Ruby Dee - Actor Profile

Ruby Dee

Acting
Updated: May 09, 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).

Ruby Dee Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ruby Dee reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ruby Dee's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 92% of Ruby Dee's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ruby Dee Movies Ranked

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

Full Filmography

Every movie Ruby Dee has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2013 Betty and Coretta Narrator Hit Similar →
2013 Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal Self Super Hit 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 Hit Similar →
2000 Finding Buck McHenry Mrs. Henry Hit Similar →
2000 A Storm in Summer Grandmother Average Similar →
1999 The Unfinished Journey Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1999 Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years Annie Elizabeth 'Bessie' Delany Hit Similar →
1999 Paul Robeson: Here I Stand Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 A Time To Dance: The Life and Work of Norma Canner Narrator Hit Similar →
1998 The Wall Mrs. Mitchell (segment "The Badge") Hit Similar →
1998 Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood Self Super Hit Similar →
1997 Sports on the Silver Screen Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1995 Tuesday Morning Ride Jennie Hit Similar →
1993 The Ernest Green Story Lydia Wilson Hit Similar →
1992 Color Adjustment Narrator Hit Similar →
1991 Jazztime Tale Narrator (voice) 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 →
1990 Zora is My Name! Zora Neale Hurston Super 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 →
1980 All God's Children Irene Whitfield Hit Similar →
1980 The Torture of Mothers: The Case of the Harlem Six - Hit Similar →
1976 Countdown at Kusini Leah Matanzima Hit Similar →
1974 It's Good to Be Alive Ruth Campanella Hit Similar →
1973 Chelsea D.H.O. Dr. Bianca Pearson Super Hit Similar →
1972 Black Girl Netta's mother Hit Similar →
1972 To Be Young, Gifted and Black Lorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters Hit Similar →
1970 King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1969 Deadlock Lucinda Super Hit Similar →
1968 Uptight Laurie Hit Similar →
1967 The Incident Joan Robinson Hit Similar →
1963 Gone Are the Days! Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins Super Hit Similar →
1961 A Raisin in the Sun Ruth Younger Super Hit Similar →
1958 St. Louis Blues Elizabeth Super Hit Similar →
1957 Edge of the City Lucy Tyler Hit 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 →
1948 The Fight Never Ends - Super Hit Similar →
1948 What a Guy - Hit Similar →
1947 Easy to Get Drugstore Girl Super Hit Similar →
1946 That Man of Mine Joan Super Hit 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 "Zora is My Name!", "Sports on the Silver Screen", and "Deadlock".

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