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Legendary actress, activist and author Ruby Dee passed away yesterday, June 11th at her home in New Rochelle, NY. She was 91. Her passing has been confirmed by her archivist, Arminda Thomas. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Ms. Dee was known as a quiet yet powerful presence on stage and in film, playing opposite some of Hollywood's most prominent men for over 70 years, including Sidney Poitier, James Earl Jones, Denzel Washington, and her late husband of 56 years Ossie Davis who preceded her in death in 2005.
She opted out of filling the stereotypical "negro roles" of her day, and outwardly spoke against actresses of color being confined to "hookers, nannies and addicts." In 1965 she became the first black actress to perform a lead role at the American Shakespeare Festival, playing leads in both "The Taming of the Shrew" and "King Lear."
In addition to her work as an actress, Ruby Dee was also a prominent figure within the civil rights movement, emceeing the 1963 March on Washington and standing by Dr. King while he gave his "I Have A Dream" speech.
The younger generation likely knows Ms. Dee for her role in the 2007 film "American Gangster" where she played leading man Denzel Washington's mother, a role which garnered her an Oscar nomination.
Rest in peace to the phenomenal Ruby Dee.
Source: The Washington Post
