ACTOR
Ossie Davis
- Known for
- Do the Right Thing (1989), Doctor Dolittle (1998), 12 Angry Men (1997), Jungle Fever (1991)
19 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
Ossie Davis is an actor best known for Do the Right Thing, Doctor Dolittle and 12 Angry Men.
All facts (19)
- #001
Ossie Davis was a prominent speaker at the funerals of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
- #002
His brother Dr. William Davis, a professor in San Antonio, Texas, holds several patents, one of which is the chemical process used to produce instant mashed potatoes.
- #003
He played the father of Jennifer Beals's character on The L Word (2004). His character, in a strong performance befitting his legacy, died in the episode L-Chaim (2005). It was his last performance before his death, and the episode was dedicated to his memory.
- #004
The county clerk misunderstood the dialect pronunciation of his mother's initials, "R. C.", when he was born. The clerk thought he heard "Ossie" and registered him that way. The name stuck.
- #005
During World War II, he served as a medical technician in the United States Army.
- #006
He and his wife Ruby Dee were awarded the National Medal of Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., in 1995.
- #007
In 2004, he received the Kennedy Center Honors along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and his wife Ruby Dee.
- #008
He had three children with Ruby Dee: Guy Davis, Nora Day and Hasna Muhammad.
- #009
He was nominated for a Broadway Tony Award twice: in 1958 for Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "Jamaica", and in 1970 as co-author of "Purlie", which was nominated for Best Musical.
- #010
He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).
- #011
He made his Broadway debut as a playwright in 1961 with "Purlie Victorious".
- #012
In 1989, he and his wife Ruby Dee were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
- #013
He was a liberal Democrat throughout his life.
- #014
He was the eldest of five children.
- #015
He lived in New Rochelle, New York.
- #016
He trained in drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem, New York.
- #017
In 1994, he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
- #018
He was the grandfather of Muta'Ali.
- #019
Turner Classic Movies dedicated its Summer Under the Stars programming on August 27, 2024, to the films of Ossie Davis.
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