In seven decades, Cicely Tyson proved that dignity and talent could conquer all that Hollywood set out to place in her way. A modest upbringing in Harlem to a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the career of Cicely Tyson has transformed the way black women have been seen on the screen. It covers her upbringing, her career path to success, her marriage to Mr. Mitchell, her autobiography writing and her life after death in 2021. To understand the full extent to which Cicely was a person, read on.
Table of Contents
Biography of Cicely Tyson
She was a model, actress and civil rights activist who appeared in television, film and Broadway productions. She was born in 1924, and was one of the earliest Black actresses to refuse roles that were stereotypical for Black women and instead play women who were strong, intelligent and graceful. As a result, Cicely Tyson received three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, an Honorary Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom throughout her life.
Her work went far beyond entertainment. She was a beacon of hope for the entire industry, inspiring it to be more authentic and respectful about Black lives. Hence, many of the modern actresses attribute her as the reason of believing that a career in the film was even possible for them.
The early life and family background of children
She was born in East Harlem, New York City, on December 19, 1924. She was the daughter of William and Theodosia Tyson, who were immigrants from the Caribbean island of Nevis, looking for a better life. Her father was a carpenter and painter and her mother was a domestic worker to support the family.
At home life was disciplined and very religious. Theodosia raised her children in a Christian home and did not permit movies, dating or a lot of freedom outside of church activities. Therefore, it was not unusual for a young Cicely to spend much of her childhood singing in the choir and playing piano and organ at an Episcopal church in Harlem. Her mother, at first, did not want her to act at all, and was silent for some time after she took up the stage.
At the age of eleven, Cicely Tyson’s parents had divorced, and she spent most of her time with her mother. By the age of nine she was on the streets selling shopping bags to help the family survive, as money was short. These experiences helped to create a resilience that would become an important part of her life and acting career.
From Modeling to Acting
A stranger approached Cicely Tyson during the war of 1954 when she was a secretary for the American Red Cross and asked her if she was a modeler. It was that one moment that altered her life forever. Soon she was a successful model for the fashion magazine Ebony, which in turn brought her to the acting profession.
Her debut acting appearance was in the 1956 movie Carib Gold, an uncredited part. From there, Cicely Tyson slowly gained momentum, and was featured in television shows and small stage productions in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame is Cicely Tyson’s story
Cicely Tyson’s major role came in 1972 when she took on the role of a strong mother struggling with poverty and racism in the rural south in the film Sounder. Her acting work earned her nominations to the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress. She was just as strong as she was warm, and audiences for the first time saw a real black woman played by a black woman.
Two years later, she starred in one of her most popular roles as Miss Jane Pittman in the TV-movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. She played a slave, a woman from slavery to the civil rights movement, and received two Emmy Awards for the role. This act is still one of the most studied and revered on American television history.
She continued to make select choices for projects throughout the next several decades. Even if there were fewer opportunities, she declined jobs that stereotyped black women. This award has been her defining professional legacy, more so than any individual award.
Later Career and Continued Success
Cicely Tyson never caught a break – not until her later years, when she was well into her nineties. She has been featured in films such as Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), and Because of Winn-Dixie (2005). She’ll also find her second wave of popularity after her recurring appearance in How to Get Away with Murder alongside Viola Davis.
Cicely Tyson is still going strong after 60 years in the business as she earned a Tony Award for Best Actress for The Trip to Bountiful in 2013. However, this was enough to quell any doubts about her durability.
Awards and Honors: A Quick-Reference Table
Below is a table of the important awards and honors that Cicely Tyson has received for easy reference as her list is extensive.
| Award/Honor | Year | Category or Reason |
| Emmy Award | 1974 | Outstanding Lead Actress for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman |
| Emmy Award | 1994 | Outstanding Lead Actress for Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All |
| Kennedy Center Honors | 2015 | Honored for lifetime achievement in the performing arts |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | 2016 | Received the nation’s highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama for contributions to the arts |
| Tony Award | 2013 | Best Actress in a Play for The Trip to Bountiful |
| Honorary Academy Award | 2018 | Recognized for lifetime achievement in film |
| Peabody Career Achievement Award | 2020 | Honored for career-long impact on television |
Obviously this table is not comprehensive. Cicely Tyson was also honored with an honorary degree from Columbia University, Howard University, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University.
Cicely Tyson’s Personal Life and Marriage
Throughout her career, Cicely Tyson was very close-mouthed about her private life, frequently stating that it was nothing to do with her acting. One relationship did come into the public eye, however, and that was her marriage to legendary jazz musician Miles Davis. The two were wed in 1981 by then-Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, and their relationship was sometimes called passionate, but turbulent.
Eventually Cicely Tyson and Miles Davis divorced in 1988, but they spoke highly of each other after the split. She never had children of her own, but over the years she had a close bond to her stepdaughter. Despite the divorce, Cicely Tyson rarely spoke about the marriage publicly until decades later when she did so candidly in her memoir.
Just as I am: Cicely Tyson’s Memoir
In January of 2021, Cicely Tyson released her long-anticipated book, Just As I Am. For a long time, she had stated that she would write a book “when she had something to say. Finally, at the age of 96, she felt it was time and the book was an instant bestseller.
The memoir tells a story of her difficult childhood, the abuse she endured in her home, her modeling career, and the sacrifices she made for her daughter. It also is much more intimate with Miles Davis’ relationship with her than she had ever publicly shared. The book was acclaimed by readers and critics alike as a compelling mixture of autobiography and 20th-century black history.
Remarkably, Cicely Tyson promoted the book right up until her last days, giving interviews and reminiscing about her life in a manner similar to that which she herself applied to her roles. When asked what she wanted people to remember her for, she replied “I’ve done my best; that’s all.
The Death of Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson died on January 28, 2021, at the age of 96, in NYC, two days after the release of her memoir. Her long-time manager acknowledged her death but didn’t provide details of her cause of death, respecting her privacy in life. Her age would suggest that the cause of her death was natural rather than a specific illness.
Her funeral was held Feb. 16 at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, where former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton and other dignitaries came to pay their respects, including her godson, Lenny Kravitz, and Tyler Perry. She is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, with her former husband Miles Davis.
Tributes came in from all over the world. Former President Barack Obama named her a trailblazer, whose legacy shouldn’t be judged by a series of awards. Vice President Kamala Harris admired her artistry, activism, and altruism, and many actors have attributed to Cicely Tyson to breaking closed doors.
Why Cicely Tyson’s legacy remains relevant today
But Cicely Tyson’s impact is more than just in her movies. In 1962 she was the first black female to wear an Afro on national television, an act which subtly defied the beauty standards of that time. In addition, her refusal to be cast in unworthy roles compelled studios to reimagine their portrayals and scripts of Black characters.
Her name is now immortalized in a performing arts magnet school in East Orange, N.J. Viola Davis, actresses included, have openly said that they chose to become actresses because of Cicely Tyson. So her contribution is not only in awards but the entire generation of performers she inspired her to become.
The role of Cicely Tyson in Civil Rights and Representation
In addition to her acting career, Cicely Tyson was a stalwart voice for civil rights. She knew that each role she played was much more than a movie role, it was an opportunity to influence the public image of black people. During years in which she had trouble finding regular employment, she was often asked in interviews why she would not accept parts as prostitutes, maids or other derogatory types of characters.
This philosophy tied her into a greater movement that was taking place in theater and film in the 1960s and 1970s. Cicely Tyson starred with James Earl Jones, Maya Angelou and Louis Gossett Jr. in the original Off-Broadway cast of The Blacks, a production that ran for more than a thousand performances, and was a historic moment for Black theater. During her early years in the industry she had a strong sense of purpose and dedication to meaningful storytelling from the great influences she had in her life.
Later, Cicely Tyson was closely associated with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, assisting her close friend Arthur Mitchell in creating it from its inception to a well-known institution. They were to become friends for years and years, and long after she became a national star, she was always there in the Harlem arts community. As a result, many in the neighborhood recalled her not only as a movie star, but as a true champion of local artists and institutions.
Her efforts also were directed at the educational front. Cicely Tyson was a regular speaker at universities and accepted honorary degrees, not just as accolades, but as a way of inspiring young African-American students to make a career in the arts. She regularly told audiences that a movie’s image influences the image of a whole generation, and therefore more important than any one award.
Cicely Tyson’s Signature Films & Performances
Although Sounder and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman are her most famous works, Cyclie Tyson also established a filmography of smaller, but no less significant performances. In A Man Called Adam she was paired with Sammy Davis Jr. and portrayed a jazz performer who is grappling with racism and his own demons. In The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, she added depth to the background role, for which critics lauded her restraint and emotional honesty.
Throughout her career, Cicely Tyson made it her mission to portray the strength and resilience of older Black women; during the 1990s, she continued to work on projects that did just that. In 1994, her Emmy-winning role in Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All showed that she still had some tricks up her sleeve after all these years. She also made her mark on Roots, a series that became an American television landmark, continuing her legacy as one of the cultural icons of her time.
As late as her ninetieth year, Cicely Tyson was working, starring in movies such as The Help in 2011 and having a regular role in How to Get Away with Murder until well into her nineties. She carried the same dedication to the profession no matter how old she was, and she served as a model for younger actors who had a chance to watch her work up to the roles.
Conclusion
Cicely Tyson’s legacy is one of perseverance, dignity and purpose. She made her difficult childhood a legacy of groundbreaking work, and leveraged her success to fight for greater representation for Black women in film and television. In the end, though, Cicely Tyson didn’t just create a career, she created a benchmark for the entertainment industry that is still followed to this day.
Her memoir, the awards she received and the many performers she inspired are just a few examples of the legacy she will leave for generations to come. As long as people continue to watch Sounder or read Just As I Am, the name of Cicely Tyson will never be forgotten because of her grace, resilience and unmatched talent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When was Cicely Tyson born?
Cicely Tyson was born on December 19, 1924, in East Harlem, New York City, to parents who had emigrated from Nevis in the Caribbean.
Q2: How did Cicely Tyson die?
Cicely Tyson died on January 28, 2021, at age 96. Her manager confirmed her death but never publicly shared a specific medical cause, respecting her lifelong preference for privacy.
Q3: Was Cicely Tyson married?
Yes, Cicely Tyson married jazz musician Miles Davis in 1981. The couple divorced in 1988, though they remained on respectful terms afterward.
Q4: What was Cicely Tyson’s most famous role?
Many consider her performance in Sounder (1972) and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) to be her most iconic roles, both of which earned major award recognition.
Q5: Did Cicely Tyson write a memoir?
Yes, Cicely Tyson released Just As I Am in January 2021, just two days before she passed away. The memoir became a bestseller and offered readers an intimate look at her life.
Q6: What awards did Cicely Tyson win?
Cicely Tyson won three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, an Honorary Academy Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a Peabody Career Achievement Award, among many other honors.
