Ruby Dee has died. She was 91 years old.
Dee commanded the Broadway stage since the 1940's, eventually being written into the history books for her star-making performance as Ruth Younger in the original production of A Raisin in the Sun. She reprised the character on the big screen in 1961. Her film career, as with many black actors at the time, was heavily marginalized. She had better luck on television, appearing on many shows and even helped bring the theater to everyone's living rooms with several televised plays. It wasn't until the 80's and beyond that her place in film was made, thanks to upstart directors like Spike Lee. She stole scenes in movies like Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, and American Gangster; the latter film awarded her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Of course, her career in the arts is absolutely pointless when compared to her fruitful life as a civil rights activist, often with her husband Ossie Davis by her side.
She will be missed.
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