Ruby Dee

Dee at the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s 16th Annual Diversity Awards. Globe Theatre, Universal City, CA. 11-23-08, s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Ruby Ann Wallace

Date of Birth: October 27, 1922

Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Death: June 11, 2014

Place of Death: New Rochelle, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American

Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist. She starred in the original stage production of A Raisin in the Sun. Her films included The Jackie Robinson Story, the adaptation A Raisin in the Sun (1961), Do the Right Thing, and American Gangster.

Ruby was the daughter of Gladys (Hightower) and Marshall Edward Nathaniel Wallace, who was a cook, waiter, and porter. Her stepmother was Emma Benson, a schoolteacher. Ruby was married to actor, director, poet, playwright, and activist Ossie Davis, until his death. The couple had three children, including blues guitarist and banjo player Guy Davis.

Ruby’s paternal grandfather was named Marshall Wallace.

Ruby’s paternal grandmother was named Angel Morton.

Ruby’s maternal grandfather was Thomas Peter Hightower (the son of Thomas Peter Hightower and Jennie Manley). Ruby’s grandfather Thomas was born in Ohio. Ruby’s great-grandfather Thomas was the son of Elias Dorsey Hightower and Mary Ann Peek.

Ruby’s maternal grandmother was Lillian Mosely (the daughter of Robert Mosely and Jennie Moody). Lillian was born in Ohio.

Source: Ruby’s mother on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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