Portrait of Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee

Bio: 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
Born: Fri, Oct 27 1922
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Death: Wed, Jun 11 2014
Ruby Dee is 91 years old
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Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Poitier's Walter Lee
Poitier's Walter Lee
Ruby Dee would have been no older than
91 in Poitier's Walter Lee
as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Tue, Sep 25 2018
Poster of Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
Ruby Dee would have been no older than
91 in Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
as 'Self'.
Sun, Jun 22 2014
Poster of Betty and Coretta
Betty and Coretta
Ruby Dee was
90 in Betty and Coretta
as 'Narrator'.
Sat, Feb 02 2013
Poster of Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal
Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal
Ruby Dee was
90 in Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal
as 'Self'.
Fri, Feb 01 2013
Poster of A Thousand Words
A Thousand Words
Ruby Dee was
89 in A Thousand Words
as 'Annie McCall'.
Wed, Mar 07 2012
Poster of Video Girl
Video Girl
Ruby Dee was
88 in Video Girl
as 'Valerie'.
Tue, Oct 11 2011
Poster of Politics of Love
Politics of Love
Ruby Dee was
88 in Politics of Love
Fri, Aug 26 2011
Poster of The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll
The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll
Ruby Dee was
88 in The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll
as 'Miss Candy'.
Fri, Aug 05 2011
Poster of A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School
A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School
Ruby Dee was
86 in A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Wed, Jul 22 2009
Poster of America
America
Ruby Dee was
86 in America
as 'Mrs. Harper'.
Sat, Feb 28 2009
Poster of Steam
Steam
Ruby Dee was
85 in Steam
as 'Doris'.
Thu, Nov 15 2007
Poster of American Gangster
American Gangster
Ruby Dee was
85 in American Gangster
as 'Mama Lucas'.
Fri, Nov 02 2007
Poster of All About Us
All About Us
Ruby Dee was
84 in All About Us
as 'Ms. Ella'.
Mon, Oct 01 2007
Poster of In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema
In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema
Ruby Dee was
84 in In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema
as 'Herself'.
Sat, Sep 15 2007
Poster of Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson
Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson
Ruby Dee was
84 in Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson
as 'Self'.
Wed, Jan 31 2007
Poster of Discovering William Greaves
Discovering William Greaves
Ruby Dee was
84 in Discovering William Greaves
as 'Self'.
Wed, Dec 06 2006
Poster of No. 2
No. 2
Ruby Dee was
83 in No. 2
as 'Nanna Maria'.
Thu, Feb 16 2006
Poster of Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Ruby Dee was
82 in Their Eyes Were Watching God
as 'Nanny, Elizabeth Keckley'.
Sun, Mar 06 2005
Poster of Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
Ruby Dee was
81 in Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
as 'Self'.
Wed, Feb 25 2004
Poster of TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
Ruby Dee was
81 in TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
as '(archive footage)'.
Thu, Jan 01 2004
Poster of Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Ruby Dee was
80 in Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Mon, Feb 10 2003
Poster of Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
Ruby Dee was
79 in Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
as 'Self'.
Fri, Jun 14 2002
Poster of Taking Back Our Town
Taking Back Our Town
Ruby Dee was
79 in Taking Back Our Town
as 'Emelda West'.
Mon, Dec 10 2001
Poster of Feast of All Saints
Feast of All Saints
Ruby Dee was
79 in Feast of All Saints
as 'Elsie Claviere'.
Sun, Nov 11 2001
Poster of Finding Buck McHenry
Finding Buck McHenry
Ruby Dee was
77 in Finding Buck McHenry
as 'Mrs. Henry'.
Sun, Apr 16 2000
Poster of A Storm in Summer
A Storm in Summer
Ruby Dee was
77 in A Storm in Summer
as 'Grandmother'.
Tue, Jan 18 2000
Poster of The Unfinished Journey
The Unfinished Journey
Ruby Dee was
77 in The Unfinished Journey
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Fri, Dec 31 1999
Poster of Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
Ruby Dee was
76 in Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
as 'Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany'.
Sun, Apr 18 1999
Poster of Baby Geniuses
Baby Geniuses
Ruby Dee was
76 in Baby Geniuses
as 'Margo'.
Fri, Mar 12 1999
Poster of Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Ruby Dee was
76 in Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
as 'Self'.
Wed, Feb 24 1999
Poster of Passing Glory
Passing Glory
Ruby Dee was
76 in Passing Glory
as 'Mommit Porter'.
Sun, Feb 21 1999
Poster of A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner
A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner
Ruby Dee was
76 in A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner
as 'Narrator'.
Mon, Dec 07 1998
Poster of The Wall
The Wall
Ruby Dee was
75 in The Wall
as 'Mrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge")'.
Sun, May 24 1998
Poster of Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Ruby Dee was
75 in Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
as 'Self'.
Tue, Feb 10 1998
Poster of A Simple Wish
A Simple Wish
Ruby Dee was
74 in A Simple Wish
as 'Hortence'.
Fri, Jul 11 1997
Poster of Sports on the Silver Screen
Sports on the Silver Screen
Ruby Dee was
74 in Sports on the Silver Screen
as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Sun, Mar 16 1997
Poster of Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Ruby Dee was
73 in Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
as 'Indigo'.
Sun, Apr 14 1996
Poster of Mr. and Mrs. Loving
Mr. and Mrs. Loving
Ruby Dee was
73 in Mr. and Mrs. Loving
as 'Sophia'.
Wed, Mar 13 1996
Poster of Just Cause
Just Cause
Ruby Dee was
72 in Just Cause
as 'Evangeline Ferguson'.
Fri, Feb 17 1995
Poster of Tuesday Morning Ride
Tuesday Morning Ride
Ruby Dee was
72 in Tuesday Morning Ride
as 'Jennie'.
Sun, Jan 01 1995
Poster of Whitewash
Whitewash
Ruby Dee was
71 in Whitewash
as 'Grandmother (voice)'.
Tue, Aug 16 1994
Poster of The Stand
The Stand
Ruby Dee was
71 in The Stand
as 'Mother Abagail'.
Thu, May 12 1994
Poster of After Goodbye
After Goodbye
Ruby Dee was
70 in After Goodbye
as 'Narrator'.
Wed, Jun 23 1993
Poster of Cop and ½
Cop and ½
Ruby Dee was
70 in Cop and ½
as 'Rachel'.
Fri, Apr 02 1993
Poster of The Ernest Green Story
The Ernest Green Story
Ruby Dee was
70 in The Ernest Green Story
as 'Lydia Wilson'.
Sun, Jan 17 1993
Poster of Color Adjustment
Color Adjustment
Ruby Dee was
69 in Color Adjustment
as 'Narrator'.
Wed, Jan 29 1992
Poster of Jazztime Tale
Jazztime Tale
Ruby Dee was
69 in Jazztime Tale
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Sat, Nov 02 1991
Poster of Jungle Fever
Jungle Fever
Ruby Dee was
68 in Jungle Fever
as 'Lucinda Purify'.
Fri, Jun 07 1991
Poster of Decoration Day
Decoration Day
Ruby Dee was
68 in Decoration Day
as 'Rowena'.
Sun, Dec 02 1990
Poster of The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
Ruby Dee was
67 in The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
as 'Jackie's Mother'.
Mon, Oct 15 1990
Poster of Love at Large
Love at Large
Ruby Dee was
67 in Love at Large
as 'Corrine Dart'.
Fri, Mar 09 1990
Poster of Zora is My Name!
Zora is My Name!
Ruby Dee was
67 in Zora is My Name!
as 'Zora Neale Hurston'.
Mon, Jan 01 1990
Poster of Making 'Do the Right Thing'
Making 'Do the Right Thing'
Ruby Dee was
67 in Making 'Do the Right Thing'
as 'Self'.
Fri, Nov 03 1989
Poster of Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing
Ruby Dee was
66 in Do the Right Thing
as 'Mother Sister'.
Wed, Jun 14 1989
Poster of Go Tell It on the Mountain
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Ruby Dee was
62 in Go Tell It on the Mountain
as 'Mrs. Grimes'.
Mon, Jan 14 1985
Poster of Long Day's Journey Into Night
Long Day's Journey Into Night
Ruby Dee was
60 in Long Day's Journey Into Night
as 'Mary Tyrone'.
Tue, Nov 23 1982
Poster of Cat People
Cat People
Ruby Dee was
59 in Cat People
as 'Female'.
Fri, Apr 02 1982
Poster of All God's Children
All God's Children
Ruby Dee was
57 in All God's Children
as 'Irene Whitfield'.
Mon, Apr 28 1980
Poster of The Torture of Mothers: The Case of the Harlem Six
The Torture of Mothers: The Case of the Harlem Six
Ruby Dee was
57 in The Torture of Mothers: The Case of the Harlem Six
Tue, Jan 01 1980
Poster of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Ruby Dee was
56 in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
as 'Grandmother Baxter'.
Sat, Apr 28 1979
Poster of Countdown at Kusini
Countdown at Kusini
Ruby Dee was
53 in Countdown at Kusini
as 'Leah Matanzima'.
Fri, Apr 16 1976
Poster of Wedding Band
Wedding Band
Ruby Dee was
51 in Wedding Band
as 'Julia Augustine'.
Wed, Apr 24 1974
Poster of It's Good to Be Alive
It's Good to Be Alive
Ruby Dee was
51 in It's Good to Be Alive
as 'Ruth Campanella'.
Fri, Feb 22 1974
Poster of Black Girl
Black Girl
Ruby Dee was
50 in Black Girl
as 'Netta's mother'.
Thu, Nov 09 1972
Poster of Buck and the Preacher
Buck and the Preacher
Ruby Dee was
49 in Buck and the Preacher
as 'Ruth'.
Fri, Mar 17 1972
Poster of To Be Young, Gifted and Black
To Be Young, Gifted and Black
Ruby Dee was
49 in To Be Young, Gifted and Black
as 'Lorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters'.
Thu, Jan 20 1972
Poster of On Merit
On Merit
Ruby Dee was
49 in On Merit
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Sat, Jan 01 1972
Poster of The Sheriff
The Sheriff
Ruby Dee was
48 in The Sheriff
as 'Sue Ann Lucas'.
Tue, Mar 30 1971
Poster of King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
Ruby Dee was
47 in King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Tue, Mar 24 1970
Poster of Deadlock
Deadlock
Ruby Dee was
46 in Deadlock
as 'Lucinda'.
Sat, Feb 22 1969
Poster of Uptight
Uptight
Ruby Dee was
46 in Uptight
as 'Laurie'.
Sat, Dec 28 1968
Poster of The Incident
The Incident
Ruby Dee was
45 in The Incident
as 'Joan Robinson'.
Sun, Nov 05 1967
Poster of Neighbours
Neighbours
Ruby Dee was
43 in Neighbours
as 'Vicky Kingsbury'.
Sat, Jan 15 1966
Poster of Gone Are the Days!
Gone Are the Days!
Ruby Dee was
40 in Gone Are the Days!
as 'Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins'.
Fri, Aug 09 1963
Poster of The Balcony
The Balcony
Ruby Dee was
40 in The Balcony
as 'Thief'.
Thu, Mar 21 1963
Poster of A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
Ruby Dee was
38 in A Raisin in the Sun
as 'Ruth Younger'.
Sun, May 28 1961
Poster of Take a Giant Step
Take a Giant Step
Ruby Dee was
37 in Take a Giant Step
as 'Christine'.
Tue, Dec 01 1959
Poster of Virgin Island
Virgin Island
Ruby Dee was
36 in Virgin Island
as 'Ruth'.
Fri, Aug 07 1959
Poster of St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
Ruby Dee was
35 in St. Louis Blues
as 'Elizabeth'.
Mon, Apr 07 1958
Poster of Edge of the City
Edge of the City
Ruby Dee was
34 in Edge of the City
as 'Lucy Tyler'.
Fri, Jan 04 1957
Poster of Go Man Go
Go Man Go
Ruby Dee was
31 in Go Man Go
as 'Irma Jackson'.
Wed, Jan 27 1954
Poster of The Tall Target
The Tall Target
Ruby Dee was
28 in The Tall Target
as 'Rachel'.
Fri, Aug 17 1951
Poster of No Way Out
No Way Out
Ruby Dee was
27 in No Way Out
as 'Connie Brooks (uncredited)'.
Wed, Aug 16 1950
Poster of The Jackie Robinson Story
The Jackie Robinson Story
Ruby Dee was
27 in The Jackie Robinson Story
as 'Rae Robinson'.
Tue, May 16 1950
Poster of The Fight Never Ends
The Fight Never Ends
Ruby Dee was
25 in The Fight Never Ends
Sat, Mar 06 1948
Poster of What a Guy
What a Guy
Ruby Dee was
25 in What a Guy
Thu, Jan 01 1948
Poster of Easy to Get
Easy to Get
Ruby Dee was
24 in Easy to Get
as 'Drugstore Girl'.
Thu, Jul 10 1947
Poster of Love in Syncopation
Love in Syncopation
Ruby Dee was
23 in Love in Syncopation
Sat, Aug 03 1946
Poster of That Man of Mine
That Man of Mine
Ruby Dee was
23 in That Man of Mine
as 'Joan'.
Tue, Jan 01 1946

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Iconoclasts
Iconoclasts
Ruby Dee was
83+ in Iconoclasts
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Thu, Nov 17 2005
Poster of Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
Ruby Dee was
79+ in Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
as 'Narrator'.
First Air Date
Sat, Jun 01 2002
Poster of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Ruby Dee was
77+ in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
as 'Mary Wilson'.
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 06 2000
Poster of Little Bill
Little Bill
Ruby Dee was
77+ in Little Bill
First Air Date
Sun, Nov 28 1999
Poster of Christianity: The First 1000 Years
Christianity: The First 1000 Years
Ruby Dee was
76+ in Christianity: The First 1000 Years
as 'Herself - Narrator'.
First Air Date
Sun, Nov 29 1998
Poster of Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Ruby Dee was
72+ in Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
as 'Grandma (voice)'.
First Air Date
Sun, Mar 12 1995
Poster of Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
Ruby Dee was
71+ in Touched by an Angel
as 'LaBelle Springbelt'.
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 21 1994
Poster of The Stand
The Stand
Ruby Dee was
71+ in The Stand
as 'Mother Abagail'.
First Air Date
Sun, May 08 1994
Poster of Middle Ages
Middle Ages
Ruby Dee was
69+ in Middle Ages
as 'Estelle Williams'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 03 1992
Poster of American Experience
American Experience
Ruby Dee was
65+ in American Experience
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
First Air Date
Tue, Oct 04 1988
Poster of China Beach
China Beach
Ruby Dee was
65+ in China Beach
First Air Date
Tue, Apr 26 1988
Poster of Spenser: For Hire
Spenser: For Hire
Ruby Dee was
62+ in Spenser: For Hire
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1985
Poster of The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
Ruby Dee was
62+ in The Golden Girls
as 'Mammy Watkins'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 14 1985
Poster of The Atlanta Child Murders
The Atlanta Child Murders
Ruby Dee was
62+ in The Atlanta Child Murders
as 'Faye Williams'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 10 1985
Poster of Reading Rainbow
Reading Rainbow
Ruby Dee was
60+ in Reading Rainbow
as 'Herself - Narrator (voice)'.
First Air Date
Mon, Jun 06 1983
Poster of Roots: The Next Generations
Roots: The Next Generations
Ruby Dee was
56+ in Roots: The Next Generations
as 'Queen Victoria Haley'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 18 1979
Poster of The Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors
Ruby Dee was
56+ in The Kennedy Center Honors
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Thu, Dec 28 1978
Poster of Police Woman
Police Woman
Ruby Dee was
51+ in Police Woman
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 13 1974
Poster of Great Performances
Great Performances
Ruby Dee was
48+ in Great Performances
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Thu, Jan 28 1971
Poster of The Dick Cavett Show
The Dick Cavett Show
Ruby Dee was
45+ in The Dick Cavett Show
as 'Self - Guest'.
First Air Date
Thu, Jun 06 1968
Poster of The Great Adventure
The Great Adventure
Ruby Dee was
40+ in The Great Adventure
as 'Harriet Tubman'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 27 1963
Poster of The Fugitive
The Fugitive
Ruby Dee was
40+ in The Fugitive
as 'Laura Smith'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 17 1963
Poster of The Defenders
The Defenders
Ruby Dee was
38+ in The Defenders
as 'Catherine Collins'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 16 1961
Poster of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Ruby Dee was
29+ in Hallmark Hall of Fame
as 'Rowena Finch'.
First Air Date
Mon, Dec 24 1951