Trivia

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.

Had appeared with Sidney Poitier in four films: No Way Out (1950), Edge of the City (1957), A Raisin in the Sun (1961) and Buck and the Preacher (1972).

1995: She and husband Ossie Davis were awarded the American National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Ruby was an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In early 2003, she and her husband signed "Not In My Name", a statement opposing the impending invasion of Iraq. Other signatories included Susan Sarandon, Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn.

1989: Voted into the NAACP image award Hall of Fame with husband Ossie Davis.

Lifelong friend of Marla Gibbs.

Had three children: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad.

Her ashes are inurned with Ossie at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

She was a member of the NAACP, CORE, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Southern Christian Leadership Council.

Ruby was one of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.

Grandmother of Muta'Ali.

Has seven grandchildren.

She appeared in two biopics of Jackie Robinson produced 40 years apart: The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) and The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson (1990). She played his wife Rachel Robinson in the former and his mother Mallie in the latter.

Had appeared with Sidney Poitier in four films: No Way Out (1950), Edge of the City (1957), A Raisin in the Sun (1961) and Buck and the Preacher (1972)." Also in "Go Man Go" (1954), as Poitier's wife.

Aunt of Tommy Wallace Jr..