Ruby Dee
Acting
Ruby Dee (October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist. She originated the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun. Her other notable film roles include The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Do the Right Thing (1989) and American Gangster (2007).
Known for
Acting120
tvHollywood Black
2024
Self (archive footage)
moviePoitier's Walter Lee
2018
Self (archive footage)
movieBetty and Coretta
2013
Narrator
movieA Thousand Words
2012
Annie McCall
movieVideo Girl
2011
Valerie
movieA Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School
2009
Narrator (voice)
movieAmerica
2009
Mrs. Harper
movieSteam
2007
Doris
movieAmerican Gangster
2007
Mama Lucas
movieAll About Us
2007
Ms. Ella
movieNo. 2
2006
Nanna Maria
movieTheir Eyes Were Watching God
2005
Nanny / Elizabeth Keckley
movieTV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
(archive footage)
movieTaking Back Our Town
2001
Emelda West
movieFeast of All Saints
2001
Elsie Claviere
tvCSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
Mary Wilson
movieFinding Buck McHenry
2000
Mrs. Henry
movieA Storm in Summer
2000
Grandmother
movieThe Unfinished Journey
1999
Narrator (voice)
movieHaving Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
1999
Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany
moviePassing Glory
1999
Mommit Porter
movieThe Wall
1998
Mrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge")
movieA Simple Wish
1997
Hortence
movieSports on the Silver Screen
1997
Self (archive footage)
tvHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
Grandma (voice)
movieJust Cause
1995
Evangeline Ferguson
tvTouched by an Angel
1994
LaBelle Springbelt
movieWhitewash
1994
Grandmother (voice)
tvThe Stand
1994
Mother Abagail Freemantle
movieAfter Goodbye
1993
Narrator
movieCop & ½
1993
Rachel
movieThe Ernest Green Story
1993
Lydia Wilson
tvMiddle Ages
1992
Estelle Williams
movieColor Adjustment
1992
Narrator
movieJazztime Tale
1991
Narrator (voice)
movieJungle Fever
1991
Lucinda Purify
movieDecoration Day
1990
Rowena
movieThe Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
1990
Jackie's Mother
movieLove at Large
1990
Corrine Dart
movieZora is My Name!
1990
Zora Neale Hurston
movieDo the Right Thing
1989
Mother Sister
tvAmerican Experience
1988
Narrator (voice)
tvThe Golden Girls
1985
Mammy Watkins
tvThe Atlanta Child Murders
1985
Faye Williams
movieGo Tell It on the Mountain
1984
Mrs. Grimes
tvReading Rainbow
1983
Self - Narrator (voice)
movieLong Day's Journey Into Night
1982
Mary Tyrone
movieCat People
1982
Female
tvAmerican Playhouse
1982
Mrs. Grimes / Zora Neale Hurston
movieAll God's Children
1980
Irene Whitfield
movieI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
1979
Grandmother Baxter
tvRoots: The Next Generations
1979
Queen Haley
movieCountdown at Kusini
1976
Leah Matanzima
movieWedding Band
1974
Julia Augustine
movieIt's Good to Be Alive
1974
Ruth Campanella
Chelsea D.H.O.
1973
Dr. Bianca Pearson
movieBlack Girl
1972
Netta's mother
movieTo Be Young, Gifted and Black
1972
Lorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters
On Merit
1972
Narrator (voice)
movieThe Sheriff
1971
Sue Ann Lucas
movieKing: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
1970
Self (archive footage)
movieDeadlock
1969
Lucinda
movieUptight
1968
Laurie
tvThe Dick Cavett Show
1968
Self - Guest
movieThe Incident
1967
Joan Robinson
Neighbours
1966
Vicky Kingsbury
tvThe Great Adventure
1963
Harriet Tubman
tvThe Fugitive
1963
Laura Smith
movieGone Are the Days!
1963
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
movieThe Balcony
1963
Thief
tvThe Defenders
1961
Catherine Collins
movieA Raisin in the Sun
1961
Ruth Younger
movieTake a Giant Step
1959
Christine
movieSt. Louis Blues
1958
Elizabeth
movieEdge of the City
1957
Lucy Tyler
tvArmchair Theatre
1956
Vicky Kingsbury
movieGo Man Go
1954
Irma Jackson
tvThe Oscars
1953
Self
tvHallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Rowena Finch
movieThe Tall Target
1951
Rachel
movieNo Way Out
1950
Connie Brooks (uncredited)
movieThe Jackie Robinson Story
1950
Rae Robinson
movieEasy to Get
1947
Drugstore Girl
Writing2
tvAmerican Playhouse
1982
Writer
movieUptight
1968
Writer
