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Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis, born Raiford Chatman Davis on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, was a towering figure in American entertainment and civil‑rights activism. From his early days with the Rose McClendon Players in 1939, he forged a career that spanned six decades, breaking racial barriers on Broadway, in Hollywood, and on television. His Broadway debut in Jeb (1946) led to a celebrated Tony nomination for Jamaica (1958) and the self‑written, self‑performed triumph Purlie Victorious (1961), a satirical farce that would become both a film and a musical. As a director, Davis broke new ground with seminal Blaxploitation classics such as Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Black Girl (1972) and Gordon's War (1973), while his acting credits ranged from the gravitas of The Hill (1965) to the comic timing of Grumpy Old Men (1993) and the cultural touchstone Do the Right Thing (1989). He earned an Emmy, a Grammy (shared with his wife Ruby Dee for Ossie and Ruby), multiple Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nod, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts (1995) and Kennedy Center Honors (2004). His voice work, ranging from Sesame Street’s Anansi to narrating documentaries, further showcased his versatile talent. In addition to his artistic achievements, Davis was a passionate activist, co‑hosting the 1963 March on Washington, delivering eulogies for Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., and remaining a steadfast advocate for civil‑rights causes throughout his life. His partnership with actress Ruby Dee, beginning with their marriage in 1948, produced three children and a collaborative legacy that blended art and advocacy. Davis’s death on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach marked the end of an era, but his indelible impact on theater, film, and social justice continues to inspire new generations.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Ossie Davis, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Ossie Davis rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Raiford Chatman Davis
Born: Cogdell, Georgia, U.S.
Citizenship: United States
Birthday: December 18, 1917
Occupations: actor, director, poet, playwright, author, activist
Years Active: 1939-2005
Children: 3
Spouses: Ruby Dee
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Ossie Davis
Baadasssss!
The Hill
Do the Right Thing
Jungle Fever
Get on the Bus
Bubba Ho-tep
Harry & Son
Finding Buck McHenry
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Feast of All Saints
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Deacons for Defense
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of ‘Malcolm X’
The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
The Red Shoes
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
The House of God
Death of a Prophet
Making ‘Do the Right Thing’
Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
Avenging Angel
Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
The Sheriff
King
Kongi’s Harvest
The Tenth Level
Sam Whiskey
Slaves
Night Gallery
Cotton Comes to Harlem
Malcolm X
The Fall
Lincoln
Let’s Do It Again
Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Black Girl
Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class
Cop & ½
Doctor Dolittle
Gordon’s War
Thomas Jefferson
Roots: The Next Generations
Freedom Road
Black Liberation
The Ernest Green Story
Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough
12 Angry Men
The Soul Collector
The Android Affair
Miss Evers’ Boys
Hot Stuff
A Vow to Cherish
A Man Called Adam
Alex Haley’s Queen
The Unfinished Journey
Gone Are the Days!
The West
Fourteen Hours
Wattstax
Hands of Inge
The Cardinal
No Way Out
Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Shock Treatment
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Ossie Davis, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2003
Bubba Ho-tep
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Himself
Deacons for Defense
Reverend 'Rev' Gregory
The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
Self
1999
The Soul Collector
Mordecai
A Vow to Cherish
Alexander Billman
The Unfinished Journey
Narrator (voice)
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Self
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Caretaker
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