Ruby Dee

Acting

October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014 (aged 91)

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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).

Filmography

Love in Exile2026

Hollywood Black

Hollywood Black2024 · Self (archive footage)

Poitier's Walter Lee

Poitier's Walter Lee2018 · Self (archive footage)

Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee

Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee2014 · Self

Betty and Coretta

Betty and Coretta2013 · Narrator

Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal

Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal2013 · Self

A Thousand Words

A Thousand Words2012 · Annie McCall

Video Girl

Video Girl2011 · Valerie

Politics of Love

Politics of Love2011

Thicker Than Water

Thicker Than Water2011 · Miss Candy

A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School

A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School2009 · Narrator (voice)

America

America2009 · Mrs. Harper

Steam

Steam2007 · Doris

American Gangster

American Gangster2007 · Mama Lucas

Jsi chytřejší než páťák?

Jsi chytřejší než páťák?2007 · Ms. Ella

In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema

In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema2007 · Herself

Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson

Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson2007 · Self

Discovering William Greaves

Discovering William Greaves2006 · Self

The Way Back Home

The Way Back Home2006 · Maude

No. 2

No. 22006 · Nanna Maria

Iconoclasts

Iconoclasts2005 · Self

Lincoln

Lincoln2005 · Nanny

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks2004 · Self

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years2004 · (archive footage)

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives2003

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'2002 · Self

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years2002 · Narrator

Taking Back Our Town

Taking Back Our Town2001 · Emelda West

Feast of All Saints

Feast of All Saints2001 · Elsie Claviere

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000 · Mary Wilson

Rekishi Meikyuu kara no Dasshutsu~Real Dasshutsu Game X TV Tokyo~

Rekishi Meikyuu kara no Dasshutsu~Real Dasshutsu Game X TV Tokyo~2000 · Mrs. Henry

A Storm in Summer

A Storm in Summer2000 · Grandmother

The Unfinished Journey

The Unfinished Journey1999 · Narrator (voice)

Little Bill

Little Bill1999

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years1999 · Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany

Baby Geniuses

Baby Geniuses1999 · Margo

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand1999 · Self

Время завтрака

Время завтрака1999 · Mommit Porter

A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner

A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner1998 · Narrator

Christianity: The First 1000 Years

Christianity: The First 1000 Years1998 · Herself - Narrator

Mr. and Mrs. Loving

Mr. and Mrs. Loving1996

The Stand

The Stand1994 · Mother Abigail Freemantle

Jungle Fever

Jungle Fever1991

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings1979

Wedding Band

Wedding Band1974

It's Good to Be Alive

It's Good to Be Alive1974

To Be Young, Gifted and Black

To Be Young, Gifted and Black1972

Deadlock

Uptight