[News] Actor Ossie Davis Passes Away at 87

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Actor Ossie Davis Passes Away at 87

by <mailto:contact at broadwayworld.com>BWW News Desk

http://www.nion.us/NION.mp3 (reading not in our name)


Ossie Davis, whose career has spanned five decades and crossed back and 
forth between the stage and screen has passed away at 87. First reported by 
the Associated Press, they've reported that his was found this morning in a 
Miami hotel room where he was making a new film called "Retirement."

Known as much for his extensive career as for his marriage to the equally 
radiant Ruby Dee, the two were honored by the Kennedy Center in 2004. His 
Broadway career began in 1946 when he debuted on Broadway in Jeb alongside 
his future wife. The two then married 2 years later in 1948, on a day off 
from The Smile of the World, the two's second show together. They 
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998 with the publication of a 
dual-autobiography entitled "In This Life Together."


Ossie Davis was a two-time Tony nominee, first nominated in 1958 for Best 
Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in Jamaica. He was again 
nominated in 1970 for Best Musical for Purlie, a musical that he wrote the 
book for, based on the play Purlie Victorious which he also wrote.

On the performing front, his Broadway appearances include Jeb, The Leading 
Lady, The Smile of the World, The Wisteria Trees, The Green Pastures, 
Remains to Be Seen, Touchstone, Jamaica, A Raisin in the Sun, Purlie 
Victorious, The Zulu and the Zayda, I'm Not Rappaport, and a one-night 
appearance in A Celebration of Paul Robeson.

His film career includes appearances in movies such as The Cardinal, The 
Hill, Grumpy Old Men, The Client, Dr. Dolittle, and I'm Not Rappaport. He 
wrote and directed multiple films as well, most notably Cotton Comes to 
Harlem.

On television, he received Emmy Award nominations for appearances on 
Teacher, Teacher, King and Miss Evers' Boys.

His was a talent that crossed many genres as he wrote, acted, directed and 
produced for both the stage and screen, so he will surely be missed by 
those communities as well as audiences everywhere.








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