Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
Raiford Chatman "Ossie" Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He may be best known for his roles in Spike Lee-directed films such as School Daze (1988) and Do the Right Thing (1989). Other films Davis acted in include The Hill (1965), A Man Called Adam (1966), Let's Do It Again (1975), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Grumpy Old Men (1993), The Client (1994), Dr. Dolittle (1998), Dinosaur (2000), and Bubba Ho-Tep (2002). He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, from 1948 until his death.
Acted in 87
2000s
- 2005
Deacons for Defense
Reverend 'Rev' Gregory
- 2004
- 2003
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Movie
- 2002
- 2001
Feast of All Saints
Jean-Jacques
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Julius (voice)
- 2000
Here's to Life!
Duncan Cox
Finding Buck McHenry
Buck McHenry
1990s
- 1999
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Caretaker
The Soul Collector
Mordecai
A Vow to Cherish
Alexander Billman
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
I'm Not Rappaport
Midge Carter
Get on the Bus
Jeremiah / 'Pop'
- 1995
The Client
Judge Harry Roosevelt · 21 episodes
The Android Affair
Dr. Winston
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Uncle Phil
- 1994
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
Uncle Phil
- 1993
Alex Haley's Queen
Parson Dick · 3 episodes
The Ernest Green Story
Grandfather
- 1992
The Real Malcolm X
Movie
Haiti: Killing the Dream
Movie
- 1991
- 1990
The Red Shoes
Movie
1980s
- 1989
B.L. Stryker
Oz Jackson · 12 episodes
- 1988
School Daze
Coach Odom
- 1986
Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
Anansi the Spider (Sleepytime Songs and Stories) (voice)
- 1985
- 1984
The House of God
Dr. Sanders
- 1981
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Chuffy Russell
- 1980
All God's Children
Blaine Whitfield
1970s
- 1979
Hot Stuff
Captain John Geiberger
- 1978
King
Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. · 3 episodes
- 1977
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid
Dr. Fredericks
- 1976
The Tenth Level
Reed
Countdown at Kusini
Ernest Motapo
- 1975
Let's Do It Again
Elder Johnson
- 1972
Malcolm X
Eulogy (voice)
- 1971
The Sheriff
James Lucas
1960s
- 1969
Slaves
Luke
Teacher, Teacher
Charles Carter
The Fall
Movie
- 1968
- 1967
The Outsider
Lt. Wagner
- 1966
A Man Called Adam
Nelson Davis
- 1965
The Hill
Jacko King
- 1964
Shock Treatment
Capshaw
- 1963
Gone Are the Days!
Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson
- 1961
- 1960
John Brown's Raid
Dangerfield Newby
1950s
- 1959
- 1951
- 1950
No Way Out
John Brooks (uncredited)
Wrote 8
2020s
- 2024
Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch
Writer, Original Story
1980s
- 1983
For Us, the Living: The Story of Medgar Evers
Writer
- 1982
- 1981
Purlie
Musical
1970s
- 1976
Countdown at Kusini
Screenplay
- 1970
1960s
- 1963
East Side/West Side
Writer
Gone Are the Days!
Writer
Directed 5
1970s
- 1976
Countdown at Kusini
Director
- 1973
Gordon's War
Director
- 1972
Black Girl
Director
- 1970
Appearances33
2000s
- 2005
The History Makers: Success
Self
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
Self
- 2004
Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
Self
- 2003
The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
Self
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Himself
- 2002
Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
Self
Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
Narrator · 2 episodes
- 2001
Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
Narrator
1990s
- 1999
The Unfinished Journey
Narrator (voice)
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Self
- 1998
Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
Self
- 1997
Thomas Jefferson
Narrator (voice) · 2 episodes
- 1996
The West
Self, Self / John R. Gills (voice) · 9 episodes
- 1994
Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Self
- 1993
Goin' Back to T-Town
Narrator
- 1991
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
Self
1980s
- 1988
- 1986
- 1985
Tyler Texas Black Film Collection
Himself
- 1983
1970s
- 1979
Freedom Road
Narrator
- 1978
- 1975
Black Shadows on a Silver Screen
Narrator
- 1973
Wattstax
Self (uncredited)
- 1970
1960s
- 1968
Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class
Narrator
- 1967
Black Liberation
Narrator
- 1962
Hands of Inge
Narrator (voice)
Thanked in the credits1
1990s
- 1998
Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
Thanks