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Ruby Dee Biography

Birth Name:Ruby Ann Wallace

Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Profession Actress, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Well known for supporting various civil rights movements, she is a member of the Congress of Racial Equality, the NAACP and others
Graduated from Hunter College in 1944 before starting her career in show business
Before making it big in Hollywood, she made her Broadway debut in the 1940s
Best known for her roles in 1961's "A Raisin in the Sun" and 2007's "American Gangster", both of which she has been awarded numerous accolades
Recognized as a Kennedy Center honoree in 2004 alongside Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and husband Ossie Davis
Married to actor Ossie Davis from 1948 until his death in 2005

Awards

1961NBR Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1964Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1989Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
1992Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1995Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2000Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special: nominated
2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special: nominated
2003Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
2006Jury Award-Best Actress: winner
2006New Zealand Screen Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2007AAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2007EDA Female Focus Award-Hanging in There Award for Persistence: winner
2007ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2008Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2008Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2008Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2010Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated