Ossie Davis
Biography
Raiford Chatman "Ossie" Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He may be best known for his roles in Spike Lee-directed films such as School Daze (1988) and Do the Right Thing (1989). Other films Davis acted in include The Hill (1965), A Man Called Adam (1966), Let's Do It Again (1975), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Grumpy Old Men (1993), The Client (1994), Dr. Dolittle (1998), Dinosaur (2000), and Bubba Ho-Tep (2002). He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, from 1948 until his death.
Filmography
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Love in Exile
2026
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (archive footage)
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The Peace!
2005
as Self
Deacons for Defense
2005
as Reverend 'Rev' Gregory
The History Makers: Success
2005
as Self
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Unstoppable
2005
as Self
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
2005
as Self
She Hate Me
2004
as Judge Buchanan
Proud
2004
as Lorenzo DuFau
Baadasssss!
2004
as Granddad
Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
2004
as Self
The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
2003
as Self
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The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars
2003
as Narrator
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
2003
as Himself
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
2003
Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
2002
as Self
Bubba Ho-tep
2002
as John F. "Jack" Kennedy
Feast of All Saints
2001
as Jean-Jacques
Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
2001
as Narrator
The Legend of the Candy Cane
2001
as Julius (voice)
Here's to Life!
2000
as Duncan Cox
Dinosaur
2000
as Yar (voice)
Finding Buck McHenry
2000
as Buck McHenry
The Unfinished Journey
1999
as Narrator (voice)