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Ossie Davis Biography

Birth Name:Raiford Chatman Davis

Birth Place:Cogdell, Georgia, United States

Profession Actor, Writer, Director, Composer

Fast Facts

Inducted into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame in 1989 alongside wife, Ruby Dee
Accidently given the nickname "Ossie" after the county clerk misheard his mother say his initials of R․C․ when registering his birth certificate
Gained fame later in his career after teaming up with Spike Lee for several films, including "Do the Right Thing", "Jungle Fever" and numerous others
Was forced to fight racism throughout the beginning of his career, as he was typically cast as a butler in most films and television serials
Eulogized close friends Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr․
Was more than one foot taller than wife, Ruby Dee, who was 5'2"

Awards

1969Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1969Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1970Bronze Wrangler-Fictional Television Drama: winner
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1989Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1994Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Black Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special: winner
2001Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2004Black Reel-Television: Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special: nominated
2004Vision Award-Best Dramatic Performance: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated