Ossie Davis.

Ossie Davis — Actor

Born 18 Dec 1917 Cogdell, United States

Died 4 Feb 2005 Miami Beach, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 108 yr If Living

10 min read

Reading time

1,952

Words

Jun 28, 2026

Published

119

Film credits

7

Books

12

Awards

TL;DR

Ossie Davis delivered the eulogy at both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X’s funerals. He co-starred with his wife Ruby Dee in nine films, including Do the Right Thing 1989 and Jungle Fever 1991, and wrote the Broadway play Purlie Victorious in 1961. Davis received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004 and died at age 87 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Ossie Davis — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Aliases Ozzie Davis

Spouses: Ruby Dee
Children: Guy Davis
Siblings: William Conan Davis

At a glance.

STATS

Ossie Davis by the numbers — life, work, and family.

87 Years lived

119 Film credits

7 Books

12 Awards

1 Marriage

1 Child

Who was Ossie Davis?

BIOGRAPHY

Ossie Davis — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The oldest of five children, Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917, in Cogdell, Georgia. His birth name was Raiford Chatman Davis, but a county clerk misheard his mother’s dialectal pronunciation of his initials R.C. and registered him as Ossie. He studied drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem and later attended Howard University and Columbia University School of General Studies. His brother, Dr. William Conan Davis, was a professor and inventor who held patents including one for instant mashed potatoes.

Career

Davis made his Broadway debut as a playwright with Purlie Victorious in 1961. He earned Tony nominations for his acting in Jamaica 1958 and for co-writing the book for Purlie 1970. He appeared in television series such as Bonanza 1959, The Fugitive 1963, and Hawaii Five-O 1968. His film work includes Do the Right Thing 1989, Grumpy Old Men 1993, and Bubba Ho-Tep 2002. He also directed films and wrote for television. Davis was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and served as a medical technician in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Personal life

Davis married Ruby Dee on December 8, 1948, and they remained together until his death. They had three children: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad. The couple collaborated on many projects and were active in the civil rights movement. Davis was a lifelong liberal Democrat and lived in New Rochelle, New York. He died from natural causes on February 4, 2005, in Miami Beach, Florida, and his ashes are inurned at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

Legacy

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1995 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994 and the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in 1989. His final performance was on The L Word as Melvin Porter; the episode was dedicated to his memory. Turner Classic Movies dedicated August 27, 2024, to his films. Davis is remembered as an African American artist and activist who used his platform to advance racial equality.

Filmography.

FILMS · 119

The complete filmography of Ossie Davis — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

TV

Bonanza

1959

TV

The Fugitive

1963

TV

Hawaii Five-O

1968

TV

American Experience

1988

TV

Touched by an Angel

1994

TV

Run for Your Life

1965

TV

The Name of the Game

1968

TV

12 O'Clock High

1964

TV

Tony Awards

1956

TV

The Defenders

1961

TV

77 Sunset Strip

1958

TV

Kraft Television Theatre

1947

TV

American Masters

1986

Showing 14 of 119 View all 119 films

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 12

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Ossie Davis — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

National Medal of Arts
Marian Anderson Award
Daytime Emmy Award
James Parks Morton Interfaith Award
NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
Kennedy Center Honors
Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording
Paul Robeson Award
Coretta Scott King Award

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 7

Ossie Davis's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Just Like Martin

by Ossie Davis

Amazon

Purlie Victorious

by Ossie Davis

Amazon

With Ossie and Ruby

by Ossie Davis

Amazon

Langston, a Play

by Ossie Davis

Amazon

Life Lit by Some Large Vision

by Ossie Davis

Amazon

The People of Clarendon County

by Ossie Davis

Amazon

Maggie's American Dream

by James P. Comer et al.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 4

A wall of memorable lines from Ossie Davis — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

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.

Did you know?

FACTS · 24

Little-known facts about Ossie Davis — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Ossie Davis was a featured speaker at the funerals of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
His brother, Dr. William Davis, holds several patents including one for the chemical process to produce instant mashed potatoes.
Davis played the father of Jennifer Beals’ character on The L Word; his character died in the episode L-Chaim 2005, which was his final performance and was dedicated to his memory.
His birth name was Raiford Chatman Davis, but a county clerk misheard his mother’s dialectal pronunciation of R.C. and registered him as Ossie.
Served in the United States Army during World War II as a medical technician.
He 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.
He and Ruby Dee were awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1995.
Received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004 alongside Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty, and Ruby Dee.
Had three children: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad.
Twice nominated for Broadway Tony Awards: in 1958 for Jamaica, and in 1970 for co-writing Purlie.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Actors Branch.
Broadway debut as playwright with Purlie Victorious in 1961.
Lifelong liberal Democrat.
Named to NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame with his wife Ruby Dee in 1989.
Oldest of five children.
Lived in New Rochelle, New York.
Ashes inurned at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.
Studied drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem.
Sang with the Melloharps, who released I Love Only You on Tin Pan Alley in 1955.
Biography in The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives.
Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994.
Has seven grandchildren.
Grandfather of Muta’Ali.
Turner Classic Movies’ Summer Under the Stars dedicated August 27, 2024 to his films.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 37

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Ossie Davis.

When was Ossie Davis born?

The oldest of five children, Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia. His birth name was Raiford Chatman Davis.
Where was Ossie Davis born?

Ossie Davis was born in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. A small town in the state’s southern region. He grew up in a large family.
When did Ossie Davis die?

Ossie Davis died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida. He was 87 years old. His death was due to natural causes.
How old was Ossie Davis when he died?

Ossie Davis was 87 years old when he passed away on February 4, 2005. He was born in 1917 and lived a long and active life.
Where did Ossie Davis die?

Ossie Davis died in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. He was there at the time of his passing. His ashes are interred at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
How did Ossie Davis die?

Ossie Davis died of natural causes at his home in Miami Beach, Florida. He was 87 years old. No other details were released.
What did Ossie Davis do for a living?

Ossie Davis was an actor, writer, and director. He worked in film, television, and theater. He also wrote plays and directed movies.
What nationality was Ossie Davis?

Ossie Davis was American. He was born in the United States and held U.S. citizenship. He was a lifelong liberal Democrat.
What language did Ossie Davis speak?

Ossie Davis spoke English as his native language. He grew up in Georgia and later lived in New York.
Who was Ossie Davis married to?

Ossie Davis was married to Ruby Dee. They were married from December 8, 1948 until his death in 2005. They appeared together in nine films.
Did Ossie Davis have children?

Yes, Ossie Davis had three children with his wife Ruby Dee: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad. Guy Davis is a musician and actor.
Did Ossie Davis have siblings?

Yes, Ossie Davis had four siblings. His brother William Conan Davis was a professor and inventor. He also had a sister Essie and another brother Kenneth.
Where did Ossie Davis go to school?

Ossie Davis studied at Howard University and the Columbia University School of General Studies. He also studied drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem.
What awards did Ossie Davis win?

Ossie Davis won many awards including the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, a Grammy Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
How many awards did Ossie Davis win?

Ossie Davis won 13 major awards during his career, including the National Medal of Arts and Kennedy Center Honors. He also won a Grammy and multiple NAACP Image Awards.
What is Ossie Davis best known for?

Ossie Davis is best known for his roles in Do the Right Thing 1989, Grumpy Old Men 1993, and Bubba Ho-Tep 2002. He also wrote the play Purlie Victorious.
How tall was Ossie Davis?

Ossie Davis was 6 feet 2 inches 1.89 meters tall. He had a commanding presence on screen.
Did Ossie Davis have any aliases?

Ossie Davis was sometimes referred to as Ozzie Davis. This was a misspelling or variation of his name.
What was Ossie Davis's birth name?

Ossie Davis’s birth name was Raiford Chatman Davis. A clerk misheard his mother’s pronunciation of R.C. and registered him as Ossie.
Who were Ossie Davis's parents?

Ossie Davis’s parents were Kince Charles Davis and Laura Cooper Davis. His father was a railroad worker.
Did Ossie Davis have grandchildren?

Yes, Ossie Davis had seven grandchildren. One of his grandsons is named Muta’Ali.
Did Ossie Davis serve in the military?

Yes, Ossie Davis served in the United States Army during World War II as a medical technician.
What was Ossie Davis's final performance?

Ossie Davis’s final performance was on The L Word in the episode L-Chaim 2005. He played Melvin Porter, and the episode was dedicated to his memory.
What awards did Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee win together?

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee won the National Medal of Arts in 1995 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004. They were also inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in 1989.
Was Ossie Davis a civil rights activist?

Yes, Ossie Davis was a civil rights activist. He spoke at the funerals of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and he and Ruby Dee were prominent in the movement.
What is Ossie Davis's connection to The L Word?

Ossie Davis played Melvin Porter on The L Word, the father of Jennifer Beals’s character. His character died in the episode L-Chaim in 2005, which was his final on-screen role.
Where is Ossie Davis buried?

Ossie Davis’s ashes are inurned at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York. He rests there with other notable figures.
How many films did Ossie Davis appear in with his wife Ruby Dee?

Ossie Davis appeared with Ruby Dee in nine films, including No Way Out 1950, Do the Right Thing 1989, and Jungle Fever 1991.
What was Ossie Davis's Broadway debut?

Ossie Davis made his Broadway debut as a playwright with Purlie Victorious in 1961. He also performed in the musical Jamaica in 1958.
What is the origin of the name 'Ossie'?

The name Ossie came from a mishearing of his initials R.C. by a county clerk. His mother pronounced his initials with a Southern dialect, and the clerk registered him as Ossie.
Did Ossie Davis sing?

Yes, Ossie Davis sang with the Melloharps, a vocal group that released the song I Love Only You on Tin Pan Alley in 1955.
What political affiliation did Ossie Davis have?

Ossie Davis was a lifelong liberal Democrat. He was active in politics and civil rights causes.
What is Ossie Davis's legacy?

Ossie Davis is remembered as a pioneering African American actor, writer, and civil rights activist. His work in Do the Right Thing and his partnership with Ruby Dee left a lasting impact on American culture.
Did Ossie Davis win any Tony Awards?

Ossie Davis was nominated for two Tony Awards but did not win. He was nominated in 1958 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jamaica and in 1970 for co-writing the book for Purlie.
What television shows did Ossie Davis appear in?

Ossie Davis appeared in many TV shows, including Bonanza 1959, The Fugitive 1963, Hawaii Five-O 1968, Touched by an Angel 1994, and The L Word 2004.
When did Ossie Davis marry Ruby Dee?

Ossie Davis married Ruby Dee on December 8, 1948. They remained married for 56 years until his death in 2005.
What was Ossie Davis's first film?

Ossie Davis’s first film was No Way Out 1950, in which he co-starred with his wife Ruby Dee. He played a role in this early Hollywood film.

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Audited & updated by

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Published on June 28, 2026

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