Thursday, June 12, 2014

John Malveaux: USAToday.com: 'Actress Ruby Dee dies at 91'

Ruby Dee
(USA Today, Louis Lanzano AP)

John Malveaux of 
sends this link:


NEW YORK — Her long career brought her an Oscar nomination at age 83 for best supporting actress for her role in the 2007 film American Gangster. She also won an Emmy and was nominated for several others. Age didn't slow her down.

"I think you mustn't tell your body, you mustn't tell your soul, 'I'm going to retire,'" Dee told The Associated Press in 2001. "You may be changing your life emphasis, but there's still things that you have in mind to do that now seems the right time to do. I really don't believe in retiring as long as you can breathe."

Since meeting on Broadway in 1946, she and her late husband, actor Ossie Davis, were frequent collaborators. Their partnership rivaled the achievements of other celebrated performing couples, such as Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy.

But they were more than a performing couple. They were also activists who fought for civil rights, particularly for blacks.

Comment by email:
John Malveaux writes: Elise Woodson, Program Manager & Curator of Education at the California African American Museum sent me the following email:

"Yes, I read that. A true genius, actor/writer. I was so disappointed when she did not receive the Oscar for American Gangster. She so deserved it for her body of work and for her brilliant portrayal of Denzel's character's mother. Thanks for sharing.  Elise"  [Elise Woodson]

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