We all grieved yesterday as we mourned the loss of one of the world’s brightest stars. The very talented actress and humanitarian Ruby Dee passed away on Wednesday, June 11th at the age of 91 from natural causes. Ruby was just as her name stated, a jewel, that surely deserved more praise for all that she gave the world. She was bigger than the industry itself, as she opened doors for more black actresses to follow, which is just the tip of all her efforts.
Dee and her late husband Ossie Davis were well known civil rights advocates. They were both great friends of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, with Davis giving the eulogy at Malcolm X’s funeral. In 2005, Dee and Davis were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award, presented by the National Civil Rights Museum.
Dee’s commitment to improving our society and belief of equality for African-American’s showed us how big her heart truly was. She was a leader and inspiration to us all.
Dee will be cremated, and her ashes will be held in the same urn as that of Davis, with the inscription “In this thing together”.
Yesterday we gave our condolences; today we celebrate the life of the legendary actress and civil rights activist.
Hip Hop Enquirer has put together a bunch of pictures and video clips that highlight the successes and achievements of the late Ruby Dee. I hope that you enjoy.
Although Ruby Dee began her acting career in the 1940s, her breakthrough performance came in 1950’s “The Jackie Robinson Story.”
Ruby Dee gives a speech during the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.
Ruby Dee appeared in Spike Lee’s 1989 critically acclaimed film “Do The Right Thing”. In this clip Da Mayor, played by Ruby’s husband Ossie Davis, confronts Mother Sister (Ruby Dee) about why she is always so mean.
Ruby won the Screen Actors Guild and was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Mama Lucas in American Gangster. At 83 years of age, Dee is currently the second oldest nominee for Best Supporting Actress. This clip is known as “The Slap Heard The Around World”. In this scene Mama Lucas (Ruby Dee) confronts her son Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and warns him that he will lose his family if he does not decide to straighten up.
Ruby Dee and Nat King Cole taking a break on the set of “St. Louis Blues” on Oct. 28, 1957, while waiting for a camera setup in Hollywood.
Ruby Dee was casted alongside her husband Ossie Davis in Spike Lee’s 1991 film “Jungle Fever”. In the scene Gator (Samuel L. Jackson) strung out on drugs confronts his parents (Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis) for money.
Ruby acts opposite of Sidney Poitier in the 1961 film “A Raisin in the Sun”. The movie is about a black family who wants a better life away from the city. She won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress in this film.
Ruby Dee with her husband, Ossie Davis, and the Rev. Al Sharpton at a protest at New York’s police headquarters in 1999.
Years ago Ruby Dee made a guest appearance on Def Jam Poetry and cited a poem titled “Tupac”. Check it out.
Thank you Ruby Dee, for giving generations after you a foundation to build.
Follow us on Twitter @hiphopenquirer