Actor Ossie Davis, 87
Posted: Friday, February 4th, 2005 3:39 pm
Tony Award-nominated actor-writer Ossie Davis, an icon of 20th century African-American theatre, was found dead Feb. 4 in his hotel room in Miami, where he was filming a movie, according to the Associated Press.
Mr. Davis was 87, and was often mentioned in the same breath with his wife, actress Ruby Dee, who survives him. The pair received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2004 for their life’s work.
The veteran of such films as “Do the Right Thing,” “School Daze” and “Jungle Fever,” was librettist of the Best Musical Tony nominee Purlie!, which was the musical version of his play, Purlie Victorious, and was nominated for his acting in the musical Jamaica. At the time of his death, he was working on a movie called “Retirement,” AP reported, citing Arminda Thomas, who works in his office in New Rochelle, NY. … Read full obituary
