Ruby Dee, Oscar Nomination - Best Supporting Actress

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Dee was born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Gladys Hightower and Marshall Edward Nathaniel Wallace, a cook, waiter, and porter. After her mother left the family, Dee's father remarried to Emma Amelia (née Benson), a schoolteacher.[1][2][3][4] Dee grew up in Harlem, New York. She graduated in 1945 from Hunter College with degrees in French and Spanish, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc. She made several appearances on Broadway before receiving national recognition for her role in the 1950 film The Jackie Robinson Story.

Dee's career in acting has crossed all major forms of media over a span of eight decades, including the films A Raisin in the Sun, in which she recreated her stage role as a suffering housewife in the projects, and Edge of the City. She played both roles opposite Sidney Poitier. During the 1960s, Dee appeared in such politically charged films as Gone Are the Days and The Incident, which is recognized as helping pave the way for young African-American actors and filmmakers.

She has been nominated for eight Emmy Awards, winning twice: once for her role in the 1990 TV film Decoration Day, and again for her television guest appearance in the China Beach episode, "Skylark". Her late husband Ossie Davis (1917-2005) also appeared in that episode.

In 2007 the winner of the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album was tied between (i) Dee and Ossie Davis for "With Ossie And Ruby: In This Life Together", and (ii) former President Jimmy Carter.

Dee and Davis together wrote an autobiography in which they discuss their political activism as well as insights on their open marriage.[5] Together they had three children; son, blues musician Guy Davis, and two daughters, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad. Dee has survived breast cancer for more than 30 years.

Dee and Davis were well-known civil rights activists. Among others, Dee is a member of Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Dee and Davis were personal friends of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, with Davis giving the eulogy at the latter's funeral in 1965.

Synopsis:
American Gangster is a 2007 crime film written by Steve Zaillian and directed by Ridley Scott. The film stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Washington portrays Frank Lucas, a real-life heroin kingpin from Manhattan who smuggled the drug into the country in the coffins of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective who brings down Lucas's drug empire. Filming was done in New York, and American Gangster is slated for a November 2, 2007 release.

Cast:
Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe as Detective Richie Roberts
Cuba Gooding Jr. as Nicky Barnes
Josh Brolin
Common as the brother of Frank Lucas
T.I. as the nephew of Frank Lucas
Anthony Hamilton as a singer[3]
RZA
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Ted Levine
John Ortiz
Yul Vazquez
Carla Gugino
KaDee Strickland

Official site:


Channel: Film & Animation
Uploaded: November 17, 2007 at 8:56 am
Author: blacktreemedia

Length: 00:06:20
Rating: 4.77
Views: 19298

Tags: interview trailer American Gangster Ruby Dee Mother Actress BlackTree TV

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Video Comments:
piscesariescusp121 (November 6, 2008 at 6:05 pm)
she was pretty in her younger days.
haywoodbrock (July 27, 2008 at 2:23 pm)
don't talk shit
josefragozo (July 15, 2008 at 7:18 am)
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47bobber (April 23, 2008 at 5:36 pm)
talk about raceism how in the hell did she get nominated, she only said less than 40 words in the whole movie. great acting
depalma24 (August 6, 2008 at 6:37 am)
actors have been nominated for even one scene in a film. Learn to spell "racism" buddy
68NYC (March 28, 2008 at 11:49 am)
Absolute Legend right here!!
~thanks for Posting!!
leadperformer (March 8, 2008 at 11:40 am)
I look forward to working with you and being a part of your energy and passion.
leadperformer (March 8, 2008 at 11:38 am)
Lifelong talent again overlooked by a few but appreciated and supported by many. You are love by me!
Soul74 (March 7, 2008 at 1:45 pm)
I hope you die.