Actress Ruby Dee 1922-2014 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 06-12-2014, 12:45 PM

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Stage and screen legend Ruby Dee, who personified grace, grit and progress at a time when African-American women were given little space in movies and on stage, died Wednesday in New Rochelle, N.Y. She was 91.

The death was confirmed Thursday by a family member, who declined to answer any questions pending the release of a statement.

The Cleveland-born, New York-raised actress and activist — winner of an Emmy, a Grammy and a Screen Actors Guild award, among others — not only starred on Broadway (“Take It From the Top!,’ “Two Hah Hahs and a Homeboy”), film (Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” and “Jungle Fever”), and TV (“All God’s Children,” “Feast of All Saints”), but, with her husband and collaborator Ossie Davis, was a major figure in the Civil Rights movement.

In 2005, Dee and Davis received the National Civil Rights Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Freedom award. Davis died in February of that year.

Dee’s first film role came in 1949, in the musical drama “That Man of Mine.” She played Rachel Robinson in “The Jackie Robinson Story” in 1950, and costarred opposite Nat King Cole, Eartha Kitt and Cab Calloway in “St. Louis Blues” (1958).

In 1961, she recreated her stage triumph as Ruth Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun,” opposite Sidney Poitier, her Broadway costar.

She appeared in the 1979 TV movie “Roots: The Next Generation,” and costarred with Davis in their own short-lived 1980-81 show, “Ossie and Ruby!”
Dee attended "The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross" in 2013. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Dee attended "The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross" in 2013.

The two played contentious neighbors who embodied, and recaled, the social unrest of the ’60s in Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” (1989). She earned her sole Academy Award nomination, for Best Supporting Actress, for “American Gangster” (2007).

Her final film was the still-in-production crime drama “King Dog,” opposite Ice-T.

Vahan · 06-12-2014, 12:46 PM

92. A great long and healthy life. Rest in peace

Zoneboy · 06-12-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vahan

92. A great long and healthy life. Rest in peace

Some sources are reporting 89 and others 91 which seems the more likely.

Penny Lane · 06-12-2014, 01:31 PM

RIP Miss Dee

MickeyMac · 06-12-2014, 01:58 PM

Sleep well, my lady.

AB · 06-12-2014, 03:06 PM

Rest in peace.

isiahthomas · 06-13-2014, 01:15 PM

Wow I didn't know she was that old and I didn't know she died. Now she can join her husband Ossie Davis. RIP Ruby. Last movie I saw her in was American Gangster with Denzel Washington. She was Denzel's mom.

06-12-2014, 12:45 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	Actress Ruby Dee 1922-2014 Link Stage and screen legend Ruby Dee, who personified grace, grit and progress at a time when African-American women were given little space in movies and on stage, died Wednesday in New Rochelle, N.Y. She was 91. The death was confirmed Thursday by a family member, who declined to answer any questions pending the release of a statement. The Cleveland-born, New York-raised actress and activist — winner of an Emmy, a Grammy and a Screen Actors Guild award, among others — not only starred on Broadway (“Take It From the Top!,’ “Two Hah Hahs and a Homeboy”), film (Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” and “Jungle Fever”), and TV (“All God’s Children,” “Feast of All Saints”), but, with her husband and collaborator Ossie Davis, was a major figure in the Civil Rights movement. In 2005, Dee and Davis received the National Civil Rights Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Freedom award. Davis died in February of that year. Dee’s first film role came in 1949, in the musical drama “That Man of Mine.” She played Rachel Robinson in “The Jackie Robinson Story” in 1950, and costarred opposite Nat King Cole, Eartha Kitt and Cab Calloway in “St. Louis Blues” (1958). In 1961, she recreated her stage triumph as Ruth Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun,” opposite Sidney Poitier, her Broadway costar. She appeared in the 1979 TV movie “Roots: The Next Generation,” and costarred with Davis in their own short-lived 1980-81 show, “Ossie and Ruby!” Dee attended "The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross" in 2013. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Dee attended "The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross" in 2013. The two played contentious neighbors who embodied, and recaled, the social unrest of the ’60s in Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” (1989). She earned her sole Academy Award nomination, for Best Supporting Actress, for “American Gangster” (2007). Her final film was the still-in-production crime drama “King Dog,” opposite Ice-T.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 06-12-2014 at 01:05 PM.

06-12-2014, 01:31 PM	#4
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,236	RIP Miss Dee
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

06-12-2014, 12:46 PM	#2
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	92. A great long and healthy life. Rest in peace

06-12-2014, 01:58 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Sleep well, my lady.

06-12-2014, 03:06 PM	#6
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Rest in peace.

06-13-2014, 01:15 PM	#7
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	Wow I didn't know she was that old and I didn't know she died. Now she can join her husband Ossie Davis. RIP Ruby. Last movie I saw her in was American Gangster with Denzel Washington. She was Denzel's mom.