Ossie Davis

Acting · Born 1917-12-18 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA

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

• Do the Right Thing as Da Mayor
• The Hill as Jacko King
• 12 Angry Men as Juror 2
• Malcolm X as Eulogy Performer (voice)
• Gladiator as Noah
• Doctor Dolittle as Archer Dolittle
• Jungle Fever as Reverend Purify
• Dinosaur as Yar (voice)
• Joe Versus the Volcano as Marshall
• Grumpy Old Men as Chuck

TV

• Third Watch as Mr. Parker
• The L Word as Melvin Porter
• Evening Shade as Ponder Blue
• Touched by an Angel as Gabriel
• Hawaii Five-O as Ramon Borelle
• JAG as Terrence Minnerly
• Hallmark Hall of Fame as Charles Carter
• The Stand as Judge Richard Farris
• Run for Your Life as Frankie Morton
• The Fugitive as Lt. Johnny Gaines