 Ossie Davis appeared in seven of Spike Lee's films |
Film-maker Spike Lee has paid tribute to actor Ossie Davis, who died recently at the age of 87. Davis appeared in seven of Lee's films, including 1992's Malcolm X, in which the actor re-created the speech he gave at the civil rights leader's funeral.
The actor was remembered at an event to launch the DVD release of Malcolm X and the 40th anniversary of his death.
Lee said that Davis and his actress wife Ruby Dee gave him "courage to take stands that might be unpopular".
Lee showed a short film detailing the highlights of Davis's 65-year career, which he said had guided him politically and creatively.
Several hundred people attended the event at the Schomburg Center For Black Research in Harlem, New York, including actors Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes.
 Spike Lee worked with Davis on a number of his films |
Washington, who played the lead role in Malcolm X, said that Davis was now "in good care and company".
The 87-year-old was found dead in his hotel room in Florida, where he was making a film. Police said that he appeared to have died of natural causes.
Other Lee films that Davis appeared in included Jungle Fever and Do The Right Thing. His 1950 debut was in No Way Out starring Sidney Poitier.
The Actors' Equity Association issued a statement following the news of Davis's death, calling him "an icon in the American theatre".
One-Minute World News 
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