Veteran actress and American Gangster co-star Ruby Dee received her first ever Academy Award nomination this morning in Hollywood for ‘Best Supporting Actress’.

The nomination is long over due and well earned from her work not just in American Gangster but throughout her illustrious career.

It’s the first Oscar nomination ever for the 83-year-old stage and screen legend, whose storied career across all major forms of media dates back to 1939. Dee is nominated for her “American Gangster” role of Mama, the mother of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington.

She faces competition in the category from Cate Blanchett (“I’m Not There”), Saoirse Ronan (“Atonement”), Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”) and Tilda Swinton (“Michael Clayton”).

Congrats and best of luck to Ms. Ruby on her first nomination!

Ruby Dee’s Complete Acting Resume