Portrait of Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis

Bio: Raiford Chatman "Ossie" Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ossie Davis, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Born: Mon, Dec 17 1917
Birthplace: Cogdell, Georgia, USA

Death: Fri, Feb 04 2005
Ossie Davis is 87 years old
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Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Ossie Davis would have been no older than
87 in Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Thu, Oct 27 2022
Poster of The Peace!
The Peace!
Ossie Davis would have been no older than
87 in The Peace!
as 'Self'.
Tue, Sep 20 2005
Poster of The History Makers: Success
The History Makers: Success
Ossie Davis would have been no older than
87 in The History Makers: Success
as 'Self'.
Tue, Feb 15 2005
Poster of Unstoppable
Unstoppable
Ossie Davis would have been no older than
87 in Unstoppable
as 'Self'.
Sun, Feb 13 2005
Poster of By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
Ossie Davis would have been no older than
87 in By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
as 'Self'.
Tue, Feb 08 2005
Poster of She Hate Me
She Hate Me
Ossie Davis was
86 in She Hate Me
as 'Judge Buchanan'.
Fri, Jul 30 2004
Poster of Proud
Proud
Ossie Davis was
86 in Proud
as 'Lorenzo DuFau'.
Fri, Jul 02 2004
Poster of Baadasssss!
Baadasssss!
Ossie Davis was
86 in Baadasssss!
as 'Granddad'.
Fri, May 28 2004
Poster of Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
Ossie Davis was
86 in Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
as 'Self'.
Wed, Feb 25 2004
Poster of The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
Ossie Davis was
85 in The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
as 'Self'.
Tue, May 20 2003
Poster of The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars
The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars
Ossie Davis was
85 in The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars
as 'Narrator'.
Fri, Feb 28 2003
Poster of Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Ossie Davis was
85 in Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
as 'Himself'.
Sun, Feb 16 2003
Poster of Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Ossie Davis was
85 in Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
Mon, Feb 10 2003
Poster of Deacons for Defense
Deacons for Defense
Ossie Davis was
85 in Deacons for Defense
as 'Reverend 'Rev' Gregory'.
Wed, Jan 01 2003
Poster of Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
Ossie Davis was
84 in Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'
as 'Self'.
Fri, Jun 14 2002
Poster of Bubba Ho-tep
Bubba Ho-tep
Ossie Davis was
84 in Bubba Ho-tep
as 'John F. "Jack" Kennedy'.
Sun, Jun 09 2002
Poster of Feast of All Saints
Feast of All Saints
Ossie Davis was
83 in Feast of All Saints
as 'Jean-Jacques'.
Sun, Nov 11 2001
Poster of Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
Ossie Davis was
83 in Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
as 'Narrator'.
Mon, Jun 11 2001
Poster of The Legend of the Candy Cane
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Ossie Davis was
83 in The Legend of the Candy Cane
as 'Julius (voice)'.
Fri, Jun 01 2001
Poster of Here's to Life!
Here's to Life!
Ossie Davis was
82 in Here's to Life!
as 'Duncan Cox'.
Mon, Sep 18 2000
Poster of Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Ossie Davis was
82 in Dinosaur
as 'Yar (voice)'.
Fri, May 19 2000
Poster of Finding Buck McHenry
Finding Buck McHenry
Ossie Davis was
82 in Finding Buck McHenry
as 'Buck McHenry'.
Sun, Apr 16 2000
Poster of The Unfinished Journey
The Unfinished Journey
Ossie Davis was
82 in The Unfinished Journey
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Fri, Dec 31 1999
Poster of Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Ossie Davis was
81 in Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
as 'Caretaker'.
Tue, Dec 14 1999
Poster of The Soul Collector
The Soul Collector
Ossie Davis was
81 in The Soul Collector
as 'Mordecai'.
Sun, Oct 24 1999
Poster of The Secret Path
The Secret Path
Ossie Davis was
81 in The Secret Path
as 'Too Tall'.
Fri, Apr 02 1999
Poster of Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Ossie Davis was
81 in Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
as 'Self'.
Wed, Feb 24 1999
Poster of A Vow to Cherish
A Vow to Cherish
Ossie Davis was
81 in A Vow to Cherish
as 'Alexander Billman'.
Fri, Jan 01 1999
Poster of Doctor Dolittle
Doctor Dolittle
Ossie Davis was
80 in Doctor Dolittle
as 'Archer Dolittle'.
Fri, Jun 26 1998
Poster of Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Ossie Davis was
80 in Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
as 'Self'.
Tue, Feb 10 1998
Poster of Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
Ossie Davis was
80 in Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
as 'Self'.
Thu, Jan 01 1998
Poster of 12 Angry Men
12 Angry Men
Ossie Davis was
79 in 12 Angry Men
as 'Juror 2'.
Sun, Aug 17 1997
Poster of 4 Little Girls
4 Little Girls
Ossie Davis was
79 in 4 Little Girls
as 'Self - Actor and Playwright'.
Wed, Jul 09 1997
Poster of Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers
Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers
Ossie Davis was
79 in Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers
as 'Narrator'.
Mon, Jun 23 1997
Poster of Miss Evers' Boys
Miss Evers' Boys
Ossie Davis was
79 in Miss Evers' Boys
as 'Mr. Evers'.
Sat, Feb 22 1997
Poster of Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough
Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough
Ossie Davis was
79 in Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough
as 'Self'.
Wed, Jan 01 1997
Poster of I'm Not Rappaport
I'm Not Rappaport
Ossie Davis was
79 in I'm Not Rappaport
as 'Midge Carter'.
Tue, Dec 24 1996
Poster of Get on the Bus
Get on the Bus
Ossie Davis was
78 in Get on the Bus
as 'Jeremiah'.
Wed, Oct 16 1996
Poster of The Android Affair
The Android Affair
Ossie Davis was
77 in The Android Affair
as 'Dr. Winston'.
Wed, Apr 12 1995
Poster of Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Ossie Davis was
77 in Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
as 'Uncle Phil'.
Mon, Mar 20 1995
Poster of The Client
The Client
Ossie Davis was
76 in The Client
as 'Harry Roosevelt'.
Wed, Jul 20 1994
Poster of Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
Ossie Davis was
76 in Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
as 'Uncle Phil'.
Fri, May 13 1994
Poster of Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Ossie Davis was
76 in Malcolm X: Make It Plain
as 'Self'.
Wed, Jan 26 1994
Poster of Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World
Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World
Ossie Davis was
76 in Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World
as 'Narrator'.
Sat, Jan 01 1994
Poster of Grumpy Old Men
Grumpy Old Men
Ossie Davis was
76 in Grumpy Old Men
as 'Chuck'.
Sat, Dec 25 1993
Poster of Cop and ½
Cop and ½
Ossie Davis was
75 in Cop and ½
as 'Detective in Squad Room'.
Fri, Apr 02 1993
Poster of Goin' Back to T-Town
Goin' Back to T-Town
Ossie Davis was
75 in Goin' Back to T-Town
as 'Narrator'.
Mon, Mar 01 1993
Poster of The Ernest Green Story
The Ernest Green Story
Ossie Davis was
75 in The Ernest Green Story
as 'Grandfather'.
Sun, Jan 17 1993
Poster of Lincoln
Lincoln
Ossie Davis was
75 in Lincoln
as 'Frederick Douglas (voice)'.
Sat, Dec 26 1992
Poster of Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Ossie Davis was
74 in Malcolm X
as 'Eulogy Performer (voice)'.
Wed, Nov 18 1992
Poster of Gladiator
Gladiator
Ossie Davis was
74 in Gladiator
as 'Noah'.
Fri, Mar 06 1992
Poster of Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
Ossie Davis was
73 in Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
as 'Self'.
Mon, Oct 28 1991
Poster of Jungle Fever
Jungle Fever
Ossie Davis was
73 in Jungle Fever
as 'Reverend Purify'.
Fri, Jun 07 1991
Poster of Joe Versus the Volcano
Joe Versus the Volcano
Ossie Davis was
72 in Joe Versus the Volcano
as 'Marshall'.
Fri, Mar 09 1990
Poster of The Red Shoes
The Red Shoes
Ossie Davis was
72 in The Red Shoes
Wed, Feb 07 1990
Poster of Making 'Do the Right Thing'
Making 'Do the Right Thing'
Ossie Davis was
71 in Making 'Do the Right Thing'
as 'Self'.
Fri, Nov 03 1989
Poster of Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing
Ossie Davis was
71 in Do the Right Thing
as 'Da Mayor'.
Wed, Jun 14 1989
Poster of School Daze
School Daze
Ossie Davis was
70 in School Daze
as 'Coach Odom'.
Fri, Feb 12 1988
Poster of Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
Ossie Davis was
68 in Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories
as 'Anansi the Spider (Sleepytime Songs and Stories) (voice)'.
Wed, Jan 01 1986
Poster of Avenging Angel
Avenging Angel
Ossie Davis was
67 in Avenging Angel
as 'Capt. Harry Moradian'.
Fri, Jan 11 1985
Poster of Tyler Texas Black Film Collection
Tyler Texas Black Film Collection
Ossie Davis was
67 in Tyler Texas Black Film Collection
as 'Himself'.
Tue, Jan 08 1985
Poster of Harry & Son
Harry & Son
Ossie Davis was
66 in Harry & Son
as 'Raymond'.
Fri, Mar 02 1984
Poster of Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood
Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood
Ossie Davis was
66 in Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood
as 'Narrator'.
Tue, Feb 07 1984
Poster of The House of God
The House of God
Ossie Davis was
66 in The House of God
as 'Dr. Sanders'.
Sun, Jan 01 1984
Poster of Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Ossie Davis was
63 in Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
as 'Chuffy Russell'.
Sun, May 31 1981
Poster of Death of a Prophet
Death of a Prophet
Ossie Davis was
63 in Death of a Prophet
Thu, Jan 01 1981
Poster of All God's Children
All God's Children
Ossie Davis was
62 in All God's Children
as 'Blaine Whitfield'.
Mon, Apr 28 1980
Poster of Freedom Road
Freedom Road
Ossie Davis was
61 in Freedom Road
as 'Narrator'.
Mon, Oct 29 1979
Poster of Hot Stuff
Hot Stuff
Ossie Davis was
61 in Hot Stuff
as 'Captain John Geiberger'.
Fri, Aug 10 1979
Poster of Freedom Man
Freedom Man
Ossie Davis was
61 in Freedom Man
as 'Benjamin Banneker'.
Mon, Jan 01 1979
Poster of Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid
Ossie Davis was
59 in Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid
as 'Dr. Fredericks'.
Mon, Sep 12 1977
Poster of The Tenth Level
The Tenth Level
Ossie Davis was
58 in The Tenth Level
as 'Reed'.
Thu, Aug 26 1976
Poster of Countdown at Kusini
Countdown at Kusini
Ossie Davis was
58 in Countdown at Kusini
as 'Ernest Motapo'.
Fri, Apr 16 1976
Poster of Let's Do It Again
Let's Do It Again
Ossie Davis was
57 in Let's Do It Again
as 'Elder Johnson'.
Sat, Oct 11 1975
Poster of Black Shadows on a Silver Screen
Black Shadows on a Silver Screen
Ossie Davis was
57 in Black Shadows on a Silver Screen
as 'Narrator'.
Sat, Apr 19 1975
Poster of Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Ossie Davis was
54 in Malcolm X
as 'Eulogy (voice)'.
Wed, May 24 1972
Poster of The Sheriff
The Sheriff
Ossie Davis was
53 in The Sheriff
as 'James Lucas'.
Tue, Mar 30 1971
Poster of Kongi's Harvest
Kongi's Harvest
Ossie Davis was
52 in Kongi's Harvest
as 'Narrator'.
Fri, May 01 1970
Poster of Night Gallery
Night Gallery
Ossie Davis was
51 in Night Gallery
as 'Osmond Portifoy'.
Sat, Nov 08 1969
Poster of Slaves
Slaves
Ossie Davis was
51 in Slaves
as 'Luke'.
Wed, Jul 02 1969
Poster of Sam Whiskey
Sam Whiskey
Ossie Davis was
51 in Sam Whiskey
as 'Jed Hooker'.
Tue, Apr 01 1969
Poster of Teacher, Teacher
Teacher, Teacher
Ossie Davis was
51 in Teacher, Teacher
as 'Charles Carter'.
Wed, Feb 05 1969
Poster of The Fall
The Fall
Ossie Davis was
51 in The Fall
Wed, Jan 15 1969
Poster of The Scalphunters
The Scalphunters
Ossie Davis was
50 in The Scalphunters
as 'Joseph Lee'.
Thu, Feb 29 1968
Poster of Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class
Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class
Ossie Davis was
50 in Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class
as 'Narrator'.
Tue, Jan 02 1968
Poster of The Outsider
The Outsider
Ossie Davis was
49 in The Outsider
as 'Lt. Wagner'.
Tue, Nov 21 1967
Poster of Black Liberation
Black Liberation
Ossie Davis was
49 in Black Liberation
as 'Narrator'.
Sun, Jan 01 1967
Poster of A Man Called Adam
A Man Called Adam
Ossie Davis was
48 in A Man Called Adam
as 'Nelson Davis'.
Wed, Mar 16 1966
Poster of The Sun... the Sand... the Hill
The Sun... the Sand... the Hill
Ossie Davis was
47 in The Sun... the Sand... the Hill
as 'Jason King (archive footage), Jason King (archival footage)'.
Thu, Jul 01 1965
Poster of The Hill
The Hill
Ossie Davis was
47 in The Hill
as 'Jacko King'.
Thu, Jun 17 1965
Poster of Shock Treatment
Shock Treatment
Ossie Davis was
46 in Shock Treatment
as 'Capshaw'.
Wed, Jul 22 1964
Poster of The Cardinal
The Cardinal
Ossie Davis was
45 in The Cardinal
as 'Father Gillis'.
Thu, Dec 12 1963
Poster of Gone Are the Days!
Gone Are the Days!
Ossie Davis was
45 in Gone Are the Days!
as 'Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson'.
Fri, Aug 09 1963
Poster of Hands of Inge
Hands of Inge
Ossie Davis was
44 in Hands of Inge
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Mon, Jan 01 1962
Poster of John Brown's Raid
John Brown's Raid
Ossie Davis was
42 in John Brown's Raid
Tue, Oct 25 1960
Poster of Fourteen Hours
Fourteen Hours
Ossie Davis was
33 in Fourteen Hours
as 'Cab Driver (uncredited)'.
Sun, Apr 01 1951
Poster of No Way Out
No Way Out
Ossie Davis was
32 in No Way Out
as 'John Brooks (uncredited)'.
Wed, Aug 16 1950

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 Folk Britannia
Folk Britannia
Ossie Davis would have been no older than
87 in Folk Britannia
as 'Self (archival footage)'.
First Air Date
Fri, Feb 03 2006
Poster of TV Revolution
TV Revolution
Ossie Davis was
86+ in TV Revolution
First Air Date
Sun, May 23 2004
Poster of The L Word
The L Word
Ossie Davis was
86+ in The L Word
as 'Melvin Porter'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 18 2004
Poster of Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
Ossie Davis was
84+ in Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years
as 'Narrator'.
First Air Date
Sat, Jun 01 2002
Poster of Third Watch
Third Watch
Ossie Davis was
81+ in Third Watch
as 'Mr. Parker'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 23 1999
Poster of Christianity: The First 1000 Years
Christianity: The First 1000 Years
Ossie Davis was
80+ in Christianity: The First 1000 Years
as 'Himself - Narrator'.
First Air Date
Sun, Nov 29 1998
Poster of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Ossie Davis was
79+ in Thomas Jefferson
as 'Narrator (voice)'.
First Air Date
Tue, Feb 18 1997
Poster of Promised Land
Promised Land
Ossie Davis was
78+ in Promised Land
as ', Erasmus Jones'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 17 1996
Poster of The West
The West
Ossie Davis was
78+ in The West
as 'Self, Self / John R. Gills (voice)'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 15 1996
Poster of JAG
JAG
Ossie Davis was
77+ in JAG
as 'Terrence Minnerly'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 23 1995
Poster of The Client
The Client
Ossie Davis was
77+ in The Client
as 'Judge Harry Roosevelt'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 17 1995
Poster of Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
Ossie Davis was
76+ in Touched by an Angel
as 'Gabriel, Erasmus Jones'.
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 21 1994
Poster of Baseball
Baseball
Ossie Davis was
76+ in Baseball
as 'Various (voice)'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 18 1994
Poster of The Stand
The Stand
Ossie Davis was
76+ in The Stand
as 'Judge Richard Farris'.
First Air Date
Sun, May 08 1994
Poster of Alex Haley's Queen
Alex Haley's Queen
Ossie Davis was
75+ in Alex Haley's Queen
as 'Parson Dick'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 14 1993
Poster of Evening Shade
Evening Shade
Ossie Davis was
72+ in Evening Shade
as 'Ponder Blue'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 21 1990
Poster of B.L. Stryker
B.L. Stryker
Ossie Davis was
71+ in B.L. Stryker
as 'Oz Jackson'.
First Air Date
Mon, Feb 13 1989
Poster of American Masters
American Masters
Ossie Davis was
68+ in American Masters
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Mon, Jun 23 1986
Poster of Reading Rainbow
Reading Rainbow
Ossie Davis was
65+ in Reading Rainbow
as 'Himself - Narrator (voice)'.
First Air Date
Mon, Jun 06 1983
Poster of Roots: The Next Generations
Roots: The Next Generations
Ossie Davis was
61+ in Roots: The Next Generations
as 'Dad Jones'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 18 1979
Poster of The Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors
Ossie Davis was
61+ in The Kennedy Center Honors
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Thu, Dec 28 1978
Poster of King
King
Ossie Davis was
60+ in King
as 'Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 12 1978
Poster of Night Gallery
Night Gallery
Ossie Davis was
52+ in Night Gallery
as 'Osmund Portifoy'.
First Air Date
Wed, Dec 16 1970
Poster of The Name of the Game
The Name of the Game
Ossie Davis was
50+ in The Name of the Game
as 'Kubani'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1968
Poster of Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O
Ossie Davis was
50+ in Hawaii Five-O
as 'Ramon Borelle'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1968
Poster of Run for Your Life
Run for Your Life
Ossie Davis was
47+ in Run for Your Life
as 'Frankie Morton, Dave Corbett, Sgt. Dave Corbett'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 13 1965
Poster of The Great Adventure
The Great Adventure
Ossie Davis was
45+ in The Great Adventure
as 'John Ross'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 27 1963
Poster of The Fugitive
The Fugitive
Ossie Davis was
45+ in The Fugitive
as 'Lt. Johnny Gaines'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 17 1963
Poster of The Defenders
The Defenders
Ossie Davis was
43+ in The Defenders
as 'Nixie, Officer Bond, Assistant District Attorney, District Attorney, District Attorney Daniel Jackson'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 16 1961
Poster of Bonanza
Bonanza
Ossie Davis was
41+ in Bonanza
as 'Sam Davis'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 12 1959
Poster of Tony Awards
Tony Awards
Ossie Davis was
38+ in Tony Awards
as 'Self - Presenter'.
First Air Date
Sun, Apr 01 1956
Poster of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Ossie Davis was
34+ in Hallmark Hall of Fame
as 'Charles Carter'.
First Air Date
Mon, Dec 24 1951
Poster of Kraft Television Theatre
Kraft Television Theatre
Ossie Davis was
29+ in Kraft Television Theatre
as 'The Emperor Jones'.
First Air Date
Wed, May 07 1947