By Cicely Tyson, a groundbreaking actress who made history by portraying women of strength and substance, died on Thursday, January 28. She was 96. Her longtime manager Larry Thompson released a statement confirming her death. Tributes have been pouring in for Cicely from all sections of Hollywood.
LEGENDARY ACTRESS CICELY TYSON PASSES AWAY
Cicely Tyson chronicled her iconic career in her memoir, Just As I Am, which was released on Tuesday. She is celebrated for her contribution to the stage and screen where she broke barriers for actresses of colour.
Cicely’s manager Larry Thompson stated about her death, “I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing. Cicely thought of her new memoir as a Christmas tree decorated with all the ornaments of her personal and professional life. Today she placed the last ornament, a Star, on top of the tree.”
HOLLYWOOD REMEMBERS CICELY TYSON
Viola Davis, who worked with Cicely on How To Get Away With Murder, wrote on Instagram, “I’m devastated. My heart is just broken. I loved you so much!! You were everything to me! You made me feel loved and seen and valued in a world where there is still a cloak of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls. You gave me permission to dream….because it was only in my dreams that I could see the possibilities in myself. I’m not ready for you to be my angel yet. But…I also understand that it’s only when the last person who has a memory of you dies, that you’ll truly be dead. In that case, you will be immortal. Thank you for shifting my life. Thank you for the long talks. Thank you for loving me. Rest well (sic).”
Oprah Winfrey shared a picture and a heartelt note for Cicely on Twitter:
Zendaya, Shonda Rhines, Tyler Perry, among others also paid homage to trailblazing actress Cicely Tyson.
CICELY TYSON’S ICONIC CAREER
Cicely’s career spanned more than six decades. Her critically acclaimed projects include as Sounder, Roots and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. She became the first African-American to win a lead actress Emmy Award in the 1974 CBS telefilm The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. She received both an honorary Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
