December 18,1917 ·Cogdell, Georgia, USA

February 4,2005 ·Miami Beach, Florida, USA (natural causes)

Raiford Chatman Davis

1.89 m

Deep commanding voice

Was a featured speaker at the funeral of bothMartin Luther King andMalcolm X.

His brother, Dr. William Davis, a professor in San Antonio, TX,holds several patents, one of which is for the chemical process toproduce instant mashed potatoes.

The county clerk misunderstood his mother's dialectal pronunciation ofhis initials "R.C." when he was born. He thought he heard "Ossie" andregistered him as such. The name stuck.

Had played the father ofJennifer Beals' character onEru no sekai (2004). In a powerful performance, fitting of his legacy, his character died in the episode,L-Chaim (2005). This was his final performance before his own death, and the episode was dedicated to his memory.

Served in the United States Army during World War II as a medical technician.

College ain't so much where you been as how you talk when you get back.

Struggle is strengthening. Battling with evil gives us the power to battle evil even more.

Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change--it can not only move us, it makes us move.

I find, in being black, a thing of beauty: a joy; a strength; a secret cup of gladness.

[Speaking about the Harlem Renaissance] If I had to choose between Heaven and Harlem, Harlem would win every time.