Ossie Davis

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.

Known for

HD

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

2022 ⭐ 6.5

HD

Deacons for Defense

2005 ⭐ 6.4

HD

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

2005 ⭐ 6.0

HD

Baadasssss!

2004 ⭐ 6.5

Career timeline

2022

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

Self (archive footage) · 2022

⭐ 6.5

2005

Deacons for Defense

Reverend 'Rev' Gregory · 2005

⭐ 6.4

The History Makers: Success

Self · 2005

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

Self · 2005

⭐ 6.0

2004

She Hate Me

Judge Buchanan · 2004

⭐ 5.2

Proud

Lorenzo DuFau · 2004

⭐ 4.7

Baadasssss!

Granddad · 2004

⭐ 6.5

2003

The Evolution of an American Filmmaker Notable

Self · 2003

⭐ 7.3

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

Himself · 2003

⭐ 6.3

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

2003

⭐ 5.2

2002

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

Self · 2002

Bubba Ho-tep

John F. "Jack" Kennedy · 2002

⭐ 6.5

2001

Feast of All Saints

Jean-Jacques · 2001

⭐ 4.8

Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore Notable

Narrator · 2001

⭐ 10.0

The Legend of the Candy Cane Notable

Julius (voice) · 2001

⭐ 9.0

2000

Here's to Life! Notable

Duncan Cox · 2000

⭐ 10.0

Dinosaur Notable

Yar (voice) · 2000

⭐ 6.6

Finding Buck McHenry Notable

Buck McHenry · 2000

⭐ 7.0

1999

The Unfinished Journey

Narrator (voice) · 1999

⭐ 6.5

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve Notable

Caretaker · 1999

⭐ 7.9

The Soul Collector Notable

Mordecai · 1999

⭐ 7.3

1998

Doctor Dolittle Notable

Archer Dolittle · 1998

⭐ 5.7

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood Notable

Self · 1998

⭐ 9.0

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist Notable

Self · 1998

⭐ 8.3

1997

12 Angry Men Notable

Juror 2 · 1997

⭐ 7.7

4 Little Girls Notable

Self - Actor and Playwright · 1997

⭐ 7.2

Miss Evers' Boys

Mr. Evers · 1997

⭐ 6.5

1996

I'm Not Rappaport

Midge Carter · 1996

⭐ 5.7

Get on the Bus

Jeremiah / 'Pop' · 1996

⭐ 6.4

1995

The Android Affair

Dr. Winston · 1995

⭐ 5.3

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder Notable

Uncle Phil · 1995

⭐ 7.0

1994

The Client Notable

Harry Roosevelt · 1994

⭐ 6.7

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice Notable

Uncle Phil · 1994

⭐ 10.0

Malcolm X: Make It Plain Notable

Self · 1994

⭐ 9.0

1993

Grumpy Old Men

Chuck · 1993

⭐ 6.7

Cop & ½

Detective in Squad Room · 1993

⭐ 4.6

Goin' Back to T-Town

Narrator · 1993

1992

Malcolm X Notable

Eulogy Performer (voice) · 1992

⭐ 7.6

The Real Malcolm X Notable

1992

⭐ 8.0

Gladiator Notable

Noah · 1992

⭐ 7.6

1991

Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker Notable

Self · 1991

⭐ 8.0

Jungle Fever

Reverend Purify · 1991

⭐ 6.4

1990

Joe Versus the Volcano

Marshall · 1990

⭐ 5.8

The Red Shoes Notable

1990

⭐ 10.0

1989

Do the Right Thing Notable

Da Mayor · 1989

⭐ 7.8

1988

School Daze

Coach Odom · 1988

⭐ 5.7

1986

Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

Anansi the Spider (Sleepytime · 1986

Frequently appears with

Louis Armstrong

Self (archive footage)

Nas

Self

Wynton Marsalis

Self

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Self (archive footage)

Orson Welles

Self (archive footage)

Forest Whitaker

Marcus Clay

Jonathan Silverman

Michael Deane

Chris Britton

William Chase

Tyrone Benskin

Archie

Full filmography

HD

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

2022 ⭐ 6.5

HD

Deacons for Defense

2005 ⭐ 6.4

HD

The History Makers: Success

2005

HD

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

2005 ⭐ 6.0

HD

She Hate Me

2004 ⭐ 5.2

HD

Proud

2004 ⭐ 4.7

HD

Baadasssss!

2004 ⭐ 6.5

HD

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

2004

HD

The Evolution of an American Filmmaker

2003 ⭐ 7.3

HD

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

2003 ⭐ 6.3

HD

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

2003 ⭐ 5.2

HD

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

2002

HD

Bubba Ho-tep

2002 ⭐ 6.5

HD

Feast of All Saints

2001 ⭐ 4.8

HD

Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore

2001 ⭐ 10.0

HD

The Legend of the Candy Cane

2001 ⭐ 9.0

HD

Here's to Life!

2000 ⭐ 10.0

HD

Dinosaur

2000 ⭐ 6.6

HD

Finding Buck McHenry

2000 ⭐ 7.0

HD

The Unfinished Journey

1999 ⭐ 6.5