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Ossie Davis

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Ossie Davis Fast Facts:

Named after his paternal grandfather. Was nicknamed R.C., but a misunderstanding by a courthouse clerk got him the moniker Ossie.
First appeared on Broadway in the 1946 production of Jeb, where he met his future wife, Ruby Dee.
In 1961, wrote the play Purlie Victorious: A Comedy in Three Acts. It was made into a movie in 1963, with him as the lead actor, and reworked yet again in 1970 for the Broadway musical Purlie.
Helped organize the civil rights movement's 1963 March on Washington.
Delivered the eulogy at Malcolm X's funeral in 1965.
Howard University gave him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 1973.
Authored several books, including Just Like Martin in 1992, and With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together, with his wife, in 1998.
Inducted into the NAACP's Hall of Fame in 1989.
With his wife, received the National Medal of Arts Lifetime Honors in 1995; a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2000; and Kennedy Center Honors in 2004.
Often acted alongside his wife.

Ossie Davis Relationships:
Guy Davis - Son
Hasna Muhammad - Daughter
Nora Davis Day - Daughter
Laura Davis - Mother
Kince Charles Davis - Father
William Davis - Brother
Ruby Dee - Wife
Ossie Davis Awards:
2006 Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album - Winner
1969 Emmy: Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
1978 Emmy: Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1970 Tony: Musical - Nominee
1958 Tony: Actor, Supporting or Featured (Musical) - Nominee
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Life Achievement Award - Winner
1969 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
2005 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1997 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special - Nominee
College:
Attended Howard University, Washington, DC; attended Columbia University, New York, NY