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Cicely Tyson
0 FOLLOWERS • 36 CREDITS • DEC 19, 1924 - JAN 28, 2021 • 96
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Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and, with her stunning looks, she quickly rose to the top of the modeling industry. In 1957, she began acting in Off-Broadway productions. She had small roles in feature films before she was cast as Portia in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968). Four years later, Cicely was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her sensational performance in the critically acclaimed film Sounder (1972). In 1974, she went on to portray a 110-year-old former slave in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974), which earned her two Emmy Awards. She also appeared in the television miniseries Roots (1977), King (1978) and A Woman Called Moses (1978). While Cicely has not appeared steadily onscreen because of her loyalty to only portray strong, positive images of Black women, she is without a doubt one of the most talented, beautiful actresses to have ever graced the stage and screen.
Overview
Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and, with her stunning looks, she quickly rose to the top of the modeling industry. In 1957, she began acting in Off-Broadway productions. She had small roles in feature films before she was cast as Portia in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968). Four years later, Cicely was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her sensational performance in the critically acclaimed film Sounder (1972). In 1974, she went on to portray a 110-year-old former slave in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974), which earned her two Emmy Awards. She also appeared in the television miniseries Roots (1977), King (1978) and A Woman Called Moses (1978). While Cicely has not appeared steadily onscreen because of her loyalty to only portray strong, positive images of Black women, she is without a doubt one of the most talented, beautiful actresses to have ever graced the stage and screen.
Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Touched by an Angel
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Hallmark Hall of Fame
The Oscars
Gunsmoke
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Saturday Night Live
How to Get Away with Murder
The F.B.I.
Golden Globe Awards
Emergency!
The Proud Family
Mission: Impossible
House of Cards
The Outer Limits
Madam Secretary
The Flip Wilson Show
People's Choice Awards
The Bill Cosby Show
Tony Awards
Last Flag Flying
The Help
Aftershock: Earthquake in New York
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Always Outnumbered
A Fall from Grace
Fried Green Tomatoes
The Rosa Parks Story
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All
Jewel
King
The Kid Who Loved Christmas
Sweet Justice
A Woman Called Moses
Mama Flora's Family
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