Civil rights activist, actor, author, and humanitarian Ruby Dee will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award and is also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. The Chairman’s Award will be presented to her during the February 14 live broadcast of the 39th NAACP Image Awards on FOX (8p.m. ET/PT), it was announced today by Vicangelo Bulluck, executive producer of the telecast.
The Chairman’s Award, is personally chosen by NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond, and is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.
“Ruby Dee is a true American icon who has inspired generations of young actors and filmmakers.” said Bond. “She is an accomplished actor, writer, and a tireless political activist. It's a rare privilege when you get to honor someone who has led by example.”
“The Chairman’s Award is one of three special NAACP Image Awards that will be presented this year,” stated NAACP Image Awards’ Chairman Clayola Brown. “The other previously announced honors include the Hall of Fame Award to be presented to Stevie Wonder and the Vanguard Award being given to Aretha Franklin. I think our honorees this year are inspiring. It should make for a very exciting and culturally informative show.”
Dee was born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Harlem, New York. She graduated from Hunter College in 1945 with degrees in French and Spanish. She made several appearances on Broadway before receiving national recognition for her role in the 1950 film The Jackie Robinson Story.
Dee's career in acting has crossed all major forms of media for more than 60 years, including the films A Raisin in the Sun and Do the Right Thing. During the 1960s, Dee appeared in such politically charged films as Up Tight and The Incident.
In recognition of their long esteemed career, Ruby Dee and her late husband Ossie Davis (1917-2005) were both inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame in 1989.
She has been nominated for six Emmy Awards, winning for her role in the 1990 TV film Decoration Day.
She was nominated for her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007 for her portrayal of "Mama Lucas" in American Gangster. At 83 years old, Dee is currently the second oldest nominee for Best Supporting Actress, behind Gloria Stuart who was 87 for her role in Titanic.
In 2007, Dee and Davis tied with former president Jimmy Carter for the Grammy Award in the Best Spoken Word Album category for their joint autobiography, With Ossie & Ruby: In This Life Together, in which they discuss their political activism, and share insights on their long marriage. Together they had three children: a son Guy Davis; and two daughters, Nora Davis Day and Hasna Muhammad.
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its more than half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitors of equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information on the NAACP Image Awards, please visit www.naacpimageawards.net
Event Sponsors:
FedEx returns as a major sponsor this year. Additional sponsors include American Airlines, Allstate Insurance Company, Best Buy, Chevrolet, Ford Motor Company, Sprint, Verizon, Wachovia Corporation, Ciroc, Crown Royal and Johnnie Walker.
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For more information on the NAACP and the NAACP Image Awards visit www.naacpimageawards.net.
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