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Ossie Davis Headshot

Ossie Davis

Date of Death: February 04, 2005 (87)

Birth Place: Cogdell, GA, USA

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STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Special Benefit Production, 1988
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1985
Midge [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1965
Performer

Johannes

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1963
Performer

Sir Radio

[Broadway]
1961
Purlie Victorious Judson

[Broadway]
1959
Walter Lee Younger [Replacement]

Walter Lee Younger [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Cicero

[Broadway]
1955
Jacques

[Broadway]
1953
Dr. Joseph Clay

[Broadway]
1951
Al

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1951
Gabriel

[Broadway]
1951
Jo

[Broadway]
1950
Jacques

[Broadway]
1949
Stewart

[Broadway]
1948
Trem

[Broadway]
1946
Jeb Turner

Productions

 
[US Tour, 1999]
Cultural Adviser
 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 1985]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1963]
Producer

Writing

Bookwriter
Source Material
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2024 - Best Revival of a Play

Ossie Davis, Purlie Victorious

Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Musical

Ossie Davis, Purlie

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Ossie Davis, Jamaica

Videos

News


2024 IDEA AWARDS FOR THEATRE Recipients Announced

The Bret Adams and Paul Reisch Foundation has announced the recipients of their 2024 Idea Awards for Theatre.
Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre To Celebrate 100th Anniversary This Month

Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre will turn 100 on Monday, November 11, 2024. In honor of the milestone, ATG Entertainment has commissioned a special piece from  Broadway caricaturist Justin 'Squigs' Robertson.
Cherríe Moraga & Richard Wesley Named 2024 Recipients of the Legacy Playwright Awards

Esteemed American playwrights Cherríe Moraga and Richard Wesley have been announced as the 2024 recipients of the Legacy Playwright Awards. Learn more about the playwrights and about the awards.
FROM KABUL WITH LOVE & More Receive Theatre Aspen 2024 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund Grant

Theatre Aspen has revealed two grant recipients of the 2024 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the Fund and about the projects.
Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand to Bring Harold Clurman In LET IT BE ART! To Athens

Ronald Rand will perform his acclaimed solo play LET IT BE ART! as Harold Clurman in Athens during the Global Arts Education Summit, marking nearly 25 years of world tours. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Review: PURLIE VICTORIOUS at KARAMU

What did our critic think of PURLIE VICTORIOUS at KARAMU? Neither Ruby Dee or Ossie Davis ever appeared in a Karamu stage production but both had significant presence and impact in the organization and in the lives of Karamu artists. They often visited for speaking engagements, to instruct master classes, and to support Karamu's mission. The duo met at Karamu.
The North Carolina Black Repertory Company Unveils 2025 Season Featuring FENCES & More

The North Carolina Black Repertory Company has revealed its 2025 Season, A King's Plight. The company's forty-sixth season will feature three mainstage productions that shine a light on Black patriarchs. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Theatre Aspen to Present Six New Works at SOLO FLIGHTS FESTIVAL

Theatre Aspen revealed the six newworks selected for the fifth annual Solo Flights Festival. Learn how to purchase tickets.
American Theater Group to Present MY ITALY STORY and PURLIE in 2024-25 Season

American Theater Group (ATG), Central NJ's professional regional theater company, will present the endearing My Italy Story by NJ playwright Joseph Gallo as its 2024-25 Season Opener, followed by the exhilarating and Tony Award-winning musical Purlie written by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell with music by Gary Geld.
Len Cariou, Anthony Rapp And More Announced for Theatre Aspen SOLO FLIGHTS Festival

THEATRE ASPEN has announced the lineup for its fifth annual SOLO FLIGHTS festival, featuring a diverse range of solo performances. The festival continues to celebrate and showcase individual storytelling talent.
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE, Directed by Phylicia Rashad, Will Arrive On Broadway in 2025

BroadwayWorld has just learned that the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of Purpose, written by Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Two-time Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad, will come to Broadway in spring 2025. We have all of the details!
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust To Welcome Leslie Odom, Jr. For A BEHIND THE SCENES Conversation

Join Leslie Odom, Jr. for an exclusive conversation at the O'Reilly Theater in Pittsburgh on September 23, 2024.
Actor Bill Cobbs Passes Away at 90

Actor Bill Cobbs has passed away. Learn more about Cobbs' life and work.
5 Facts About PURLIE VICTORIOUS

Before you enjoy the Great Performances production, check out these five fascinating facts about the history and recent production of this groundbreaking play.
Video: Kara Young Accepts Tony Award For PURLIE VICTORIOUS

Tonight, Kara Young won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for PURLIE VICTORIOUS. Watch her acceptance speech in the video here!
Recap the 2024 Tony Awards Acceptance Speeches

The 77th Annual Tony Awards have officially begun! As winners take the stage this evening, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld as we bring you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.
Photos: Inside The Black Women on Broadway Awards

The Black Women on Broadway Awards returned for their third annual in-person event at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on June 10.
Exclusive: On the History and Hope of PURLIE VICTORIOUS

In this edition, we hear from producer Jeffrey Richards​​​​​​​, who contributed the below essay about his six-time Tony-nominated Best Revival of a Play, Purlie Victorious.
Video: Kara Young Is Coming for Her Tony Award

Did you know that with her Tony nomination for Purlie Victorious, Kara Young has become the fourth actress to be nominated for Tony Awards in three consecutive years and the first African American actress to be nominated three times in a row in any category? In this video, watch as she chats more about the incredible impact of this play, why being a part of it meant so much to her, and so much more!
THE GREAT GATSBY, THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL & More Win at the 21st Annual Theatre Fans' Choice Awards

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to announce the winners of the 21st Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ossie Davis been in?

Ossie Davis has appeared on Broadway in 15 shows.

How many West End shows has Ossie Davis been in?

Ossie Davis has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Ossie Davis been nominated for?

Ossie Davis has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical for his work in "Purlie" and also received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his performance in "Jamaica".

How many shows has Ossie Davis written?

Ossie Davis has written 4 shows including Purlie Victorious (Playwright), Purlie (Source Material), Bingo! (Bookwriter), A Last Dance for Sybil (Playwright).

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