Ossie Davis
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 (136 titles)
Love in Exile
2026
6.5MovieLouis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Self (archive footage) · 2022
Folk Britannia
Self (archival footage) · 2006
The Peace!
Self · 2005
6.4MovieDeacons for Defense
Reverend 'Rev' Gregory · 2005
MovieThe History Makers: Success
Self · 2005
Unstoppable
Self · 2005
6.0MovieBy Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
Self · 2005
5.2MovieShe Hate Me
Judge Buchanan · 2004
4.7MovieProud
Lorenzo DuFau · 2004
6.5MovieBaadasssss!
Granddad · 2004
TV Revolution
2004
MovieBeah: A Black Woman Speaks
Self · 2004
7.7ShowThe L Word
Melvin Porter · 2004
7.3MovieThe Evolution of an American Filmmaker
Self · 2003
The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars
Narrator · 2003
6.3MovieNat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Himself · 2003
5.2MovieUnchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
2003
MovieTheater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
Self · 2002
6.5MovieBubba Ho-tep
John F. "Jack" Kennedy · 2002
6.0ShowChristianity: The First Two Thousand Years
Narrator · 2002
4.8MovieFeast of All Saints
Jean-Jacques · 2001
10.0MovieNeighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
Narrator · 2001
9.0MovieThe Legend of the Candy Cane
Julius (voice) · 2001
10.0MovieHere's to Life!
Duncan Cox · 2000
6.6MovieDinosaur
Yar (voice) · 2000
7.0MovieFinding Buck McHenry
Buck McHenry · 2000
6.5MovieThe Unfinished Journey
Narrator (voice) · 1999
7.9MovieTrans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Caretaker · 1999
7.3MovieThe Soul Collector
Mordecai · 1999