. His left cornea was successfully transplanted in Chile and his right cornea is being used to relieve pressure due to glaucoma in the US. Known for his big loving eyes, it's fitting that they will now bring comfort and healing to someone in need.

When King Doran passed, he was greeted into the arms of his awaiting parents, Arthur and Ernestine Reed. He leaves behind children Caiden, Roxi, Nixon and Calliope Reed and their mother, Nickey Bennett Reed, sister Robi Reed and her children Noah and Summer Humes and their father and brother-in-love, Lemuel Humes, sister Donna Reed and her child Tyler Mornéy and their father, Marsalas Morney, sister Andrea Reed-Elmore, husband and brother-in-love, Alan Elmore and their son, Phineas Elmore, aunt Rhonda
Balfour and her husband Ron Balfour, uncle Larry Roache, uncle James Miller, cousin, Nicole Anderson, cousin Nissim Grant and his daughter Nazya Grant, cousin Taneisha Cheatham Harrison, husband Sean Harrison and their children Sincere, Nicholas, Aria and Ernie Harrison, cousin Terril Cheatham, his wife Gia and their children, Tahj and Timeaus Cheatham, cousins Reginald Reed, Jay Reed, Sabrina Reed-English and Tosha Reed, sister-friend Cathy Johnson and her son Nathaniel Blaine, and uncle Herman Anderson and his wife Helen Anderson.

There is a host of family and friends King Doran loved and held close to his heart who will miss him dearly.

From his earliest days, King Doran was a shining example of love, kindness, and warmth. His smile could brighten even the darkest days, and his sense of humor was a constant source of joy. He had a unique way of making those
around him feel valued and loved.

King Doran was a loyal friend, a confidant, and a source of unwavering support. His compassion extended far beyond his immediate circle. Still, Family was at the center of his world. As a brother, he was steadfast and caring—a true companion through life’s many adventures. As a father, he celebrated triumphs and comforted others in times of sorrow. As a friend, his legacy endures in the countless memories we hold dear. We will remember his laughter echoing in our homes, filling our hearts.

King Doran enriched our lives and inspired those around him. He lived each day with intention and laughter. He will forever remain in our hearts.