For as long as I can remember, whether they appeared together in a play or film, jointly promoted the institution of the American theater, or took a side-by-side stand against injustice, the sight of the obviously devoted couple provided inspiration, resolve, comfort and strength. They were the picture of decency, commitment, and stability, of grace, strength, and integrity. Ossie Davis was and Ruby Dee is outstanding in the field of acting, but more importantly, the pair put the lie to the notion that there are no worthy role models.
What saddens me most about Davis' death is that Dee could not be with her other half at the end. She too was working, making a film in New Zealand. I can only imagine what she must be feeling right now; if only there was something I could do to help. I feel as if I owe a debt of gratitude to both Davis and Dee for the work they did, the lives they lived, the example they set. Without doubt, the nation does.
The best way, I think, that we can thank Ossie Davis for the work he did and the lessons he taught is to enlist in the struggle to make a world free from injustice. We should take the advice of Da Mayor, the character he played in Spike Lee's 1989 joint: "Do the right thing."
![Do the Right Thing [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510GY2KCPML._SL120_.jpg)
![Cotton Comes to Harlem [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21NPTB82MCL._SL120_.jpg)
![The Client [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RSMZESJ1L._SL120_.jpg)
![Get on the Bus [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51B7P9ME96L._SL120_.jpg)
![Baadasssss (Dol) [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A3ZF7EBZL._SL120_.jpg)
![I'm Not Rappaport [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QGGFA2V9L._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - DrPat
You missed Joe vs. the Volcano, ASIN B0002WZS3U.
Davis' role was essential to the story, and (as always) beautifully played.
2 - Natalie Davis
No, I didn't miss it; it was an enjoyable film, if I recall, and Ossie Davis was great in it. The system only allows 10 amazon-dot-crap choices (which causes me untold distress every time I put together something for BC). If it had permitted more, JVTV would have been included. Thank you, though, for mentioning the film.
3 - Al Barger
Thank you, Miss Natalie. This is a good, positive contribution to the site. You were just the person here for this topic.
I confess to having been ignorant of much of this biography, knowing him primarily as Da Mayor. I knew that he'd had a long career, but I didn't realize quite the breadth and depth of it.
4 - Al Barger
Also, the limit of 10 Amazon choices apparently does not hold. I'd heard the same thing, but accidentally discovered that I could get at least 12 items, as per this week's new album releases post.
5 - Nick Jones
2/04 was a day of loss of several celebrities: Ossie Davis; Max Schmeling (fought Joe Louis in the Thirties, but refused to becaome part of Hitler's 'Master Race' propaganda machine); John Vernon (The Outlaw Josey Wales, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, and, of course, Animal House (Dean Wormer)).
Rest in peace, all.
6 - SFC SKI
Great article, Ossie Davis deserved the acclaim he got, on screen and off, he always had a high level of dignity that came across to the viewer.
7 - Natalie Davis
Dean Wormer, oh no! Thanks for passing on the sad news, Mr. Jones.
8 - Al Barger
I'm sure Dean Wormer's in heaven (or the other place) right now, putting John Belushi back on double secret probation.
9 - Rodney Welch
Natalie -- Nice work on Ossie Davis, a consistently watchable actor. I never much cared for him in Do the Right Thing, but he was great as the preacher father in Jungle Fever whose junkie son (Samuel L. Jackson) is beyond his reach.
Nick -- Read the NYTimes obit. Sounds to me like old Max went above and beyond the call of duty for Der Fuhrer. Sure he regretted it, but so did Leni Riefenstahl.
... while many of Schmeling's Jewish friends fled for their lives, Schmeling remained and made the transition to the Nazi era, which he regularly defended in the American news media, with disconcerting ease.
10 - Eric Olsen
thanks Nat, super and hearfelt tribute - DAvis was an unbeatable combo of dignity and vulnerability
11 - ClubhouseCancer
Great job about a great man, Nat. Like so many in the civil-rights struggle, he used his formidable powers as an artist for the good of all of us.