Ruby Dee - Actor Profile

Ruby Dee

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 27, 1922
Birth Place: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

About Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee (October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist. She originated the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun. Her other notable film roles include The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Do the Right Thing (1989) and American Gangster (2007).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ruby Dee reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Ruby Dee's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 50% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ruby Dee remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Ruby Dee Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ruby Dee's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ruby Dee.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2013 Betty and Coretta Narrator Hit Similar →
2013 Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal Self Super Hit Similar →
2012 A Thousand Words Annie McCall Average Similar →
2011 Video Girl Valerie Average Similar →
2011 The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll Miss Candy Average Similar →
2009 A Place Out of Time: The Bordentown School Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
2007 American Gangster Mama Lucas Super Hit Similar →
2007 In the Shadow of Hollywood: Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema Herself Hit Similar →
2006 Discovering William Greaves Self Hit Similar →
2006 The Way Back Home Maude Hit Similar →
2006 No. 2 Nanna Maria Average Similar →
2005 Their Eyes Were Watching God Nanny Flop Similar →
2000 A Storm in Summer Grandmother Average Similar →
1999 The Unfinished Journey Narrator (voice) Average Similar →
1999 Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany Super Hit Similar →
1999 Passing Glory Mommit Porter Average Similar →
1998 The Wall Mrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge") Average Similar →
1997 A Simple Wish Hortence Average Similar →
1997 Sports on the Silver Screen Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1996 Mr. and Mrs. Loving Sophia Average Similar →
1995 Just Cause Evangeline Ferguson Average Similar →
1995 Tuesday Morning Ride Jennie Average Similar →
1994 Whitewash Grandmother (voice) Average Similar →
1993 The Ernest Green Story Lydia Wilson Hit Similar →
1992 Color Adjustment Narrator Hit Similar →
1991 Jungle Fever Lucinda Purify Average Similar →
1990 Decoration Day Rowena Hit Similar →
1990 The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson Jackie's Mother Hit Similar →
1989 Making 'Do the Right Thing' Self Hit Similar →
1989 Do the Right Thing Mother Sister Super Hit Similar →
1984 Go Tell It on the Mountain Mrs. Grimes Average Similar →
1982 Long Day's Journey Into Night Mary Tyrone Average Similar →
1982 Cat People Female Average Similar →
1974 It's Good to Be Alive Ruth Campanella Hit Similar →
1972 Black Girl Netta's mother Average Similar →
1972 Buck and the Preacher Ruth Average Similar →
1971 The Sheriff Sue Ann Lucas Flop Similar →
1970 King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1968 Uptight Laurie Hit Similar →
1967 The Incident Joan Robinson Hit Similar →
1963 Gone Are the Days! Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins Hit Similar →
1963 The Balcony Thief Flop Similar →
1961 A Raisin in the Sun Ruth Younger Super Hit Similar →
1959 Virgin Island Ruth Flop Similar →
1958 St. Louis Blues Elizabeth Super Hit Similar →
1957 Edge of the City Lucy Tyler Hit Similar →
1954 Go Man Go Irma Jackson Average Similar →
1951 The Tall Target Rachel Hit Similar →
1950 No Way Out Connie Brooks (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1950 The Jackie Robinson Story Rae Robinson Average Similar →

Ruby Dee - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ruby Dee?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ruby Dee is "Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Ruby Dee acted in?

Ruby Dee has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ruby Dee?

Other notable films include "Sports on the Silver Screen", "Do the Right Thing", and "A Raisin in the Sun".