Born in Cogdell, Georgia, Davis left Howard University in 1939 to pursue acting after a recommendation from Alain Locke, later studying at Columbia’s School of General Studies while beginning his stage work with the Rose McClendon Players and serving in the Army Medical Corps.
His Broadway debut came in 1946’s Jeb, and a Tony nomination followed for Jamaica (1958); he wrote and starred in the s… Read more
Biography written by WatchMoods, based on public sources
Known for Doctor Dolittle 1998 Dinosaur 2000 Do the Right Thing 1989 Malcolm X 1992 Series ★ 8 Third Watch 1999
Mr. Parker ★ 7.7 12 Angry Men 1997
Juror 2 ★ 7.7 Gladiator 1992
Noah Series ★ 7.5 Bonanza 1959
Sam Davis ★ 7.5 The Hill 1965
Jacko King Series ★ 7.2 Touched by an Angel 1994
Gabriel Series ★ 7.6 Baseball 1994
Various (voice) Series ★ 7.5 Roots: The Next Generations 1979
'Dad' Jones ★ 7.2 Fourteen Hours 1951
Cab Driver (uncredited) ★ 7.5 The Secret Path 1999
Too Tall Series ★ 6.8 The Stand 1994
Judge Richard Farris ★ 6.9 No Way Out 1950
John Brooks (uncredited) Series ★ 7.2 12 O'Clock High 1964
Major Glenn Luke Series ★ 7 Alex Haley's Queen 1993
Parson Dick ★ 6.9 Let's Do It Again 1975
Elder Johnson ★ 6.7 The Client 1994
Harry Roosevelt ★ 6.7 Night Gallery 1969
Osmond Portifoy ★ 6.5 Miss Evers' Boys 1997
Mr. Evers ★ 6.5 The Cardinal 1963
Father Gillis ★ 6.5 Baadasssss! 2004
Granddad ★ 6.4 Get on the Bus 1996
Jeremiah / 'Pop' ★ 5.7 I'm Not Rappaport 1996
Midge Carter ★ 5.7 Sam Whiskey 1969
Jed Hooker ★ 6.4 Jungle Fever 1991
Reverend Purify ★ 5.9 Harry & Son 1984
Raymond ★ 5.3 Avenging Angel 1985
Capt. Harry Moradian ★ 5.6 School Daze 1988
Coach Odom ★ 5.2 She Hate Me 2004
Judge Buchanan ★ 5.8 Joe Versus the Volcano 1990
Marshall Start from another title 
