Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis is a Broadway performer known for Purlie Victorious. Explore their Broadway credits, shows, and songs below.
Part of our Broadway Credits Database, a resource for musical theater fans.
About
Born Raiford Chatman Davis on December 18, 1917, in Cogdell, Clinch County, Georgia, Ossie Davis was the son of Laura and Kince Charles Davis. After attending Howard University, he joined the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem. During World War II, he served as a medical technician in the United States Army. He married actress and fellow civil rights activist Ruby Dee, and together they had three children: Guy, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad.
Film credits include "Do the Right Thing," "Malcolm X," "Dinosaur," "The Client," "Grumpy Old Men," "Doctor Dolittle," "Fourteen Hours," "Joe Versus the Volcano," "Jungle Fever," "Gladiator," "School Daze," and "She Hate Me." On television, he appeared in "The L Word," "Bonanza," "JAG," "Hawaii Five-O," "Third Watch," "Touched by an Angel," "The Fugitive," and "Night Gallery."
Among his many honors: he and Ruby Dee were named to the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in 1989. Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994. He and Ruby Dee received the American National Medal of the Arts in 1995. A Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special followed in 2001 for "Finding Buck McHenry." The Kennedy Center Honors came in 2004, again shared with Ruby Dee. Posthumously, the pair won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2007 for "With Ossie And Ruby: In This Life Together."
Ossie Davis delivered the eulogy at Malcolm X's funeral in 1965 and eulogized Dr. King in 1968. Broadway theater marquees were dimmed in his honor on February 4, 2005.
Personal Details
- Born
- December 18, 1917
- Hometown
- Cogdell, Georgia, USA
- Died
- February 4, 2005
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Ossie Davis?
- Ossie Davis is a Broadway performer known for Purlie Victorious. Born Raiford Chatman Davis on December 18, 1917, in Cogdell, Clinch County, Georgia, Ossie Davis was the son of Laura and Kince Charles Davis. After attending Howard University, he joined the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem. During World War II, he served as a medical technician in the United States...
- What shows has Ossie Davis appeared in?
- Ossie Davis has appeared in Purlie Victorious.
- What roles has Ossie Davis played?
- Ossie Davis has played roles as Performer, Writer, Source Material.
- Can I see Ossie Davis at Sing with the Stars?
- Sing with the Stars hosts invite only karaoke nights with real Broadway performers in NYC. Request an invite and let us know you'd love to sing with Ossie Davis. The more people who request someone, the more likely we are to make it happen.
Roles
Broadway Shows
Ossie Davis has appeared in the following Broadway shows:
Characters
View all 13 characters →Characters from shows Ossie Davis appeared in:
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