Comments on: Ossie Davis, 1917-2005

By: Linda L.

Linda L. — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 19:20:11 +0000

Ossie Davis another great legend has passed on to be with the Lord, Ruby you have my sympathy, you and Ossie made life and love and marriage a good thing. Mr. Davis will truly be missed, he left a legacy that noone can and ever will replace. The one thing that he left is his movies and we can continue to watch them and remember him as the greatest movie maker of all times. Mr. Davis may you “Rest In Peace”. I know that God Angel that he reserved for you is waiting at the door for “YOU”. “A True Believer”

By: In my own little corner...

In my own little corner... — Sun, 06 Feb 2005 17:36:47 +0000

RIP, Mr. Davis
Ossie Davis, star of stage,

By: Respectful Insolence

Respectful Insolence — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 20:03:02 +0000

Another passing
Ossie Davis passed away yesterday at the age of 87. Davis wrote, acted, directed and produced for the theater and Hollywood. He was a central figure among black performers over the last several decades and a civil rights activist…

By: Evon Bachaus

Evon Bachaus — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 14:49:49 +0000

One can appreciate someone’s skills and disagree with their opinions. Vanessa Redgrave and Colleen Dewhurst come to mind for me, along with Ossie Davis. I disagree [in Davis and Dewhurst's case, disagreed] with their politics but go out of my way to watch anything with them in it.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 13:14:46 +0000

Andy,

I agree totally with what you said. I didn’t say I thought it was hypocritical…I was just bringing up an interesting little tidbit that I had learned several years back.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 02:26:32 +0000

Mike M.

Ossie’s forte was theatre. As such, the man had talent and I think that pretty much everyone can agree on that. So when we note his passing, we’re focusing on his contributions to the performing arts.

How would it be hypocritical to recognize a person’s talent in one area and dismiss it in another?

The article that you referenced pretty much looks at Ossie the political thinker and wanna-be social critic. This is probably where we part ways on Ossie the man. The man ain’t no Reagan as far as crossing over from the arts to politics.

In short, my little bit of conservative preaching;
Ossie: Great Actor, Average Marxist Apologist
Reagan: Great Free-Market Apologist, Average Actor

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 02:16:07 +0000

Looks like he died while doing what he loved to do. He lived a full life that touched many people. His memory will live on for a long time to come.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 01:19:52 +0000

We watched a documentary in said class last year called “Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist.” It was about the Red Scare and African Americans.

Ossie was particularly effective in describing how it was even worse for blacks trying to find work during the Communist witch hunts.

I remember the Weekly Standard wrote a particularly nasty opinion piece on Ossie several years back. I just found the link, which I placed in my name.

Just thought I’d relate my Ossie story to you guys with a little bit of liberal preaching in there.

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 23:11:22 +0000

I liked his role in I’m not Rappaport with Walt Malthau. What talent.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 23:01:35 +0000

Oh my,

What a terribly talented actor.

When I took my Blacks in Cinema course last year a large portion of the class was devoted to his work.

What a dignified and stately performer he was. I didn’t know he was 87, though. He certainly aged gracefully.

Ossie, you will be missed.

By: Jerry McClellan

Jerry McClellan — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 21:40:44 +0000

Very sad indeed. He seemed like a good man and a great actor.

By: Mark La Roi

Mark La Roi — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 20:30:50 +0000

I really enjoyed he and his wife’s acting. Very much. This is a loss.

By: SCSIwuzzy

SCSIwuzzy — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 19:46:53 +0000

Oh my Lord. This makes me sad.
I’ve always like Ossie.
Anyone see Bubba Ho-Tep?
He plays a man in a retirement home, who is convinced he is JFK. When someone points out JHK was white, he whispers “The CIA dyed me black”…
Only davis could bring a level of dignity and fun to role like that.

By: red

red — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 19:21:16 +0000

The book that Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee wrote about their marriage and acting partnership is truly wonderful and inspirational. He will be very much missed, and my prayers are with Ruby Dee today.

By: The Glittering Eye

The Glittering Eye — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 18:10:22 +0000

Catching my eye: morning A through Z
Here’s what’s caught my eye this morning: A Guy in Pajamas remembers Buddy Holly and Don McLean’s song American Pie. I wonder if he’s ever thought about the words to Mack the Knife? There’s an excellent post from KipEsquire of…