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Ruby Dee

Actor

Ruby Dee

Born October 27, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, USADied June 11, 201469 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).

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The best way into Ruby Dee's work
Do the Right Thing posterFirst watchDo the Right Thing19897.8as Mother SisterSal 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 acclaim and reach
American Gangster poster7.6American Gangster2007A Thousand Words poster6.1A Thousand Words2012Just Cause poster6.3Just Cause1995A Raisin in the Sun poster7.7A Raisin in the Sun1961Cat People poster6.1Cat People1982Jungle Fever poster6.4Jungle Fever1991The Incident poster7.4The Incident1967No Way Out poster6.9No Way Out1950

Filmography

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