Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee, the award-winning actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and activist was born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, but grew up in Harlem. She graduated in 1945 from Hunter College in New York. Dee's career in acting has crossed all major forms of media over a span of eight decades, including the films "A Raisin in the Sun," in which she recreated her stage role as a suffering housewife in the projects.

Actress Ruby Dee, nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress, for "American Gangster," poses for a photograph in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. She made several appearances on Broadway before receiving national recognition for her role in the 1950 film The Jackie Robinson Story.

Oscar nominees Ruby Dee and Hal Holbrook, pose for a photo at the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Dee has been nominated for eight Emmy Awards, winning once for her role in the 1990 TV film Decoration Day. She was also nominated for her television guest appearance in the China Beach episode, "Skylark." Her late husband Ossie Davis (1917-2005) also appeared in that episode.

Ruby Dee in "American Gangster" — Universal Pictures

Ruby Dee in a scene from "American Gangster." During the 1960s, Dee appeared in such politically charged films as "Gone Are the Days" and "The Incident," which is recognized as helping pave the way for young African-American actors and filmmakers.

Ruby Dee poses with the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for her work in "American Gangster" at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Ruby Dee makes an award presentation at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in Los Angeles. Dee and husband Ossie Davis were well-known civil rights activists. Together they wrote an autobiography in which they discuss their political activism as well as insights on their marriage. Married more than 50 years, they had three children.

Actors Morgan Freeman, left, Ruby Dee, accepting for her husband Ossie Davis, and director Woodie King, Jr., are shown after being honored as the 2006 Ford Freedom Award winners in Detroit, Monday, May 15, 2006. Davis was awarded the 2006 Ford Freedom Award posthumously, for a life dedicated to improving the African American community and the world in general.

Actress Ruby Dee accepts an award on behalf of her late husband, actor Ossie Davis, at the 2005 Film Life Black Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005.

Actress Ruby Dee is shown at her husband Ossie Davis' funeral at Riverside Church in New York on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005. Actor and civil rights activist Davis was 87 years old when he died Feb. 4, 2005, in Miami Beach, Fla.

Actors and activists Ruby Dee, second from right, and her husband Ossie Davis, left, wait to be arrested while protesting Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at New York's police headquarters.

President Bush, right, and first lady Laura Bush, second right, stand with Ossie Davis, second left, and Ruby Dee, left, during the National Anthem at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004. Husband-and-wife actors, writers and producers Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were among the recipients honored at the 27th annual national celebration of the arts.

Actress Ruby Dee attends the world premiere of "The Manchurian Candidate" July 19, 2004, in New York.

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee arrive at New York's Apollo Theater before a taped celebration of the theater's 70th anniversary Sunday, March 28, 2004.

Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis arrive for a memorial celebration honoring the artistic legacy of Gregory Hines Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003, at New York's Apollo Theater.