Ossie Davis
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