Ruby Dee
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 27, 1922
- Died
- June 11, 2014
- Birthplace
- Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Ruby Dee (October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist. She originated the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun. Her other notable film roles include The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Do the Right Thing (1989) and American Gangster (2007).
Filmography
- Baby of the Family
Baby of the Family TBA
Actor
- Diamonds on the Silver Screen
Diamonds on the Silver Screen TBA
as Self
- Love in Exile
Love in Exile 2026
Actor
Poitier's Walter Lee 2018
as Self (archive footage)
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee 2014
as Self
Betty and Coretta 2013
as Narrator
Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal 2013
as Self
A Thousand Words 2012
as Annie McCall
Video Girl 2011
as Valerie
Politics of Love 2011
Actor
The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll 2011
as Miss Candy
A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School 2009
as Narrator (voice)
America 2009
as Mrs. Harper
Steam 2007
as Doris
American Gangster 2007
as Mama Lucas
All About Us 2007
as Ms. Ella
In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema 2007
as Herself
- Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson
Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson 2007
as Self
Discovering William Greaves 2006
as Self
The Way Back Home 2006
as Maude
No. 2 2006
as Nanna Maria
Their Eyes Were Watching God 2005
as Nanny
Beah: A Black Woman Speaks 2004
as Self
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years 2004
as (archive footage)
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives 2003
Actor
Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun' 2002
as Self
Taking Back Our Town 2001
as Emelda West
Feast of All Saints 2001
as Elsie Claviere
Finding Buck McHenry 2000
as Mrs. Henry
A Storm in Summer 2000
as Grandmother
The Unfinished Journey 1999
as Narrator (voice)
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years 1999
as Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany
Baby Geniuses 1999
as Margo
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand 1999
as Self
Passing Glory 1999
as Mommit Porter
- A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner
A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner 1998
as Narrator
The Wall 1998
as Mrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge")
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood 1998
as Self
A Simple Wish 1997
as Hortence
Sports on the Silver Screen 1997
as Self (archive footage)
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story 1996
as Indigo
Mr. and Mrs. Loving 1996
as Sophia
Just Cause 1995
as Evangeline Ferguson
Tuesday Morning Ride 1995
as Jennie
Whitewash 1994
as Grandmother (voice)
The Stand 1994
Actor
After Goodbye 1993
as Narrator
Cop & ½ 1993
as Rachel
The Ernest Green Story 1993
as Lydia Wilson
Color Adjustment 1992
as Narrator
Jazztime Tale 1991
as Narrator (voice)
Jungle Fever 1991
as Lucinda Purify
Decoration Day 1990
as Rowena
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson 1990
as Jackie's Mother
Love at Large 1990
as Corrine Dart
Zora is My Name! 1990
as Zora Neale Hurston
- Making 'Do the Right Thing'
Making 'Do the Right Thing' 1989
as Self
Do the Right Thing 1989
as Mother Sister
Go Tell It on the Mountain 1984
as Mrs. Grimes
Papua New Guinea: Anthropology on Trial 1983
Vocals
Long Day's Journey Into Night 1982
as Mary Tyrone
Cat People 1982
as Female
All God's Children 1980
as Irene Whitfield
The Torture of Mothers: The Case of the Harlem Six 1980
Actor
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 1979
as Grandmother Baxter
Countdown at Kusini 1976
as Leah Matanzima
Wedding Band 1974
as Julia Augustine
It's Good to Be Alive 1974
as Ruth Campanella
- Chelsea D.H.O.
Chelsea D.H.O. 1973
as Dr. Bianca Pearson
Black Girl 1972
as Netta's mother
Buck and the Preacher 1972
as Ruth
To Be Young, Gifted and Black 1972
as Lorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters
- On Merit
On Merit 1972
as Narrator (voice)
The Sheriff 1971
as Sue Ann Lucas
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis 1970
as Self (archive footage)
Deadlock 1969
as Lucinda
Uptight 1968
as Laurie, Writer
The Incident 1967
as Joan Robinson
- Now is the Time
Now is the Time 1967
as Self
- Neighbours
Neighbours 1966
as Vicky Kingsbury
Gone Are the Days! 1963
as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
The Balcony 1963
as Thief
A Raisin in the Sun 1961
as Ruth Younger
Take a Giant Step 1959
as Christine
Virgin Island 1959
as Ruth
St. Louis Blues 1958
as Elizabeth
Edge of the City 1957
as Lucy Tyler
Go Man Go 1954
as Irma Jackson
The Tall Target 1951
as Rachel
No Way Out 1950
as Connie Brooks (uncredited)
The Jackie Robinson Story 1950
as Rae Robinson
The Fight Never Ends 1948
Actor
What a Guy 1948
Actor
Easy to Get 1947
as Drugstore Girl
Love in Syncopation 1946
Actor
That Man of Mine 1946
as Joan
Credits from TMDB.