Ruby Dee

Actor

Ruby Dee

Born October 27, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, USADied June 11, 201471 films

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).

Start here

The best way into Ruby Dee's work
Do the Right Thing posterFirst watchDo the Right Thing19897.8as Mother SisterA leading role in one of the best-rated films of their career.Sal is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors.View film

Essential films

Ranked by role, acclaim and reach
A Raisin in the Sun poster7.7A Raisin in the Sun1961Buck and the Preacher poster6.3Buck and the Preacher1972Just Cause poster6.3Just Cause1995Jungle Fever poster6.4Jungle Fever1991Cop & ½ poster4.6Cop & ½1993The Incident poster7.4The Incident1967Cat People poster6.0Cat People1982Edge of the City poster7.1Edge of the City1957

Filmography

71 films as actor
  1. TBABaby of the Family
  2. 2026Love in Exile
  3. 2013Betty and CorettaNarrator
  4. 2012A Thousand WordsAnnie McCall
  5. 2011Video GirlValerie
  6. 2011Politics of Love
  7. 2011The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' RollMiss Candy
  8. 2009AmericaMrs. Harper
  9. 2007SteamDoris
  10. 2007American GangsterMama Lucas
  11. 2007All About UsMs. Ella
  12. 2006The Way Back HomeMaude
  13. 2006No. 2Nanna Maria
  14. 2005Their Eyes Were Watching GodNanny
  15. 2001Taking Back Our TownEmelda West
  16. 2001Feast of All SaintsElsie Claviere
  17. 2000Finding Buck McHenryMrs. Henry
  18. 2000A Storm in SummerGrandmother
  19. 1999Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 YearsAnnie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany
  20. 1999Baby GeniusesMargo
  21. 1999Passing GloryMommit Porter
  22. 1998The WallMrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge")
  23. 1997A Simple WishHortence
  24. 1996Captive Heart: The James Mink StoryIndigo
  25. 1996Mr. and Mrs. LovingSophia
  26. 1995Just CauseEvangeline Ferguson
  27. 1995Tuesday Morning RideJennie
  28. 1994WhitewashGrandmother (voice)
  29. 1994The Stand
  30. 1993Cop & ½Rachel
  31. 1993The Ernest Green StoryLydia Wilson
  32. 1991Jazztime TaleNarrator (voice)
  33. 1991Jungle FeverLucinda Purify
  34. 1990Decoration DayRowena
  35. 1990The Court-Martial of Jackie RobinsonJackie's Mother
  36. 1990Love at LargeCorrine Dart
  37. 1990Zora is My Name!Zora Neale Hurston
  38. 1989Do the Right ThingMother Sister
  39. 1984Go Tell It on the MountainMrs. Grimes
  40. 1982Long Day's Journey Into NightMary Tyrone
  41. 1982Cat PeopleFemale
  42. 1980All God's ChildrenIrene Whitfield
  43. 1979I Know Why the Caged Bird SingsGrandmother Baxter
  44. 1976Countdown at KusiniLeah Matanzima
  45. 1974Wedding BandJulia Augustine
  46. 1974It's Good to Be AliveRuth Campanella
  47. 1973Chelsea D.H.O.Dr. Bianca Pearson
  48. 1972Black GirlNetta's mother
  49. 1972Buck and the PreacherRuth
  50. 1972To Be Young, Gifted and BlackLorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters
  51. 1972On MeritNarrator (voice)
  52. 1971The SheriffSue Ann Lucas
  53. 1969DeadlockLucinda
  54. 1968UptightLaurie
  55. 1967The IncidentJoan Robinson
  56. 1966NeighboursVicky Kingsbury
  57. 1963Gone Are the Days!Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
  58. 1963The BalconyThief
  59. 1961A Raisin in the SunRuth Younger
  60. 1959Take a Giant StepChristine
  61. 1959Virgin IslandRuth
  62. 1958St. Louis BluesElizabeth
  63. 1957Edge of the CityLucy Tyler
  64. 1954Go Man GoIrma Jackson
  65. 1951The Tall TargetRachel
  66. 1950No Way OutConnie Brooks (uncredited)
  67. 1950The Jackie Robinson StoryRae Robinson
  68. 1948The Fight Never Ends
  69. 1948What a Guy
  70. 1946Love in Syncopation
  71. 1946That Man of MineJoan