How old was Ruby Dee in…

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

Poitier's Walter Lee

Ruby Dee would have been no older than 91 in Poitier's Walter Lee as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Tue, Sep 25 2018

Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee would have been no older than 91 in Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jun 22 2014

Betty and Coretta

Ruby Dee was 90 in Betty and Coretta as 'Narrator'.

Movie Released: Sat, Feb 02 2013

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'.

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 01 2013

A Thousand Words

Ruby Dee was 89 in A Thousand Words as 'Annie McCall'.

Movie Released: Wed, Mar 07 2012

Video Girl

Ruby Dee was 88 in Video Girl as 'Valerie'.

Movie Released: Tue, Oct 11 2011

Politics of Love

Ruby Dee was 88 in Politics of Love

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 26 2011

The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll

Ruby Dee was 88 in The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll as 'Miss Candy'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 05 2011

A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School

Ruby Dee was 86 in A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School as 'Narrator (voice)'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jul 22 2009

America

Ruby Dee was 86 in America as 'Mrs. Harper'.

Movie Released: Sat, Feb 28 2009

Steam

Ruby Dee was 85 in Steam as 'Doris'.

Movie Released: Thu, Nov 15 2007

American Gangster

Ruby Dee was 85 in American Gangster as 'Mama Lucas'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 02 2007

All About Us

Ruby Dee was 84 in All About Us as 'Ms. Ella'.

Movie Released: Mon, Oct 01 2007

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'.

Movie Released: Sat, Sep 15 2007

Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson

Ruby Dee was 84 in Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jan 31 2007

Discovering William Greaves

Ruby Dee was 84 in Discovering William Greaves as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Dec 06 2006

No. 2

Ruby Dee was 83 in No. 2 as 'Nanna Maria'.

Movie Released: Thu, Feb 16 2006

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Ruby Dee was 82 in Their Eyes Were Watching God as 'Nanny, Elizabeth Keckley'.

Movie Released: Sun, Mar 06 2005

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

Ruby Dee was 81 in Beah: A Black Woman Speaks as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Feb 25 2004

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

Ruby Dee was 81 in TV in Black: The First Fifty Years as '(archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 2004

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Ruby Dee was 80 in Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Movie Released: Mon, Feb 10 2003

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

Ruby Dee was 79 in Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun' as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 14 2002

Taking Back Our Town

Ruby Dee was 79 in Taking Back Our Town as 'Emelda West'.

Movie Released: Mon, Dec 10 2001

Feast of All Saints

Ruby Dee was 79 in Feast of All Saints as 'Elsie Claviere'.

Movie Released: Sun, Nov 11 2001

Finding Buck McHenry

Ruby Dee was 77 in Finding Buck McHenry as 'Mrs. Henry'.

Movie Released: Sun, Apr 16 2000

A Storm in Summer

Ruby Dee was 77 in A Storm in Summer as 'Grandmother'.

Movie Released: Tue, Jan 18 2000

The Unfinished Journey

Ruby Dee was 77 in The Unfinished Journey as 'Narrator (voice)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 31 1999

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'.

Movie Released: Sun, Apr 18 1999

Baby Geniuses

Ruby Dee was 76 in Baby Geniuses as 'Margo'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 12 1999

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

Ruby Dee was 76 in Paul Robeson: Here I Stand as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Feb 24 1999

Passing Glory

Ruby Dee was 76 in Passing Glory as 'Mommit Porter'.

Movie Released: Sun, Feb 21 1999

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'.

Movie Released: Mon, Dec 07 1998

The Wall

Ruby Dee was 75 in The Wall as 'Mrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge")'.

Movie Released: Sun, May 24 1998

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'.

Movie Released: Tue, Feb 10 1998

A Simple Wish

Ruby Dee was 74 in A Simple Wish as 'Hortence'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 11 1997

Sports on the Silver Screen

Ruby Dee was 74 in Sports on the Silver Screen as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Sun, Mar 16 1997

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

Ruby Dee was 73 in Captive Heart: The James Mink Story as 'Indigo'.

Movie Released: Sun, Apr 14 1996

Mr. and Mrs. Loving

Ruby Dee was 73 in Mr. and Mrs. Loving as 'Sophia'.

Movie Released: Wed, Mar 13 1996

Just Cause

Ruby Dee was 72 in Just Cause as 'Evangeline Ferguson'.

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 17 1995

Tuesday Morning Ride

Ruby Dee was 72 in Tuesday Morning Ride as 'Jennie'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jan 01 1995

Whitewash

Ruby Dee was 71 in Whitewash as 'Grandmother (voice)'.

Movie Released: Tue, Aug 16 1994

After Goodbye

Ruby Dee was 70 in After Goodbye as 'Narrator'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 23 1993

Cop and ½

Ruby Dee was 70 in Cop and ½ as 'Rachel'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 02 1993

The Ernest Green Story

Ruby Dee was 70 in The Ernest Green Story as 'Lydia Wilson'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jan 17 1993

Color Adjustment

Ruby Dee was 69 in Color Adjustment as 'Narrator'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jan 29 1992

Jazztime Tale

Ruby Dee was 69 in Jazztime Tale as 'Narrator (voice)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Nov 02 1991

Jungle Fever

Ruby Dee was 68 in Jungle Fever as 'Lucinda Purify'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 07 1991

Decoration Day

Ruby Dee was 68 in Decoration Day as 'Rowena'.

Movie Released: Sun, Dec 02 1990

The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson

Ruby Dee was 67 in The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson as 'Jackie's Mother'.

Movie Released: Mon, Oct 15 1990

Love at Large

Ruby Dee was 67 in Love at Large as 'Corrine Dart'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 09 1990

Zora is My Name!

Ruby Dee was 67 in Zora is My Name! as 'Zora Neale Hurston'.

Movie Released: Mon, Jan 01 1990

Making 'Do the Right Thing'

Ruby Dee was 67 in Making 'Do the Right Thing' as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 03 1989

Do the Right Thing

Ruby Dee was 66 in Do the Right Thing as 'Mother Sister'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 14 1989

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Ruby Dee was 62 in Go Tell It on the Mountain as 'Mrs. Grimes'.

Movie Released: Mon, Jan 14 1985

Long Day's Journey Into Night

Ruby Dee was 60 in Long Day's Journey Into Night as 'Mary Tyrone'.

Movie Released: Tue, Nov 23 1982

Cat People

Ruby Dee was 59 in Cat People as 'Female'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 02 1982

All God's Children

Ruby Dee was 57 in All God's Children as 'Irene Whitfield'.

Movie Released: Mon, Apr 28 1980

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

Movie Released: Tue, Jan 01 1980

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Ruby Dee was 56 in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as 'Grandmother Baxter'.

Movie Released: Sat, Apr 28 1979

Countdown at Kusini

Ruby Dee was 53 in Countdown at Kusini as 'Leah Matanzima'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 16 1976

Wedding Band

Ruby Dee was 51 in Wedding Band as 'Julia Augustine'.

Movie Released: Wed, Apr 24 1974

It's Good to Be Alive

Ruby Dee was 51 in It's Good to Be Alive as 'Ruth Campanella'.

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 22 1974

Black Girl

Ruby Dee was 50 in Black Girl as 'Netta's mother'.

Movie Released: Thu, Nov 09 1972

Buck and the Preacher

Ruby Dee was 49 in Buck and the Preacher as 'Ruth'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 17 1972

To Be Young, Gifted and Black

Ruby Dee was 49 in To Be Young, Gifted and Black as 'Lorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jan 20 1972

On Merit

Ruby Dee was 49 in On Merit as 'Narrator (voice)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jan 01 1972

The Sheriff

Ruby Dee was 48 in The Sheriff as 'Sue Ann Lucas'.

Movie Released: Tue, Mar 30 1971

King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis

Ruby Dee was 47 in King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Tue, Mar 24 1970

Deadlock

Ruby Dee was 46 in Deadlock as 'Lucinda'.

Movie Released: Sat, Feb 22 1969

Uptight

Ruby Dee was 46 in Uptight as 'Laurie'.

Movie Released: Sat, Dec 28 1968

The Incident

Ruby Dee was 45 in The Incident as 'Joan Robinson'.

Movie Released: Sun, Nov 05 1967

Neighbours

Ruby Dee was 43 in Neighbours as 'Vicky Kingsbury'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jan 15 1966

Gone Are the Days!

Ruby Dee was 40 in Gone Are the Days! as 'Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 09 1963

The Balcony

Ruby Dee was 40 in The Balcony as 'Thief'.

Movie Released: Thu, Mar 21 1963

A Raisin in the Sun

Ruby Dee was 38 in A Raisin in the Sun as 'Ruth Younger'.

Movie Released: Sun, May 28 1961

Take a Giant Step

Ruby Dee was 37 in Take a Giant Step as 'Christine'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 01 1959

Virgin Island

Ruby Dee was 36 in Virgin Island as 'Ruth'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 07 1959

St. Louis Blues

Ruby Dee was 35 in St. Louis Blues as 'Elizabeth'.

Movie Released: Mon, Apr 07 1958

Edge of the City

Ruby Dee was 34 in Edge of the City as 'Lucy Tyler'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 04 1957

Go Man Go

Ruby Dee was 31 in Go Man Go as 'Irma Jackson'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jan 27 1954

The Tall Target

Ruby Dee was 28 in The Tall Target as 'Rachel'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 17 1951

No Way Out

Ruby Dee was 27 in No Way Out as 'Connie Brooks (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Wed, Aug 16 1950

The Jackie Robinson Story

Ruby Dee was 27 in The Jackie Robinson Story as 'Rae Robinson'.

Movie Released: Tue, May 16 1950

The Fight Never Ends

Ruby Dee was 25 in The Fight Never Ends

Movie Released: Sat, Mar 06 1948

What a Guy

Ruby Dee was 25 in What a Guy

Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 1948

Easy to Get

Ruby Dee was 24 in Easy to Get as 'Drugstore Girl'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jul 10 1947

Love in Syncopation

Ruby Dee was 23 in Love in Syncopation

Movie Released: Sat, Aug 03 1946

That Man of Mine

Ruby Dee was 23 in That Man of Mine as 'Joan'.

Movie Released: 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

Iconoclasts

Ruby Dee was 83+ in Iconoclasts as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Nov 17 2005

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

Ruby Dee was 79+ in Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years as 'Narrator'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Jun 01 2002

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Ruby Dee was 77+ in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as 'Mary Wilson'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Oct 06 2000

Little Bill

Ruby Dee was 77+ in Little Bill

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Nov 28 1999

Christianity: The First 1000 Years

Ruby Dee was 76+ in Christianity: The First 1000 Years as 'Herself - Narrator'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Nov 29 1998

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Ruby Dee was 72+ in Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as 'Grandma (voice)'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Mar 12 1995

Touched by an Angel

Ruby Dee was 71+ in Touched by an Angel as 'LaBelle Springbelt'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 21 1994

The Stand

Ruby Dee was 71+ in The Stand as 'Mother Abagail'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, May 08 1994

Middle Ages

Ruby Dee was 69+ in Middle Ages as 'Estelle Williams'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 03 1992

American Experience

Ruby Dee was 65+ in American Experience as 'Narrator (voice)'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Oct 04 1988

China Beach

Ruby Dee was 65+ in China Beach

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Apr 26 1988

Spenser: For Hire

Ruby Dee was 62+ in Spenser: For Hire

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1985

The Golden Girls

Ruby Dee was 62+ in The Golden Girls as 'Mammy Watkins'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 14 1985

The Atlanta Child Murders

Ruby Dee was 62+ in The Atlanta Child Murders as 'Faye Williams'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Feb 10 1985

Reading Rainbow

Ruby Dee was 60+ in Reading Rainbow as 'Herself - Narrator (voice)'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jun 06 1983

Roots: The Next Generations

Ruby Dee was 56+ in Roots: The Next Generations as 'Queen Victoria Haley'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Feb 18 1979

The Kennedy Center Honors

Ruby Dee was 56+ in The Kennedy Center Honors as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Dec 28 1978

Police Woman

Ruby Dee was 51+ in Police Woman

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 13 1974

Great Performances

Ruby Dee was 48+ in Great Performances as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 28 1971

The Dick Cavett Show

Ruby Dee was 45+ in The Dick Cavett Show as 'Self - Guest'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jun 06 1968

The Great Adventure

Ruby Dee was 40+ in The Great Adventure as 'Harriet Tubman'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 27 1963

The Fugitive

Ruby Dee was 40+ in The Fugitive as 'Laura Smith'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Sep 17 1963

The Defenders

Ruby Dee was 38+ in The Defenders as 'Catherine Collins'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 16 1961

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Ruby Dee was 29+ in Hallmark Hall of Fame as 'Rowena Finch'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Dec 24 1951