Tweet Sheet: Celebs React to the Death of Ruby Dee

Tia Mowry, Spike Lee, Chuck D and more reflect on the icon.

Ruby Dee: October 27 - The veteran actress, who has starred in everything from A Raisin in the Sun to American Gangster, celebrates her 89th birthday. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

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In Loving Memory - Hollywood icon, and revered activist Ruby Dee died at the age of 91 surrounded by loved ones on the night of June 11, 2014. Dee leaves behind a slew of admirers, friends, and family, including three children, whom she raised with her deceased husband Ossie Davis. Even after her passing, her work will continue to inspire and uplift us all.

Spike Lee: March 20 - The iconic filmmaker and Brooklyn native celebrates his 57th birthday this week. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Spike Lee @SpikeLee - Tweet: People, I just found out the loss of spiritual mother, the late, great Ruby Dee. I'm crushed by this bad news and I know Ruby has already been embraced in a warm loving hug from her life partner of 57 years – Mr. Ossie Davis ... God Bless you Ruby Dee. God bless you Ossie Davis. The both of you told us "To Always Do The Right Thing."(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Omar Epps: July 20 - The star of The Wood and House M.D. turns 40. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Omar Epps @omarepps - Tweet: #RIP Ruby Dee! A true legend!(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Malinda Williams @MalinsWorld - Tweet: Ruby Dee... a legacy and representation of our culture that is unmatched. Rest well POWERFUL little lady. #RIP(Photo: Fitzroy Barrett / Splash News)

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Malinda Williams @MalinsWorld - Tweet: Ruby Dee... a legacy and representation of our culture that is unmatched. Rest well POWERFUL little lady. #RIP(Photo: Fitzroy Barrett / Splash News)

Marc Lamont Hill @marclamonthill - Tweet: Yet another legend has joined the ancestors. Rest in peace to the amazing Ruby Dee.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Marc Lamont Hill @marclamonthill - Tweet: Yet another legend has joined the ancestors. Rest in peace to the amazing Ruby Dee.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Don Lemon on how Black America can improve itself: - "Black people, if you really want to fix the problem, here's just five things that you should think about doing… Pull up your pants… The n-word: stop using it… Respect where you live… Finish school… And just because you can have a baby doesn’t mean you should." (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Don Lemon @donlemon - Tweet: The legendary Ruby Dee is gone. #RIP #RubyDee(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Roland Martin @rolandsmartin - Tweet: It was always a joy being in the company of Ruby Dee. Her hugs & kisses were as sincere as the kind words she spoke to you. A national treasure.(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

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Roland Martin @rolandsmartin - Tweet: It was always a joy being in the company of Ruby Dee. Her hugs & kisses were as sincere as the kind words she spoke to you. A national treasure.(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

Revernd Al Sharpton @TheRevAl - Tweet: Ruby Dee, a legendary actress, artist, and activist has passed. I knew her and admired her greatly. A jewel of a [woman].(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images For BET)

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Revernd Al Sharpton @TheRevAl - Tweet: Ruby Dee, a legendary actress, artist, and activist has passed. I knew her and admired her greatly. A jewel of a [woman].(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images For BET)

Anika Noni Rose - The Watsons Go to Birmingham actress says she still experiences racism regularly, and was even referred to as a "Black monkey" by a bigoted caller to a radio show while she was promoting the film. “I put that out there because I wanted people to see this is what happened, so let’s not get really comfortable and let’s not forget to teach how wrong this is and to teach love,” she explains. (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

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Anika Noni Rose @AnikaNoniRose - Tweet: #RIP, Ruby Dee. Thank you for paving the way with your brilliance, beauty, fight and grace.(Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Tia Mowry on Charlize Theron being mean to her: - "She wasn't very nice to me. I said 'Hi,' and she actually rolled her eyes and said, 'Oh my God.'...Charlize was just mean. I'm just being honest." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Tia Mowry @TiaMowry - Tweet: RIP Ruby Dee(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Debbie Allen on the current state of celebrity:  - "Technology has made people famous who are not really gifted or talented. How does a sex tape make you famous?" (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

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Debbie Allen @msdebbieallen - Tweet: OMG what a treasure what a loss. My heart hurts. Ruby Dee we will forever speak your name.(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

Malcolm D. Lee @malcolmdlee - Tweet: Rest in peace, Ms Ruby Dee.(Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

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Malcolm D. Lee @malcolmdlee - Tweet: Rest in peace, Ms Ruby Dee.(Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

Chuck D @MrChuckD - Tweet: R.I.P Ms RUBY DEE.(Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images)

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Chuck D @MrChuckD - Tweet: R.I.P Ms RUBY DEE.(Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo:  Rob Kim/Getty Images

Amber Riley @MsAmberPRiley - Tweet: RIP Ruby Dee, I'm sure you and Ossie are slow dancing in heaven right now. Beautiful woman, civil rights leader and amazing actress.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

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Amber Riley @MsAmberPRiley - Tweet: RIP Ruby Dee, I'm sure you and Ossie are slow dancing in heaven right now. Beautiful woman, civil rights leader and amazing actress.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

Nicole Ari Parker @nicolearip - Tweet: You blessed us all. Rest In Peace Ruby Dee. You and Ossie can continue your journey together...#fiercedetermination #actingpowerhouse #legend #otherhalfoficoniccouple #puretalent #missed @boriskodjoe(Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

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Nicole Ari Parker @nicolearip - Tweet: You blessed us all. Rest In Peace Ruby Dee. You and Ossie can continue your journey together...#fiercedetermination #actingpowerhouse #legend #otherhalfoficoniccouple #puretalent #missed @boriskodjoe(Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET

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Holly Robinson Peete @hollyrpeete - Tweet: "Completely devastated at the loss of Patti Webster She was my publicist, mentor, trusted confidante I LOVE YOU #withGodNow @PursuingGod" (Photo:  Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)

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Holly Robinson Peete @hollyrpeete - Tweet: Heaven has gained another icon. My kids: Mom who was Ruby Dee? An actress? Me: She was so much more. You know... there was a time when actresses cared about more than their careers, how much money they made, having over the top lavish weddings, how many followers they had... They cared about social justice, the human condition ... This was the essence of the inimitable Ms Ruby Dee ... #RIPRubyDee Well Done #WithOssieAgain(Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)

Issa Rae on how technology aided in her success:  - "Five years ago I wouldn’t be able to do this at all. If I would have had an idea for Awkward Black Girl, I would have had to pitch it to television, and they’d have been like, ‘What are you talking about? There aren’t any Black people on TV. Slow down.’” (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Say Media/xoJane)

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Issa Rae @IssaRae - Tweet: NOOOOOOOOOO! Ruby Dee! Had the privilege of meeting her several times. The women who paved the way are leaving us. Rest in Peace and Legacy.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Say Media/xoJane)

Al Roker: August 20 - The jovial television personality celebrates his 59th birthday. (Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images)

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Al Roker @alroker - Tweet: Another legend has left us. God Bless. Ruby Dee died peacefully at home of age related causes. She was 91 years old.(Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images)