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Ossie Davis
Life Time
18 December 1917 - 4 February 2005
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Raiford Chatman Davis Ossie Davis is one of the most experienced character actors, but he is also a director, producer, writer and playwright. The son of a railway engineer, Aussie earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and moved to New York to become a writer. But at the same time he began to study dramatic art. Despite the diploma, a permanent job could not be found. Davis then spent a couple of years doing Army productions. In 1946, Davis made his Broadway debut. The show did not last
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Raiford Chatman Davis Ossie Davis is one of the most experienced character actors, but he is also a director, producer, writer and playwright. The son of a railway engineer, Aussie earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and moved to New York to become a writer. But at the same time he began to study dramatic art.
Despite the diploma, a permanent job could not be found. Davis then spent a couple of years doing Army productions. In 1946, Davis made his Broadway debut. The show did not last long, but introduced Aussie to Ruby Dee, his future wife.
By 1950, Davis was already considered an experienced supporting actor. Another ten years were spent on something like a movie career and a job in television. In the '60s, black actors became better received on television, and Davis got more invitations.
In 1963, Aussie remade the play "Gone Are the Days" for the movie and played in the scripted film. In 1970, Davis made his directorial debut with Cotton Comes to Harlem.