background
Ossie Davis
Acting

Ossie Davis

Known for exceptional acting in global cinema.

Profession

Acting

Birthday

18 Dec 1917

Age

109 Years

Born In

Cogdell, Georgia, USA

Total Projects

147

Years Active

75 Yrs

Avg Rating

6.9 ★

Overview

Raiford Chatman "Ossie" Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He may be best known for his roles in Spike Lee-directed films such as School Daze (1988) and Do the Right Thing (1989). Other films Davis acted in include The Hill (1965), A Man Called Adam (1966), Let's Do It Again...

Filmography

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

movie

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

2022

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

as Self (archive footage)

CineRaya

tv

Folk Britannia

2006

Folk Britannia

as Self (archival footage)

CineRaya

movie

The Peace!

2005

The Peace!

as Self

Deacons for Defense

movie

Deacons for Defense

2005

Deacons for Defense

as Reverend 'Rev' Gregory

The History Makers: Success

movie

The History Makers: Success

2005

The History Makers: Success

as Self

CineRaya

movie

Unstoppable

2005

Unstoppable

as Self

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

movie

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

2005

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

as Self

She Hate Me

movie

She Hate Me

2004

She Hate Me

as Judge Buchanan

Proud

movie

Proud

2004

Proud

as Lorenzo DuFau

Baadasssss!

movie

Baadasssss!

2004

Baadasssss!

as Granddad

CineRaya

tv

TV Revolution

2004

TV Revolution

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

movie

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

2004

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

as Self

The L Word

tv

The L Word

2004

The L Word

as Melvin Porter

The Evolution of an American Filmmaker

movie

The Evolution of an American Filmmaker

2003

The Evolution of an American Filmmaker

as Self

CineRaya

movie

The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars

2003

The Tuskegee Airmen: They Fought Two Wars

as Narrator

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

movie

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

2003

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

as Himself

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

movie

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

2003

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

movie

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

2002

Theater Talk: 'A Raisin in the Sun'

as Self

Bubba Ho-tep

movie

Bubba Ho-tep

2002

Bubba Ho-tep

as John F. "Jack" Kennedy

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

tv

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

2002

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

as Narrator

Feast of All Saints

movie

Feast of All Saints

2001

Feast of All Saints

as Jean-Jacques

Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore

movie

Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore

2001

Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore

as Narrator

The Legend of the Candy Cane

movie

The Legend of the Candy Cane

2001

The Legend of the Candy Cane

as Julius (voice)

Here's to Life!

movie

Here's to Life!

2000

Here's to Life!

as Duncan Cox

Dinosaur

movie

Dinosaur

2000

Dinosaur

as Yar (voice)

Finding Buck McHenry

movie

Finding Buck McHenry

2000

Finding Buck McHenry

as Buck McHenry

The Unfinished Journey

movie

The Unfinished Journey

1999

The Unfinished Journey

as Narrator (voice)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

movie

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

1999

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

as Caretaker

The Soul Collector

movie

The Soul Collector

1999

The Soul Collector

as Mordecai

Third Watch

tv

Third Watch

1999

Third Watch

as Mr. Parker

The Secret Path

movie

The Secret Path

1999

The Secret Path

as Too Tall

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

movie

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

1999

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

as Self

A Vow to Cherish

movie

A Vow to Cherish

1999

A Vow to Cherish

as Alexander Billman

CineRaya

tv

Christianity: The First 1000 Years

1998

Christianity: The First 1000 Years

as Himself - Narrator

Doctor Dolittle

movie

Doctor Dolittle

1998

Doctor Dolittle

as Archer Dolittle

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

movie

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

1998

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

as Self

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist

movie

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist

1998

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist

as Self

12 Angry Men

movie

12 Angry Men

1997

12 Angry Men

as Juror 2

4 Little Girls

movie

4 Little Girls

1997

4 Little Girls

as Self - Actor and Playwright

CineRaya

movie

Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers

1997

Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers

as Narrator

Miss Evers' Boys

movie

Miss Evers' Boys

1997

Miss Evers' Boys

as Mr. Evers

Thomas Jefferson

tv

Thomas Jefferson

1997

Thomas Jefferson

as Narrator (voice)

Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough

movie

Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough

1997

Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough

as Self

I'm Not Rappaport

movie

I'm Not Rappaport

1996

I'm Not Rappaport

as Midge Carter

Get on the Bus

movie

Get on the Bus

1996

Get on the Bus

as Jeremiah / 'Pop'

Promised Land

tv

Promised Land

1996

Promised Land

Promised Land

tv

Promised Land

1996

Promised Land

as Erasmus Jones

The West

tv

The West

1996

The West

as Self

The West

tv

The West

1996

The West

as Self / John R. Gills (voice)

JAG

tv

JAG

1995

JAG

as Terrence Minnerly

The Client

tv

The Client

1995

The Client

as Judge Harry Roosevelt

The Android Affair

movie

The Android Affair

1995

The Android Affair

as Dr. Winston

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

movie

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

1995

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

as Uncle Phil

Touched by an Angel

tv

Touched by an Angel

1994

Touched by an Angel

as Gabriel

Touched by an Angel

tv

Touched by an Angel

1994

Touched by an Angel

as Erasmus Jones

Baseball

tv

Baseball

1994

Baseball

as Various (voice)

Baseball

tv

Baseball

1994

Baseball

as (voice)

The Client

movie

The Client

1994

The Client

as Harry Roosevelt

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

movie

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

1994

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

as Uncle Phil

The Stand

tv

The Stand

1994

The Stand

as Judge Richard Farris

The Stand

tv

The Stand

1994

The Stand

as Judge Richard Farris (credit only)

Malcolm X: Make It Plain

movie

Malcolm X: Make It Plain

1994

Malcolm X: Make It Plain

as Self

CineRaya

movie

Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World

1994

Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World

as Narrator

Grumpy Old Men

movie

Grumpy Old Men

1993

Grumpy Old Men

as Chuck

Cop & ½

movie

Cop & ½

1993

Cop & ½

as Detective in Squad Room

Goin' Back to T-Town

movie

Goin' Back to T-Town

1993

Goin' Back to T-Town

as Narrator

Alex Haley's Queen

tv

Alex Haley's Queen

1993

Alex Haley's Queen

as Parson Dick

The Ernest Green Story

movie

The Ernest Green Story

1993

The Ernest Green Story

as Grandfather

CineRaya

movie

Lincoln

1992

Lincoln

as Frederick Douglas (voice)

Malcolm X

movie

Malcolm X

1992

Malcolm X

as Eulogy Performer (voice)

The Real Malcolm X

movie

The Real Malcolm X

1992

The Real Malcolm X

Gladiator

movie

Gladiator

1992

Gladiator

as Noah

Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker

movie

Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker

1991

Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker

as Self

Jungle Fever

movie

Jungle Fever

1991

Jungle Fever

as Reverend Purify

Evening Shade

tv

Evening Shade

1990

Evening Shade

as Ponder Blue

Joe Versus the Volcano

movie

Joe Versus the Volcano

1990

Joe Versus the Volcano

as Marshall

The Red Shoes

movie

The Red Shoes

1990

The Red Shoes

CineRaya

movie

Making 'Do the Right Thing'

1989

Making 'Do the Right Thing'

as Self

Do the Right Thing

movie

Do the Right Thing

1989

Do the Right Thing

as Da Mayor

B.L. Stryker

tv

B.L. Stryker

1989

B.L. Stryker

as Oz Jackson

American Experience

tv

American Experience

1988

American Experience

as Self - Harlem Resident

School Daze

movie

School Daze

1988

School Daze

as Coach Odom

American Masters

tv

American Masters

1986

American Masters

as Self

Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

movie

Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

1986

Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories

as Anansi the Spider (Sleepytime Songs and Stories) (voice)

Avenging Angel

movie

Avenging Angel

1985

Avenging Angel

as Capt. Harry Moradian

Tyler Texas Black Film Collection

movie

Tyler Texas Black Film Collection

1985

Tyler Texas Black Film Collection

as Himself

Harry & Son

movie

Harry & Son

1984

Harry & Son

as Raymond

CineRaya

movie

Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood

1984

Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood

as Narrator

The House of God

movie

The House of God

1984

The House of God

as Dr. Sanders

Reading Rainbow

tv

Reading Rainbow

1983

Reading Rainbow

as Self - Narrator (voice)

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

movie

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

1981

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

as Chuffy Russell

Death of a Prophet

movie

Death of a Prophet

1981

Death of a Prophet

All God's Children

movie

All God's Children

1980

All God's Children

as Blaine Whitfield

Freedom Road

movie

Freedom Road

1979

Freedom Road

as Narrator

Hot Stuff

movie

Hot Stuff

1979

Hot Stuff

as Captain John Geiberger

Roots: The Next Generations

tv

Roots: The Next Generations

1979

Roots: The Next Generations

as 'Dad' Jones

CineRaya

movie

Freedom Man

1979

Freedom Man

as Benjamin Banneker

The Kennedy Center Honors

tv

The Kennedy Center Honors

1978

The Kennedy Center Honors

as Self

King

tv

King

1978

King

as Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

movie

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

1977

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

as Dr. Fredericks

The Tenth Level

movie

The Tenth Level

1976

The Tenth Level

as Reed

Countdown at Kusini

movie

Countdown at Kusini

1976

Countdown at Kusini

as Ernest Motapo

Let's Do It Again

movie

Let's Do It Again

1975

Let's Do It Again

as Elder Johnson

Black Shadows on a Silver Screen

movie

Black Shadows on a Silver Screen

1975

Black Shadows on a Silver Screen

as Narrator

Wattstax

movie

Wattstax

1973

Wattstax

as Self (uncredited)

Malcolm X

movie

Malcolm X

1972

Malcolm X

as Eulogy (voice)

The Sheriff

movie

The Sheriff

1971

The Sheriff

as James Lucas

Kongi's Harvest

movie

Kongi's Harvest

1970

Kongi's Harvest

as Narrator

Night Gallery

movie

Night Gallery

1969

Night Gallery

as Osmond Portifoy

Slaves

movie

Slaves

1969

Slaves

as Luke

Sam Whiskey

movie

Sam Whiskey

1969

Sam Whiskey

as Jed Hooker

Teacher, Teacher

movie

Teacher, Teacher

1969

Teacher, Teacher

as Charles Carter

The Fall

movie

The Fall

1969

The Fall

Hawaii Five-O

tv

Hawaii Five-O

1968

Hawaii Five-O

as Ramon Borelle

The Name of the Game

tv

The Name of the Game

1968

The Name of the Game

as Kubani

The Scalphunters

movie

The Scalphunters

1968

The Scalphunters

as Joseph Lee

Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class

movie

Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class

1968

Still A Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class

as Narrator

The Outsider

movie

The Outsider

1967

The Outsider

as Lt. Wagner

Black Liberation

movie

Black Liberation

1967

Black Liberation

as Narrator

CineRaya

movie

Now is the Time

1967

Now is the Time

as Self

A Man Called Adam

movie

A Man Called Adam

1966

A Man Called Adam

as Nelson Davis

Run for Your Life

tv

Run for Your Life

1965

Run for Your Life

as Frankie Morton

Run for Your Life

tv

Run for Your Life

1965

Run for Your Life

as Dave Corbett

Run for Your Life

tv

Run for Your Life

1965

Run for Your Life

as Sgt. Dave Corbett

CineRaya

movie

The Sun... the Sand... the Hill

1965

The Sun... the Sand... the Hill

as Jason King (archival footage)

CineRaya

movie

The Sun... the Sand... the Hill

1965

The Sun... the Sand... the Hill

as Jason King (archive footage)

The Hill

movie

The Hill

1965

The Hill

as Jacko King

12 O'Clock High

tv

12 O'Clock High

1964

12 O'Clock High

as Major Glenn Luke

Shock Treatment

movie

Shock Treatment

1964

Shock Treatment

as Capshaw

The Cardinal

movie

The Cardinal

1963

The Cardinal

as Father Gillis

The Great Adventure

tv

The Great Adventure

1963

The Great Adventure

as John Ross

The Fugitive

tv

The Fugitive

1963

The Fugitive

as Lt. Johnny Gaines

Gone Are the Days!

movie

Gone Are the Days!

1963

Gone Are the Days!

as Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson

Hands of Inge

movie

Hands of Inge

1962

Hands of Inge

as Narrator (voice)

The Defenders

tv

The Defenders

1961

The Defenders

as Nixie

The Defenders

tv

The Defenders

1961

The Defenders

as Officer Bond

The Defenders

tv

The Defenders

1961

The Defenders

as District Attorney

The Defenders

tv

The Defenders

1961

The Defenders

as Assistant District Attorney

The Defenders

tv

The Defenders

1961

The Defenders

as District Attorney Daniel Jackson

John Brown's Raid

movie

John Brown's Raid

1960

John Brown's Raid

as Dangerfield Newby

Bonanza

tv

Bonanza

1959

Bonanza

as Sam Davis

Tony Awards

tv

Tony Awards

1956

Tony Awards

as Self - Presenter

Hallmark Hall of Fame

tv

Hallmark Hall of Fame

1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Charles Carter

Fourteen Hours

movie

Fourteen Hours

1951

Fourteen Hours

as Cab Driver (uncredited)

No Way Out

movie

No Way Out

1950

No Way Out

as John Brooks (uncredited)

Kraft Television Theatre

tv

Kraft Television Theatre

1947

Kraft Television Theatre

as The Emperor Jones

Haiti: Killing the Dream

movie

Haiti: Killing the Dream

TBA

Haiti: Killing the Dream

Ossie Davis – Biography, Movies & Updates | CineRaya