Birthname: Ruby Ann Wallace
Date of Birth: 27 October 1924 - Cleveland, OH

theOscarSite Bio: Born in Cleveland, OH, Dee grew up in Harlem, New York City. She graduated in 1945 from Hunter College with degrees in French and Spanish, and she made several appearances on Broadway before receiving national recognition for her role as Rae Robinson in the 1950 film THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY.

Dee's career in acting has crossed all major forms of media over a span of eight decades, including the films A RAISIN IN THE SUN (1961), in which she recreated her stage role as a suffering housewife in the projects, and EDGE OF THE CITY (1957). She played both roles opposite Sidney Poitier. During the 1960s, Dee appeared in such politically charged films as GONE ARE THE DAYS (1963) and THE INCIDENT (1967), which is recognized as helping pave the way for young African-American actors and filmmakers.

Dee has been nominated for eight Emmy® Awards and has won once - for her role in the 1990 TV film "Decoration Day." She was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress in 2007 for her portrayal of Mama Lucas in AMERICAN GANGSTER. At 83, Dee is currently the second oldest nominee for Best Supporting Actress, behind Gloria Stuart who was 87 for her role in TITANIC (1997). This was Dee's first nomination.

Dee and her late husband Ossie Davis (1917-2005) together wrote an autobiography in which they discuss their political activism as well as insights on their open marriage. Together they had three children; son, blues musician Guy Davis, and two daughters, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad. Dee has survived breast cancer for more than 30 years.

Dee and Davis were well-known civil rights activists. Among others, Dee is a member of Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Dee and Davis were personal friends of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, with Davis giving the eulogy at the latter's funeral in 1965.

· Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2007: AMERICAN GANGSTER