Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

Ruby Dee - Biography Born October 27, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA Died June 11, 2014 in New Rochelle, New York, USA (natural causes) Birth Name Ruby Ann Wallace Height 5' 2¼" (1.58 m) Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961). She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), Do the Right Thing (1989), and American Gangster (2007). 2004: Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty, and husband Ossie Davis. Her film debut was That Man of Mine (1946). For her performance as Mahalee Lucas in American Gangster (2007), she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. As of 2019, she stands as the second oldest nominee for Best Supporting Actress, behind Gloria Stuart who was 87 when nominated for her role in Titanic for the 70th Academy Awards, 1998. Dee died on June 11, 2014, at her home in New Rochelle, New York, from natural causes at the age of 91. Spouse (2) Ossie Davis (December 1948 - 4 February 2005) (his death) (3 children) Frankie Dee Brown (31 August 1941 - 1945) (divorced) 1989: Voted into the NAACP image award Hall of Fame with husband Ossie Davis. She was a member of the NAACP, CORE, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Southern Christian Leadership Council. Says her favorite quote comes from the book, "Charlotte's Web": "'Isn't life peculiar!' said Jeremy. 'Compared to what?' said the spider.". Ruby was an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Had three children: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad. 1995: She and her husband Ossie Davis were awarded the American National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C. Attended and graduated from Hunter College with degrees in French and Spanish in 1944. In 2008, at age 85, she became the second oldest actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. The oldest is Gloria Stuart. Ruby was one of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008. In early 2003, she and her husband signed "Not In My Name", a statement opposing the impending invasion of Iraq. Other signatories included Susan Sarandon, Noam Chomsky, and Howard Zinn. A lifelong friend of Marla Gibbs. Had appeared with Sidney Poitier in four films: No Way Out (1950), Edge of the City (1957), A Raisin in the Sun (1961), and Buck and the Preacher (1972). Had appeared with her husband Ossie Davis in nine films: No Way Out (1950), Gone Are the Days! (1963), The Sheriff (1971), Cool Red (1976), Roots: The Next Generations (1979), All God's Children (1980), Do the Right Thing (1989), Jungle Fever (1991), and The Stand (1994). Grandmother of Muta'Ali Muhammad. Aunt of Tommy Wallace Jr.. Had appeared with Sidney Poitier in four films: No Way Out (1950), Edge of the City (1957), A Raisin in the Sun (1961), and Buck and the Preacher (1972)." Also in "Go Man Go" (1954), as Poitier's wife. Her ashes are inurned with Ossie at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York. Personal Quotes (2) I didn't have the kind of talent or personality that kept me dreaming about Hollywood. They don't hire little colored girls to do this or that. I think you mustn't tell your body, you mustn't tell your soul, 'I'm going to retire', You may be changing your life emphasis, but there are still things that you have in mind to do that now seems the right time to do. I really don't believe in retiring as long as you can breathe.

Ossie Davis Born December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA Died February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA (natural causes) Birth Name Raiford Chatman Davis Height 6' 2¼" (1.89 m) Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA as Raiford Chatman Davis. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). He was married to Ruby Dee. He died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Spouse (1) Ruby Dee (9 December 1948 - 4 February 2005) ( his death) ( 3 children) Trade Mark (1) Deep commanding voice Named to NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame with his wife, Ruby Dee, in 1989. The county clerk misunderstood his mother's dialectal pronunciation of his initials "R.C." when he was born. He thought he heard "Ossie" and registered him as such. The name stuck. Was a featured speaker at the funeral of both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Lived in New Rochelle, New York. Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004, along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and wife Ruby Dee. Had three children his with Ruby Dee: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad. Was the oldest of five children. His brother, Dr. William Davis, a professor in San Antonio, TX, holds several patents, one of which is for the chemical process to produce instant mashed potatoes. Twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1958 as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "Jamaica", and in 1970 as co-author of the book for Best Musical nominee "Purlie". Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch). He and his wife Ruby Dee were awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1995 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C. Had played the father of Jennifer Beals' character on The L Word (2004). In a powerful performance, fitting of his legacy, his character died in the episode, The L Word: L-Chaim (2005). This was his final performance before his own death, and the episode was dedicated to his memory. Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 128-130. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007. Broadway debut as playwright with "Purlie Victorious" in 1961. Studied drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem, New York City. Served in the United States Army during World War II as a medical technician. Had appeared with his wife Ruby Dee in nine films: No Way Out (1950), Gone Are the Days! (1963), The Sheriff (1971), Cool Red (1976), Roots: The Next Generations (1979), All God's Children (1980), Do the Right Thing (1989), Jungle Fever (1991) and The Stand (1994). Grandfather of Muta'Ali Muhammad. Sang with the Melloharps, a vocal group, who had "I Love Only You" on Tin Pan Alley 145 in 1955. His ashes are inurned at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York. He was a lifelong liberal Democrat. Personal Quotes (4) College ain't so much where you been as how you talk when you get back. Struggle is strengthening. Battling with evil gives us the power to battle evil even more. Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change--it can not only move us, it makes us move. I find, in being black, a thing of beauty: a joy; a strength; a secret cup of gladness.