Ossie Davis Dies

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Ossie Davis, the actor distinguished for roles dealing with racial injustice on stage, screen and in real life, has died, an aide said Friday. He was 87.

Davis, the longtime husband and partner of actress Ruby Dee, was found dead Friday in his hotel room in Miami Beach, Florida, according to officials there. He was making a film called Retirement, said Arminda Thomas, who works in his office in suburban New Rochelle and confirmed the death.

Davis, who wrote, acted, directed and produced for the theater and Hollywood, was a central figure among black performers of the last five decades. He and Dee celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998 with the publication of a dual autobiography, In This Life Together.

In Miami Beach, police spokesman Bobby Hernandez said Davis’ grandson called the police shortly before 7 a.m. when his grandfather would not open the door to his room at the Shore Club Hotel. Davis was found dead and there does not appear to be any foul play, Hernandez said.

Davis had just started his movie on Monday, said Michael Livingston, his Hollywood agent.

“I’m shocked,” Livingston said. “I’m absolutely shocked. He was the most wonderful man I’ve ever known. Such a classy, kindly man.” His wife had gone to New Zealand to make a movie there, Livingston said.

We at IP Movies send out our deepest condolances to the Davis family at this time of grief and sorrow.

For more on this story, including a nice background on Ossie, visit this CNN story.