- In 2008, at age 85, she became the second oldest actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. The oldest is Gloria Stuart.
- Says her favorite quote comes from the book, "Charlotte's Web": "'Isn't life peculiar!' said Jeremy. 'Compared to what?' said the spider.".
- Attended and graduated from Hunter College with degrees in French and Spanish in 1944.
- Had appeared with her husband Ossie Davis in nine films: No Way Out (1950), Gone Are the Days! (1963), The Sheriff (1971), Cool Red (1976), Roots: The Next Generations (1979), All God's Children (1980), Do the Right Thing (1989), Jungle Fever (1991) and The Stand (1994).
- 2004: Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and husband Ossie Davis.
- Had appeared with Sidney Poitier in four films: No Way Out (1950), Edge of the City (1957), A Raisin in the Sun (1961) and Buck and the Preacher (1972).
- 1995: She and husband Ossie Davis were awarded the American National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.
- Ruby was an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- 1989: Voted into the NAACP image award Hall of Fame with husband Ossie Davis.
- In early 2003, she and her husband signed "Not In My Name", a statement opposing the impending invasion of Iraq. Other signatories included Susan Sarandon, Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn.
- Lifelong friend of Marla Gibbs.
- She was a member of the NAACP, CORE, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Southern Christian Leadership Council.
- Her ashes are inurned with Ossie at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.
- Ruby was one of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.
- Grandmother of Muta'Ali.
- Has seven grandchildren.
- Aunt of Tommy Wallace Jr..
- Had appeared with Sidney Poitier in four films: No Way Out (1950), Edge of the City (1957), A Raisin in the Sun (1961) and Buck and the Preacher (1972)." Also in "Go Man Go" (1954), as Poitier's wife.
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