Trivia

Was a featured speaker at the funeral of both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.

His brother, Dr. William Davis, a professor in San Antonio, TX, holds several patents, one of which is for the chemical process to produce instant mashed potatoes.

The county clerk misunderstood his mother's dialectal pronunciation of his initials "R.C." when he was born. He thought he heard "Ossie" and registered him as such. The name stuck.

Had played the father of Jennifer Beals' character on The L Word (2004). In a powerful performance, fitting of his legacy, his character died in the episode, L-Chaim (2005). This was his final performance before his own death, and the episode was dedicated to his memory.

Served in the United States Army during World War II as a medical technician.

He and his wife Ruby Dee were awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1995 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Had appeared with his wife Ruby Dee in nine films: No Way Out (1950), Gone Are the Days! (1963), The Sheriff (1971), Cool Red (1976), Roots: The Next Generations (1979), All God's Children (1980), Do the Right Thing (1989), Jungle Fever (1991) and The Stand (1994).

Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004, along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and wife Ruby Dee.

Had three children his with Ruby Dee: Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad.

Twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1958 as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "Jamaica", and in 1970 as co-author of the book for Best Musical nominee "Purlie".

Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).

Lived in New Rochelle, New York.

Broadway debut as playwright with "Purlie Victorious" in 1961.

Named to NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame with his wife, Ruby Dee, in 1989.

Was the oldest of five children.

He was a lifelong liberal Democrat.

His ashes are inurned at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

Studied drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem, New York City.

Sang with the Melloharps, a vocal group, who had "I Love Only You" on Tin Pan Alley 145 in 1955.

Has seven grandchildren.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 128-130. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.

Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994.

Grandfather of Muta'Ali.

Turner Classic Movies' Summer Under the Stars dedicated August 27, 2024 to the films of Ossie Davis.