- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRuby Ann Wallace
- Height5′ 2¼″ (1.58 m)
- Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961).
She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), Do the Right Thing (1989), and American Gangster (2007).
Her film debut was That Man of Mine (1946).
For her performance as Mahalee Lucas in American Gangster (2007), she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. As of 2019, she stands as the second oldest nominee for Best Supporting Actress, behind Gloria Stuart who was 87 when nominated for her role in Titanic for the 70th Academy Awards, 1998.
Dee died on June 11, 2014, at her home in New Rochelle, New York, from natural causes at the age of 91.
- IMDb mini biography by: Pedro Borges
- SpousesOssie Davis(December 9, 1948 - February 4, 2005) (his death, 3 children)Frankie Dee Brown(August 31, 1941 - 1945) (divorced)
- Children
- ParentsGladys HightowerMarshall Edward Nathaniel Wallace
- RelativesTommy Wallace(Sibling)Tommy Wallace Jr.(Niece or Nephew)Muta'Ali(Grandchild)
- In 2008, at age 85, she became the second oldest actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. The oldest is Gloria Stuart.
- Says her favorite quote comes from the book, "Charlotte's Web": "'Isn't life peculiar!' said Jeremy. 'Compared to what?' said the spider.".
- Attended and graduated from Hunter College with degrees in French and Spanish in 1944.
- Had appeared with her husband Ossie Davis 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).
- 2004: Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and husband Ossie Davis.
- I didn't have the kind of talent or personality that kept me dreaming about Hollywood. They don't hire little colored girls to do this or that.
- I think you mustn't tell your body, you mustn't tell your soul, 'I'm going to retire', You may be changing your life emphasis, but there's still things that you have in mind to do that now seems the right time to do. I really don't believe in retiring as long as you can breathe.
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