Hollywood actress Cicely Tyson passed Thursday at the age of 96.
Tyson was born in 1924 in Harlem, New York to immigrant parents from the West Indies Island of Nevis.
As a teen, Tyson was discovered by an Ebony Magazine photographer who helped her become a popular fashion model, which eventually lead to her being cast in small television roles.
[Just days before her death, Tyson sat down with Gayle King for a CBS This Morning interview. Watch video below.]
In 1957, Tyson became the first African American to star in a television drama in the series “East Side/West Side.” Followed by her critically acclaimed role in the film, “Sounder,” alongside a young Laurence Fishburne. For her performance, Tyson received an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination.
Tyson soon became known for her depictions of inspirational Black women and was among the first to portray those monumental characters on primetime television. They include the groundbreaking series, “Roots,” the 1980s mini-series “Women of Brewster Place,” “Mama Flora’s Family” and “A Woman Called Moses,” the Harriet Tubman story, to name a few.
In her personal life, Tyson fell in love with and married jazz legend Miles Davis. The two artists became the epitome of ‘Black Love’ throughout the 1960s, up until their divorce in 1988. Davis has been quoted as saying that Tyson saved his life by helping him kick his cocaine habit.
In recent years, Tyson’s career received a resurgence when movie director and producer Tyler Perry, who was a fan, cast her in a string of highly-successful movies. She also had a major role in the Academy Award-winning film, “The Help.” The actress also returned to television in 2015 as the mother of Oscar Award-winning actress Viola Davis in the hit TV show, “How To Get Away With Murder.”
Over the course of her illustrious career, Tyson has received numerous awards, including numerous NAACP Awards, A Kennedy Center Honor, Screen Actors Guild Award, and The Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was presented to her by President Barack Obama.
Tyson has been an inspiration to many African American actors and actresses and was a cherished member of “Black Hollywood.”
Celebrities and fans have taken to social media to share their memories and love for the star. Her impact and legacy is evident in the beautiful words from those who knew her best. She will be deeply missed.
I was sitting at the table working when I got this overwhelming feeling to watch Miss Jane Pittman. I hadn’t seen the movie in years. I didn’t even understand the feeling to turn it on, but I did anyway. Not 12 minutes into the movie my phone rang… cont: https://t.co/Cnwrw6chXg pic.twitter.com/KwogNifCV8
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) January 29, 2021
Cicely Tyson ??? pic.twitter.com/5TO7LL2mlx
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 29, 2021
.@IAmCicelyTyson's iconic beauty may have gotten her noticed at a young age, but it’s her talent that made her the living legend she is. And she’s finally telling her story. I read her memoir #JustAsIAm and now fully understand why she is such a treasure. What a life! pic.twitter.com/MZrCIbXFNP
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 27, 2021
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… https://t.co/7V7AFZtFLa pic.twitter.com/l2TLfM4weX
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) January 29, 2021
Black Diamond., I thank you for teaching us how to shine by holding our hand and leading the way. Rest In Peace Cicely Tyson. #JustAsIAm ? @IAmCicelyTyson forever. pic.twitter.com/DqyYZmMaHP
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) January 29, 2021
Now light has returned to light. #CicelyTyson pic.twitter.com/aV8tB2At4f
— Phylicia Rashad (@PhyliciaRashad) January 29, 2021