Cicely Tyson, an award-winning actress who distinguished herself in theatre and television, died on Thursday. She was aged 96. Tyson chronicled her career in her memoir titled “Just As I Am.”
Model for African-American Women
The memoir was released this week. Cicely Tyson embodied African-American women who needed more attention and appreciation. She acted the role of former slaves, mothers, civil rights icons, bringing a sense of the depth of nobility and grace into every character. Her movies include some of the most celebrated movies projecting black women in various roles. She starred in “Sounder” (1972), “The autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (1974), “Roots” (1977), “The Marva Collins Story” (1981), and most recently “The Help” (2011).
Despite all these lofty accomplishments, Cicely Tyson said her most important recognition was in 2016 when President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom. She described that moment as the most important thing that could happen to her. Being one of three children who grew up on the East Side of New York, it meant so much for her to be recognized at the white house by the first black President.
Childhood and Love for Acting
Cicely Tyson was born in December 1924. Her parents were William and Theodosia Tyson. Growing up, she played the piano and performed recitations at her family’s church. She attended New York University.
Cicely Tyson was the center of her mother’s world when she was little because she couldn’t keep still. She began her acting career as a model in the 1950s. By the mid-1960s, her good looks and amiable character got her regular guest-starring roles.
Her breakout movie role came in the movie “Sounder” in 1972. She played the role of a family matriarch in the movie about sharecroppers in the depression era. Her role in the movie earned her an Oscar nomination. It would take 45 years before she eventually won an Oscar in 2018. She was the only Black woman to do so.
Early career
Earlier in her career, she starred and burst into the limelight with the movie “The autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” which premiered in 1974. The movie was based on a novel by Ernest Gaines. Played the title character of a woman born into slavery, who takes part in the African-American struggle for civil rights.
She won two Emmys for her role in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” One was the actress of the year, and the other was the best actress in a drama. During her career, she had a total of 15 Emmy Awards nominations and won three of them.
Private life
Cicely Tyson married Jazz musician Miles Davis in 1981. They got divorced in 1988. She described her marriage with the Jazz legend Miles Davis as tumultuous. However, she also shared some of the most incredible and memorable moments of her life.
She served as a role model for generations of entertainers who had grown up admiring her. Many of these were of African descent. One of these admirers is actress Angela Bassett, who worked with her in the movie “The Rosa Parks Story.” She described Cicely Tyson as one of her top influencers.
Cicely Tyson acted in roles in at least 90 movies and TV series dating back to the 1950s. The demand for her skill and grace meant that she kept getting roles even as she grew older.
She also drew praise from Oprah Winfrey, who described her as pure inspiration. According to Oprah, she was a distinguished trailblazer. She appeared in a number of movies in 2020, including “Cherish the day.”
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