Remembering Ossie Davis

Many people from my generation (Generation X) will fondly remember Ossie Davis from his 1980's appearances in various Spike Lee Joints (Spike's films for those not in the know). But, before the eighties Ossie Davis enjoyed a varied television career that started in the early 1950's. Davis' early television career credits should be duly noted because roles for African American actors were not as plentiful as they are today (such that they are).

A great many people will remember Ossie Davis in conjunction with his equally talented and more celebrated wife, actress Ruby Dee. Ossie married Ruby Dee before the start of his career in 1948. The union between Davis and Dee was notable in that they subscribed to the tenets of an open marriage. Always politically militant, they openly supported Paul Robeson during the McCarthy era witch hunts. The two were avid civil rights activists, and were both good friends with Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X.

Join me now as we take a look at some of the highlights of Ossie Davis' career through Netflix:

Let's Do It Again (1975) - Sydney Poitier directs and stars in this film alongside Bill Cosby, John Amos, and Jimmie Walker. Watch for Ossie Davis' appearance as Elder Johnson in this 70's film classic.

Do the Right Thing (1989) - This is probably my favorite Ossie Davis film. Ossie appears in this film with Ruby (as he often did in Spike Lee films). On the surface the two were adversaries as Ossie was the neighborhood drunk, Da Mayor, and Ruby was the resident holy rolling, do gooder. Watch as Ossie Davis dispenses wisdom through his drunken haze. This film also stars Spike Lee, Samuel Jackson, and Danny Aiello.

Jungle Fever (1991) - Here, Ossie Stars in another Spike Lee Joint alongside his wife. Ossie and Ruby play a married couple, the parents of Samuel L. Jackson and Wesley Snipes. Ossie portrays a hard edged, minister with no tolerance for backsliding, and an overall unforgiving heart. Jungle Fever also stars, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Anthony Quinn, Annabella Sciorra, and Michael Imperioli.

The L Word: Season 2 (2005) - During the second season of Showtime's breakout hit about the lives of five principle lesbian women, Ossie Davis made one of his final appearances. Watch for Ossie here as the disapproving father of Bette Porter's Sapphic, eight year relationship with Tina Kinnard. This acting role was in direct contrast with Ossie Davis' pro gay stance.

Ossie Davis died in 2004 in Miami, Florida of natural causes; he was 87 years old. Some of us who are students of the game will know his work well, some of us remember his distinct voice, and most of us remember his image. In any event, the film and television career of Ossie Davis deserves to celebrated.