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American Gangster

2007
as Mama Lucas

A Thousand Words

2012
as Annie McCall

America

2009
as Mrs. Harper

Betty and Coretta

2013
as Narrator

A Storm in Summer

2000
as Grandmother

Passing Glory

1999
as Mommit Porter

Black Girl

1972
as Netta's mother

Love at Large

1990
as Corrine Dart

Zora is My Name!

1990
as Zora Neale Hurston

It's Good to Be Alive

1974
as Ruth Campanella

The Feast of All Saints

2001
as Elsie Claviere

Video Girl

2011
as Valerie

Uptight

1968
as Laurie

Color Adjustment

1992
as Narrator

A Raisin in the Sun

1961
as Ruth Younger

No. 2

2006
as Nanna Maria

The Incident

1967
as Joan Robinson

Edge of the City

1957
as Lucy Tyler

A Simple Wish

1997
as Hortence

The Ernest Green Story

1993
as Mrs. Lydia Wilson

Jungle Fever

1991
as Lucinda Purify

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

1979
as Grandmother Baker

All About Us

2007
as Ms. Ella

Just Cause

1995
as Evangeline

And When I Die, I Won't Stay Dead

2015
as Self (archive footage)

To Be Young, Gifted, and Black

1972
as Lorraine Hansberry and other assorted characters

The Tall Target

1951
as Rachel, Slave Maid

Do the Right Thing

1989
as Mother Sister

The Atlanta Child Murders

1985
as Faye Williams

St. Louis Blues

1958
as Elizabeth

Countdown at Kusini

1976
as Leah Matanzima

Taking Back Our Town

2001
as Emelda West

Take a Giant Step

1959
as Christine

Cop and ½

1993
as Rachel

Decoration Day

1990
as Rowena

Gone Are the Days!

1963
as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins

Cat People

1982
as Female

The Stand

1994
as Mother Abagail Freemantle

The Balcony

1963
as Thief

Steam

2007
as Doris

The Sheriff

1971
as Sue Ann Lucas

Writer

Movie Uptight 1968

Producer

Movie Uptight 1968

Guest Star

Episode The Fugitive
Decision in the Ring
1963
Episode CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Empty Eyes
2007
Episode Def Poetry
Episode 6
2004
Episode Cosby
Ol' Betsy
1999
Episode China Beach
Skylark
1990
Episode The Bold Ones: The Protectors
Deadlock
1969
Episode Evening Shade
They Can't Take That Away From Me (1)
1993
Episode East Side/West Side
No Hiding Place
1963
Episode Armchair Theatre
Neighbours
1966
Episode Between the Lions
Bug Beard
2001
Episode American Experience
Roots of Resistance: The Story of the Underground Railroad
1990
Episode The Dick Cavett Show
B.B. King, George Peppard, Ruby Dee, Bergen Evans
1970
Episode The Golden Girls
Wham, Bam, Thank You, Mammy
1990
Episode Soul!
Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis, Lucky Thompson
1972
Episode Touched by an Angel
The Christmas Gift
1999
Episode Police Woman
Target Black
1975
Episode Reading Rainbow
Simon's Book
1984