OSSIE DAVIS

Ossie Davis
Gender: Male
Known for: Acting
Birthday: December 18, 1917
Deathday: February 4, 2005
Place of Birth: 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
Starring
Self (archive footage)
2006·
Folk BritanniaSelf (archival footage)
2004·
TV RevolutionNarrator
Himself - Narrator
1997·
Thomas JeffersonNarrator (voice)
1996·
The WestSelf / John R. Gills (voice), Self
1996·
Promised LandErasmus Jones
1995·
The ClientJudge Harry Roosevelt
1994·
Baseball(voice), Various (voice)
1994·
The StandJudge Richard Farris (credit only), Judge Richard Farris
1994·
Touched by an AngelErasmus Jones, Gabriel
1993·
Alex Haley's QueenParson Dick
1989·
B.L. StrykerOz Jackson
1988·
American ExperienceSelf - Harlem Resident
1986·
American MastersSelf
1983·
Reading RainbowSelf - Narrator (voice)
'Dad' Jones
1978·
KingRev. Martin Luther King Sr.
Self
1968·
The Name of the GameKubani
1965·
Run for Your LifeDave Corbett, Sgt. Dave Corbett, Frankie Morton
1964·
12 O'Clock HighMajor Glenn Luke
1963·
The FugitiveLt. Johnny Gaines
1961·
The DefendersDistrict Attorney Daniel Jackson, Assistant District Attorney, District Attorney, Officer Bond, Nixie
1959·
BonanzaSam Davis
The Emperor Jones
Self
2005·
Deacons for DefenseReverend 'Rev' Gregory
2005·
UnstoppableSelf
2005·
The Peace!Self
2004·
The L WordMelvin Porter
2004·
She Hate MeJudge Buchanan
2004·
ProudLorenzo DuFau
Self
2004·
Baadasssss!Granddad
Himself
Narrator
Self
2002·
Bubba Ho-tepJohn F. "Jack" Kennedy
Julius (voice)
2001·
Feast of All SaintsJean-Jacques
2000·
Here's to Life!Duncan Cox
2000·
Finding Buck McHenryBuck McHenry
2000·
DinosaurYar (voice)
1999·
Third WatchMr. Parker
Self
Narrator (voice)
1999·
A Vow to CherishAlexander Billman
Caretaker
1999·
The Soul CollectorMordecai
1999·
The Secret PathToo Tall
1998·
Doctor DolittleArcher Dolittle
Self
Narrator
1997·
4 Little GirlsSelf - Actor and Playwright
1997·
Miss Evers' BoysMr. Evers
1997·
12 Angry MenJuror 2
1996·
Get on the BusJeremiah
1996·
I'm Not RappaportMidge Carter
1995·
JAGTerrence Minnerly
Uncle Phil
1995·
The Android AffairDr. Winston
Uncle Phil
Self
1994·
The ClientHarry Roosevelt
Narrator
1993·
Cop & ½Detective in Squad Room
Grandfather
1993·
Grumpy Old MenChuck
1993·
Goin' Back to T-TownNarrator
1992·
The Real Malcolm X1992·
LincolnFrederick Douglas (voice)
1992·
GladiatorNoah
1992·
Malcolm XEulogy Performer (voice)
Self
1991·
Jungle FeverReverend Purify
1990·
Evening ShadePonder Blue
1990·
The Red ShoesMarshall
Self
1989·
Do the Right ThingDa Mayor
1988·
School DazeCoach Odom
Anansi the Spider (Sleepytime Songs and Stories) (voice)
Himself
1985·
Avenging AngelCapt. Harry Moradian
Narrator
1984·
The House of GodDr. Sanders
1984·
Harry & SonRaymond
Chuffy Russell
1981·
Death of a Prophet1980·
All God's ChildrenBlaine Whitfield
1979·
Freedom ManBenjamin Banneker
1979·
Freedom RoadNarrator
1979·
Hot StuffCaptain John Geiberger
Dr. Fredericks
1976·
Countdown at KusiniErnest Motapo
1976·
The Tenth LevelReed
Narrator
1975·
Let's Do It AgainElder Johnson
1973·
WattstaxSelf (uncredited)
1972·
Malcolm XEulogy (voice)
1971·
The SheriffJames Lucas
1970·
Kongi's HarvestNarrator
1969·
Night GalleryOsmond Portifoy
1969·
The Fall1969·
SlavesLuke
1969·
Teacher, TeacherCharles Carter
1969·
Sam WhiskeyJed Hooker
1968·
Hawaii Five-ORamon Borelle
Narrator
1968·
The ScalphuntersJoseph Lee
1967·
Now is the TimeSelf
1967·
Black LiberationNarrator
1967·
The OutsiderLt. Wagner
1966·
A Man Called AdamNelson Davis
Jason King (archive footage), Jason King (archival footage)
1965·
The HillJacko King
1964·
Shock TreatmentCapshaw
1963·
The Great AdventureJohn Ross
1963·
The CardinalFather Gillis
1963·
Gone Are the Days!Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson
1962·
Hands of IngeNarrator (voice)
1960·
John Brown's RaidDangerfield Newby
Charles Carter
1951·
Fourteen HoursCab Driver (uncredited)
1950·
No Way OutJohn Brooks (uncredited)
Production
1981·
PurlieMusical
1976·
Countdown at KusiniScreenplay, Director
1973·
Gordon's WarDirector
1972·
Black GirlDirector
Screenplay, Director
1970·
Kongi's HarvestDirector
1963·
East Side/West SideWriter
1963·
Gone Are the Days!Writer