Ruby Dee attends a special screening of

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee pose in front of the movie poster at the opening night gala of their film

Lifetime achievement award winners Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee pose with their award at the 7th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, in Los Angeles, in this March 11, 2001, photo.

In this Oct. 28, 1957, photo provided by Paramount Pictures, Nat

Ruby Dee, left, and director Spike Lee attend a special 20th anniversary screening of

Ruby Dee, right, nominated for an Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for her work in “American Gangster,” arrives for the 80th Academy Awards in Los Angeles in this 2008 photo.