Ossie Davis one of the most distinguished and honored black actors died Feb. 4, 2005. He is best known for his various roles in Spike Lee's movies (School Daze, Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever). But before those movies there was a career that spanned stage, radio and television.
Raiford Chatman Davis was born in Cogdell, GA, on December 18, 1917. After earning a degree at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University, he moved to New York to attempt a writing career and to study drama with Harlem's Rose McClendon Players. Despite his college diploma, Davis found work on the side in various menial jobs. He then spent a couple years in the military, where he penned and performed a few shows for the troops. After the war, he made his Broadway debut in 1946 appearing in Jeb Turner. It was a short-lived show, but it did serve to introduce him to his future wife, Ruby Dee, with whom he later hosted a radio and television show. By the 1950s, Davis had become a well-respected supporting actor.
-Sandra Brennan
Bill Clinton had this to say about Ossie. "He would have been a very good president of the United States."
I feel very lucky to have been able to see him perform. My heart goes out to his wife and soul mate Ruby Dee and the family. 87 years is a long time but for some it is not enough. Good bye Ossie thank you.
