Ruby Dee

1922 - 2014

Ruby Dee

1922 - 2014

BORN

1922

DIED

2014

Ruby Dee Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 12, 2014.
NEW YORK (AP) - For Ruby Dee, acting and activism were not contradictory things. They were inseparable and they were intertwined.

The African-American actress who earned lead roles in movies and on Broadway also spent her entire life fighting against injustice, even emceeing the 1963 March on Washington and protesting apartheid in South Africa.

"We are image makers. Why can't we image makers become peacemakers, too?" she asked after she and her husband Ossie Davis accepted the Screen Actors Guild Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2000.

Celebrating love stories like Ruby's and Ossie's: Celebrity Sweethearts Slideshow

That legacy of entertaining and pushing for change - in addition to her epic love affair with Davis - made Dee, who died at age 91 in her New Rochelle, New York, home on Wednesday night, a beloved figure in America and beyond.

As a sign of how influential Dee has been to generations of performers, she was thanked twice from the podium at this Sunday's Tony Awards - by six-time winner Audra McDonald and n ew Tony winner director Kenny Leon.

"She will be missed but never forgotten as she lives on in many of us," Leon said in a statement Thursday, noting that Dee's passing came just weeks after the death of Maya Angelou. "Maya and Ruby leave us only days apart - those two women with four letter names instructed us on how to live."

Dee's long career earned her an Emmy, a Grammy, two Screen Actors Guild awards, the NAACP Image Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Art, and the National Civil Rights Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award. She got an Oscar nomination at age 83 for best supporting actress for her role in the 2007 film "American Gangster."

The Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday called her "a phenomenally rare artist and a jewel to our nation and community," and director Spike Lee took to Instagram to say he was "crushed." He said it was one of his "great blessings in life to work with two of the finest artists and activists - Ruby and Ossie."

Dee made her Broadway debut in the original production of "South Pacific" and in 1959 starred in the Broadway premiere of "A Raisin in the Sun," Lorraine Hansberry's landmark play about black frustration amid racial discrimination, opposite Sidney Poitier. Both reprised that role in the film two years later.

Davis and Dee, who met in 1945 when she auditioned for the Broadway play "Jeb," and married on a day off from another play in 1948, shared billing in 11 stage productions and five movies during long parallel careers.

But they were more than a performing couple. They were also activists who fought for civil rights, particularly for blacks. "We used the arts as part of our struggle," she said in 2006.

Along with film, stage and television, their richly honored careers extended to a radio show, "The Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Story Hour," that featutred a mix of black themes. Davis directed one of their joint film appearances, "Countdown at Kusini" (1976) .

As young performers, they participated in the growing movement for social and racial justice in the United States. They were friends with barrier-breaking baseball star Jackie Robinson and his wife, Rachel - Dee played her, opposite Robinson himself, in the 1950 movie, "The Jackie Robinson Story" - and with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. Both spoke at both the funerals for King and Malcom X.

Their activism never waned. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by helping to launch the 30th-anniversary celebration of the University of Iowa Black Action Theatre and in 1999, were arrested protesting the shooting death of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed African immigrant, by New York City police.

In 1998, the pair also released a dual autobiography, "With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together."

Dee and Davis, who died in 2005, were celebrated as national treasures when they received the National Medal of Arts in 1995 and got a Lifetime Achi evement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2000. In 2004, she and Davis received Kennedy Center Honors. Another honor came in 2007 when the recording of their memoir won a Grammy for best spoken word album.

Born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, Dee moved to Harlem with her family as an infant. She attended her first protests as a child, joining picket lines to rail against discriminatory hiring practices.

She graduated from a highly competitive high school and enrolled in college but longed to act.

"I wanted to be an actor but the chances for success did not look promising," she wrote in their joint autobiography.

But in 1940 she got a part in a Harlem production of a new play, "On Strivers Row," which she later called "one giant step" to becoming a person and a performer.

In 1965, she became the first black woman to play lead roles at the American Shakespeare Festival. She won an Obie Award for the title role in Athol Fugard's "Boesman and Lena " and a Drama Desk Award for her role in "Wedding Band."

On television, Dee was a leading cast member on the soap operas "Guiding Light" and "Peyton Place," a rare sight for a black actress in the 1950s and 60s. As she aged, her career did not ebb. Dee was the voice of wisdom and reason as Mother Sister in Lee's 1989 film, "Do the Right Thing," alongside her husband. She won an Emmy as supporting actress in a miniseries or special for 1990's "Decoration Day."

Most recently, Dee performed her one-woman stage show, "My One Good Nerve: A Visit With Ruby Dee," in theaters across the country. The show was a compilation of some of the short stories, humor and poetry in her book of the same title.

She is survived by three children: Nora, Hasna and Guy, and seven grandchildren. Her family and friends surrounded her when she died, Nora Davis Day said.

"We have had her for so long and we loved her so much," Day told The Associated Press. "We gave her our permiss ion to set sail. She opened her eyes, closed her eyes and away she went."

___

AP Writer Karen Matthews contributed to this report.

MARK KENNEDY, AP Drama Writer




Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Ruby Dee's Guest Book

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September 9, 2019

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May 2, 2019

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November 8, 2018

Minny posted to the memorial.

321 Entries

September 9, 2019

We loved you Ms. Ruby Dee.

May 2, 2019

We loved you

Minny

November 8, 2018

Thank you

August 5, 2017

LOVE YOU so much Ruby Dee thank you for being a champion not just for our people but all people you will be truly missed! LOVE AND BLESSINGS your impact and light will never dim.

Truly, CDJ, NBNY!

P C

October 27, 2016

Happy birthday to the great, the amazing Ruby Dee. I never met you but I know you were an amazing woman and I hope that both you and Ossie are enjoying your life in the afterlife.

Valenda Newell

June 26, 2016

What a ICON? With all due respect the BEST of the BEST...she had the look, the husband and she had TRUE ACTING ABILITY!...Ruby you were truly an superb ACTRESS, you gave us your all....Many blessings..RIP...MY SISTER

DR. GLORIA HEARN RUFFINS

January 28, 2016

WHAT A DIFFERENCE ONE LIFE MADE. REST IN PEACE DIVA RUBY DEE.

December 3, 2015

Love you love you

Sparkle Hopson

June 12, 2015

Rest in paradise ruby you will be missed

Lena Williams

February 1, 2015

Rest in peace.

friend of

January 31, 2015

Release you with open arms in heaven.

November 20, 2014

A lovely and fascinating civil rights activist and actress. You will be missed but not soon forgotten. I hope God Almighty comforts your family. 2 Cor. 1:3-7.

Bertie H

October 4, 2014

A classy actress in her own right who will be sadly missed. May the God of comfort help your family in this stressful time.Psalm 83:18

faye daley

September 24, 2014

Love u an ur husband God love u all best sip

September 24, 2014

I shall miss that beautiful voice, warmth, fight for civil rights, and contributions to the theater and film world. Guy, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. My prayers and thoughts through this very tough period . Your mother was a great person, and she shall live on in my heart forever. Stay strong...
James Warden

necey robinson

September 22, 2014

Rest in. peace

Ursula Salley

September 21, 2014

You will be very missed,such a beautiful lady...r.I.p

linda davis

September 19, 2014

Beautiful respectable lady u truly missed

September 16, 2014

My heartfelt condolences to Guy Davis and all of Ruby Dee's family and loved ones, and I pray she can rest in peace forever -- she gave so much of herself for so long. Sincerely,
Sundra Jean (“Sunny”) Williams

LAWRENCE GREENE

September 6, 2014

WE REMEMBER RUBY/OSSIE FROM MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY; UNDER THEN THE DIRECTOR, DR. NATHAN CARTER, ALL RETIRED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.
CLASS OF 1991

La Tonya M

August 24, 2014

R.I.P. Your light will truly be missed. You were a great inspiration to all. The love you had, for injustice, for your people will truly be missed! I pray that Ossie Davis and your memory live on through others. Will have you both in my heart forever...

Roslyn D. Williams

August 19, 2014

Our shining light has dimmed take your rest and I'm sure your reward. You were more than a great actor, you were Mother, Love, Peace, Strength and Grace. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Alma Straw

August 19, 2014

RUBY DEE YOU ALWAYS INSPIRED THE BEST IN PEOPLE YOUR SPIRIT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER... NOW YOU AND OSSIE ARE ON THAT BIG STAGE IN SKY TOGETHER AGAIN.

REA

August 1, 2014

Ruby Dee was truly an amazing person with so much talent the loss is clearly ours. Prayers fill our hearts while singing praises to God asking him to let us never forget the love we have for this wonderful person gone from our lives never forgetting the joy we shared experiencing a great and authentic talent. Hebrews 6:10.

Gloria Dabbs-Mann

July 22, 2014

Dear Ms. Dee thank you for your contribution to film and the Civil Rights Movement of Black Americans!

Rachel Harris

July 20, 2014

RIP Mrs. Ruby! You will be missed but never forgotten.

JR Mack

July 19, 2014

You left your mark all over this world, and it will never be the same because you showed up....truly a life well lived!

George Evans

July 14, 2014

Rest In Peace!!! You will be truly missed.Love u forever.

George Evans

July 14, 2014

Rest In Peace!!! You will be truly missed.

George Evans

July 14, 2014

You will truly be missed.

Cathy J

July 14, 2014

I will always remember the beautiful smile and caring heart.That you and your family shared with us just seeing you all for so many years. Has inspired me and my husband to want to be like you all happily in love till death do us part. You are 1 in a million you will be deeply missed here on earth. I know you are still smiling in heaven rest on beautiful QUEEN.

Kimani

July 5, 2014

Job well done Ms.Dee. I am sure Our Lord is pleased! R.I.H.....

July 2, 2014

“For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." Isaiah 65:17. Comforting words to help us appreciate God's willingness to rectify our losses, allay our fears, and diminish evil acts of any kind here to come forever.

Lee Worley

July 2, 2014

Love you Ruby forever you and Ossie were my heroes you carried great strenghth for our brothers and sisters.I will always celebrate your energy and your life.

Mary Marshall

July 1, 2014

Ruby Dee and her beloved Ossie Davis are together again for all eternity. Together they spoke for so many whose voices might never be heard. The world is better because of their support for human, civil and social rights for all people. Condolences to the family. Rest in Glory Ruby and Ossie.

Zenith Marie Upshaw

June 30, 2014

I am sadden by the passing of Ruby Dee, she was a great actress and even greater activist for human rights. I would like to offer my condolence to Ms. Dee's family. May she rest in peace rest in peace in the loving arms of Christ our Lord.

Edwina Wilson

June 30, 2014

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Alexis Nelson

June 29, 2014

We were ALL Blessed by your spirit and your gifts. You and your Soul Mate, the Great Ossie Davis have comforted my soul throughout my life. You both will remain in my heart and prayes forever! Im comforted knowing that the two of you are now our Angels...

EDWARD KEETON

June 29, 2014

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Joyanne O'Connor

June 28, 2014

Rest in peace with your beloved Ossie.

Lorna Wilson

June 27, 2014

In memory of the great life...the spirit lives on.

Geraldine Matthews

June 25, 2014

Mrs. Dee and Ossie Davis inspired me for life. I was an early college student at Washington University and Mrs. Dee came to St. Louis and was always transparent and down to earth. She is a bridge that has carried me over. God bless you family.

June 24, 2014

Your legacy will be felt forever...

John X. Lewis
Torrance, CA

June 24, 2014

To The Dee Family
Dear Family,
I celebrate the life and legacy of your Beloved with you. Ms Dee was an angel on loan to us and she used her talents, treasures and time to transform humanity. She will be greatly missed. May your hearts not be troubled as you believe to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I shall keep you in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Reverend Edith M. Shokes
Atlanta, Georgia

teresa matthew

June 24, 2014

God has received a angle she was a beautiful lady !!! I remember her growing up her and her husband so much class!!! Praying for the family!!!

Debra Harris

June 23, 2014

Good bless you.

June 23, 2014

the greatest of all times, Luv You very much, Taylor of Tennessee

June 22, 2014

A very strong and powerful woman. Rest in peace.You will be missed.

Erica

June 21, 2014

She was a inspiration to a lot of people and Ms.Ruby Dee will definitely be missed. I pray that God's Holy Spirit be with the family to help strengthen them at this hard time.

Lorraine Thompson

June 21, 2014

My thought and prayer goes out to the family at this time. Rest in peace Ruby Dee.

Eunice D.

June 20, 2014

What a beautiful love story and life story Ruby Dee and her husband had! They saw the need for equality and justice, and their belief in this Godly principle was a motivating force in their lives. In harmony with this, a wise man once wrote; “I perceive to a certainty that God is not partial, but in every nation he who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him."

Tina Webb

June 20, 2014

Ms Ruby, thank you for being such a great example of excellence in our community and in my life. Rest in peace. we love you
Tina Webb (Ft. Lauderdal, L)

PE

June 20, 2014

With deepest sympathy to the Davis Family;
May the Hearer of Prayer grant you strength, courage and teh sweetest peacee during your time of sorrow. And may you always cherish the many fond memories of times spent with Mrs. Ruby Dee.

Diane Welburn

June 19, 2014

Rest in Peace, Ms Dee.

Abbi Tubbs

June 19, 2014

I have always admired and appreciated Mrs. Davis as well as her husband the late Ossie Davis. God bless.

Abbi Tubbs

June 19, 2014

I have always admired and appreciated Mrs. Davis as well as her husband the late Ozzie Davis. God bless.

Ms.stones

June 19, 2014

Ms Ruby Dee you shined like gold, reminising your guest appearance on The Golden Girls the level of your craft were capture manificently, everything you touched turned to GOLD...rest in peace Ms. Dee . Sadly missed.

Minister Troy L Freeman

June 18, 2014

You will be well missed your Glamour and Passion of Life R.I.P. Minister Troy L. Freman & Family! you may be gone but never forgotten Love you Ruby Dee

MARCHELLE GRANT

June 18, 2014

I LOVED YOU IN EVERY MOVIE YOU EVER ACTED IN. YOU ARE A VERT CLASSY LADY I LOVE YOU RUDY DEE!!!!! REST IN PEACE!!!

RR

June 18, 2014

My deep condolences

In the near future God promises to put an complete end to death

Eva Rivers

June 18, 2014

May your beautiful smile give us comfort and your soul rest in peace.- Eva M. D. Rivers-Statesboro Ga.

K Johnson

June 18, 2014

My Condolences....

June 18, 2014

R.I.P Ms Ruby Dee

Alice Bowens

June 18, 2014

When I graduated from Harriet Beecher Stowe aka PS 136, along with PS 139, in June of 1963 Ruby Dee was our Mistress of Ceremony at Riverside Church in NYC. I will always remember how proud I was that such a woman found the time to speak at our graduation about the importance of education and our futures. She was and always will be an inspiration.

Sandy Richardson

June 17, 2014

I was blessed to have met her and talked her. Mrs Ruby Dee talk to me like I was friend she knew for a long time. She didn't think she was better then Me ,It was blessing to talk to her. I met her at a book signing. We talked again at the Apollo on two occasions. May God bless your family with strength to hold on. A Queen went to meet her King again

donald seymore

June 17, 2014

Rest in heaven ruby dee

EARL MCKINNEY

June 17, 2014

THE LORD HAS SPOKEN,WE SEND MUCH LOVE KEEP LOOKING UP

Rita Haynes

June 17, 2014

The Lord called a beautiful angel home. You & Ossie are together again. God bless you & your family. RIP LADY DEE

The Carters

June 17, 2014

Ruby Dee left a legacy of great value, a respectable model to guide our steps, and a love story that epitomized true commitment. It is sad to say that we are losing all our valuable role models who were self-defined women, women of principle, women who had something of value to share. Thank goodness we still have Almighty God's word to guide us through life's paths. (Psalm 119:105). My heartfelt condolences to her children and grandchildren left behind; my family and I feel so indebted to both Ruby and her husband for their presence and the wisdom they have imparted!

GwenDolyn Yarboroughall

June 17, 2014

To the family...
Imagine the reunion...Ossie waiting to escort his Ruby into eternal life with God. Oh, what a rejoicing that will be. Now, her spirit is free to be!

Thank you Father God for creating such a wonderful person to be on this earth who shared the gifts you gave her to us all.

Essie Love

June 17, 2014

This was one classy Lady. Rest In Peace Ruby, and thanks for a job well done. showing what one person can do.

June 17, 2014

Ruby Dee was a pillar in our community that can never be replaced. Julia Preston, Evergreen Park, IL

Rev. Belinda M. Curry

June 17, 2014

R.I.P. Mrs. Ruby Dee.

I have been inspired by your work to make this world a better place for all people.

Nikita Hawkins

June 17, 2014

Ruby Dee and Ossie, I've always said they had the best relationship. The love poured off the screen, I remember them in Spike Lee's movie. She will be missed. Warm thoughts to the Delta's in honor of your sister.

Sandra Hollinger

June 17, 2014

Words cannot express how much you will be missed! Grew up with you since 1953. Heaven has gained an angel!

Hattie

June 17, 2014

The creator of comfort will bri ng comfort . To you snd youv.b

Zeus W.

June 17, 2014

Rest In Peace, beloved Ruby. Your works have made "the" difference. All you have done, is to make us all proud!!! Peace & Blessings to the Family...

lashondra cook

June 16, 2014

She will b so miss. God bless u all

Jan

June 16, 2014

RIP Ruby Dee. Thoughts & prayers for your family. Your phenomenal talent, radiant smile, love of humanity were an inspiration to all, no matter color, ethnicity or creed. The love & respect that you & Ozzie Davis showed for one another was beautifully touching & sooo sweet. United now in Heaven, you both will share your love, kindness & indomitable spirit with the angels. God bless you.

Kathy & Buddy & Our Cat Family

June 16, 2014

Forever in our hearts....we love you....prayers for the family

Darya Flagg-Moore

June 16, 2014

Deepest Sympathies to the Family! We have lost one of our brightest LIGHTS! Let us strive to continue her legacy. Let not all she has done be in vain! This was an incredible Black and we honor her in passing, as we have done so in living! Pay attention young Black Women of America! This is how you should aspire to live your lives!!!! Our beloved Ruby Dee has passed on but her light will forever shine!

M. Louise

June 16, 2014

Ecclesiastes 3:12 tells us that it is good to rejoice and to do good during one's life.

Elaine Ellis

June 16, 2014

This is a new beginning. A journey we must all take.

June 16, 2014

MAY THE LOVE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER TOUCH THE LIVES OF ALL WHO KNEW AND LOVED MS.RUBY DEE..DEATH IS NEVER EASY,BUT OUR FATHER HAS THAT WELL IN HAND.HE HAS SAID THAT HE WILL CALL,THE DEAD WILL ANSWER...JON.5:28,29.....DEE

Carolyn Murray

June 16, 2014

To The Family,
Ms. Ruby Dee will forever live in our hearts & minds, another beautiful black star of a life time has gone to the land of milk & honey with GOD. Her & her beloved Ozzie Davis are once again united in the eternal hereafter. RIP Ms. Dee, we will miss you.

Donna Shepherd

June 16, 2014

To the Family, Sorry to hear about the loss of this great lady. She was such a good actress with a voice that I love to hear when she spoke. May the Lord give you comfort during this time of sorrow. A fan........

Vivian

June 16, 2014

A remakable WOMAN!

J. M. Carroll

June 16, 2014

Rest in Peace Ms Ruby Dee.
May God bless your family.
We have lost another Legend,
and will miss her dearly.

PAMALA/CHARLES FIZER

June 16, 2014

**OUR**SINCERE**
**CONDOLENCES**TO**THE**FAMILY**OF**MRS**OSSIE**DAVIS**RUBY**DEE
**MUCH**LOVE**

Debra Hawkins

June 16, 2014

Lovely, Lovely Woman, who lived her life with integrity, respect and devotion. No one finer than Ms. Ruby Dee. We all should be honored that we were graced with her presence. Beautiful she was.

Wilma Scott

June 16, 2014

Another Legion Has Slipped Away From Among Us! Your Legacy Will Forever Live On Through Your Great Works! Sleep In Peace! You Are Now Reunited To The Love Of Your Life Externally! Gone But Never, Ever Forgotten!

Xaviera Patrick

June 16, 2014

Another legend lost but I'm glad to have witnessed the love you and your dear husband shared for one another. I appreciate you fighting for rights and opportunities for our African American community. May you rest peacefully beautiful soul.

David Bilby

June 16, 2014

An inspiration to all! Rest In Peace.

Carol Jenkins

June 16, 2014

You will be missed you were one of a kind love always sleep on

June 16, 2014

God I'd opening his hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16

June 16, 2014

We have lost a true treasure. My hope and prayer is that your family find some comfort during this time of lost.

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September 9, 2019

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