Cicely Tyson, the award-winning actress who began a career over several decades and appeared in countless television programs, movies and Broadway plays, died Thursday at age 96, according to her manager. Tyson’s role as a carpenter’s wife in the film “Sounder” earned her an Oscar nomination in 1973.
“With a heavy heart, Miss Cicely Tyson’s family announces her peaceful transition this afternoon,” Tyson’s family said in a statement from their manager. “Right now, allow the family their privacy.”
Tyson, who first entered the spotlight as a model, was known throughout the entertainment industry, and won two Emmy Awards, Best Leading Actress in a Drama and Best Actress in a special, for her role as a former slave in the 1974 television drama. “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” At a crucial moment in the film, Pittman walks and drinks from the only white water fountain.
“Well, when I’m working, I just tell everyone. I said, ‘I don’t care what you see.’ Please don’t tell me … because I work organically, ”Tyson said.“ So the next day, when I got on set, I knew something had happened. And I just said, “Please don’t tell me. I don’t want to know …” and people were talking about the walk. I said, “What a walk?”
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In 1994, she won an Emmy Supporting Actress for her role in “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All,” and a Tony Award in 2013 at age 88 for Best Supporting Actress in “The Journey to Abundance.” She starred opposite Vanessa Williams, who was inspired by Tyson’s work ethic, according to a 2015 interview.
“He never missed a performance … There’s no excuse for not showing up when Cicely Tyson can show up every day,” Williams said then about Tyson.
Tyson was part of a group of 21 actors, musicians, athletes and innovators in 2016 who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from former President Obama.
“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only been successful as an actor, but she has shaped the entire course of history,” Obama told the presentation, according to ETonline. “Cicely was never the most likely Hollywood star. The daughter of West Indian immigrants, she was raised by a hardworking and religious mother who cleaned houses and banned her children from attending the movies. But once she got the his education and entered Cicely made a conscious decision not only to say lines, but to speak. “
Also in 2016 Tyson was celebrated with a Honor of the Kennedy Center for his contributions to American culture, paving the way for African Americans in the industry.
In 2018, she was awarded an honorary Oscar statuette at the annual Governors Awards, according to The Associated Press. “I come from a humble state. I grew up in an area that at the time was called slums,” Tyson said at the time. “I still can’t imagine I’ve met presidents, kings, queens. How did I get here? I’m amazed.”
In 2020, Tyson was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame and received a Peabody Award for his professional career.
Her memoir, “Just As I Am,” was released on January 26, the same day that “CBS This Morning” aired an interview between the iconic actress and Gayle King, where Tyson was able to reflect on her roles. .
“Whenever I’m offered a script … what interests me when I have it is‘ why me? “”, He said. “Who was this character and why did they want me to play him … and when I get to the point where I feel his skin has adapted to my arm or my mind, I know there’s something about her.”
Born in 1924 to parents in the West Indies, Tyson said she was a very shy girl, the youngest of three. AP said his parents had moved from the Caribbean island of Nevis to the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. At an early age, her friends urged Tyson to adopt models because of her amazing appearance.
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The trip to stardom, as he told Gayle King, was not easy. Tyson became pregnant when she was 17 and had a short marriage that lasted just over two years. Her decision to start a career as a single mother provoked conflicts at home, including her mother expelling her from home.
“Oh, he told me he couldn’t live there and do that,” Tyson said. “Suddenly I found something I loved to do. And I had a son to support.”
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Tyson made his screen debut at age 31 in the 1956 black and white film “Caribbean Gold.” Through absolute determination, her career flourished after getting the lead role of playing the woman in a partnership of “Sounder,” the 1972 film based on the novel by William H. Hunter. Her character was confined to prison for stealing a piece of food for the farmer’s family and was forced to take care of her children and look after the crops.
Then a New York Times review said, “It goes through all its easy beauty to finally give us some of the deep beauty of millions of black women.”
In Tyson’s memoirs, she talks about her love affair with the great jazz musician Miles Davis, who put her on the cover of her 1967 album, “Sorcerer.” The two married in 1981, but divorced less than seven years later. However, their romance lasted for decades. Tyson told King that he could never find love like that again.
At age 96, King asked Tyson what it meant to be considered a legend.
“I’m amazed every day I live,” she said. “I mean, what became of my life wasn’t what I expected … I had no idea it would touch anyone.”
When King asked Tyson, “When the time comes, what do you want us to remember about you?”
She replied, “I’ve done my best. That’s all.”
Associated Press and ETonline contributed to this report.