Cicely Tyson Dies At 96 … Viola Davis, Oprah & More Remember The Legendary Icon

We are devastated to report that the legendary Emmy-and Tony-winning award winning actress Cicely Tyson has died at the age of 96. Her manager, Larry Thompson, released a statement confirming her death but did not give a cause of death.

“I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing,” the statement read. “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.”

Tyson was a groundbreaking icon for Black women in theater, film, and television. Over her illustrious career she won two Emmy Awards for “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and a Tony for her work in a revival of “The Trip to Bountiful.”

She received an Oscar nomination in 1973 for Martin Ritt’s drama “Sounder” and an Honorary Oscar in 2018.

HipHollywood last spoke to Tyson at the Academy Awards in 2019 where spoke about the importance of her work and being an example of Black excellence. Throughout her career Tyson refused to play drug addicts, prostitutes or maids, roles she thought demeaning to Black women. But when a good part came along she grabbed hold of it with tenacity.

Following her death tributes poured in on social media from the likes of Viola Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Zendaya and more who found inspiration in her work.

Cicely Tyson 🙏🏾🕊 pic.twitter.com/5TO7LL2mlx

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 29, 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

This one hurts, today we honor and celebrate the life of one of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you Cicely Tyson. Rest in great power. pic.twitter.com/vwchWT5512

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 29, 2021

Just hearing the sad news that a TRUE HOLLYWOOD LEGEND #CicelyTyson has just passed. I had the pleasure of introducing u at event and I was moved to tears to be in the presence of TRUE GREATNESS! Thank You QUEEN for your gifts and you will NEVER be forgotten #RestInParadise 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/UT1T0nr46X

— Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) January 29, 2021

A true legend!! Rest in power Cicely Tyson 🙏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/YvzBEjPNUO

— Rihanna (@rihanna) January 29, 2021

 

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