1. Jeremiah Archer 2-23-12
Reading
Ossie Davis lived in the years 1917-2005.Ossie Davis
was an actor, director, poet, playwright, writer and
social artist.Ossie Davis was born in Raiford Chatman
Davis in Cog dell, Georgia. Ossie Davis’ acting career
spans seven decades, beginning in 1939 with the
Rose McClendon Players in Harlem.Ossie Davis
followed the wishes of his parents.Ossie Davis
attended Howard University but dropped out in 1939
to pursue his acting career in New York.Ossie Davis
later attended Colombia University School of
General Studies.Ossie Davis did not want to play
stereotypical subservient roles, he tries to follow the
example of Sidney Poiter and play more
distinguished characters.Ossie Davis found it
necessary to play a Pullman porter or a butler.Ossie
Davis tried to inject the role with a certain degree of

2. dignity.Ossie Davis was one of a handful of African
American actors able to find commercials success
while avoiding stereotypical roles prior to 1970.