Cicely Tyson, Pioneer & Award-Winning Actress, Passes Away At 96

The beloved actress had a 60-year career & was instrumental in breaking barriers in the industry.

Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most celebrated entertainers. Moments ago, it was shared that Cicely Tyson passed away this afternoon (January 28), and immediately her fans, friends, and loved ones have taken to social media to celebrate not only her lengthy career but her impact on Black culture throughout generations of change.

Jemal Countess / Stringer / Getty Images

“I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing,” her manager, Larry Thompson, said in a statement. “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.”

CONFIG[‘slots’] = CONFIG[‘slots’] || {};
var code = ‘HNHH_desktop_BelowMainPic’;
if (!CONFIG[‘slots’][code]) {
CONFIG[‘slots’][code] = null;
}
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
var code = ‘HNHH_desktop_BelowMainPic’;
CONFIG[‘slots’][code] =
googletag
.defineSlot(‘/3858450/HNHH_desktop_BelowMainPic’, [[300,250]], code)
.addService(googletag.pubads());

if (CONFIG[‘fillSlotsImmediately’]) {
setTimeout(function () {
googletag.pubads().refresh([CONFIG[‘slots’][‘HNHH_desktop_BelowMainPic’]]);
}, 1000);
}
googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({
// Fetch slots within 5 viewports.
fetchMarginPercent: 0,
// Render slots within 2 viewports.
renderMarginPercent: 25
});
});

CONFIG[‘slots’] = CONFIG[‘slots’] || {};
var code = ‘kargo_embed_unit’;
if (!CONFIG[‘slots’][code]) {
CONFIG[‘slots’][code] = null;
}
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
var code = ‘kargo_embed_unit’;
CONFIG[‘slots’][code] =
googletag
.defineOutOfPageSlot(‘/3858450/kargo_embed_unit’, code)
.addService(googletag.pubads());

if (CONFIG[‘fillSlotsImmediately’]) {
setTimeout(function () {
googletag.pubads().refresh([CONFIG[‘slots’][‘kargo_embed_unit’]]);
}, 1000);
}
googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({
// Fetch slots within 5 viewports.
fetchMarginPercent: 0,
// Render slots within 2 viewports.
renderMarginPercent: 25
});
});

Ms. Tyson first graced the silver screen with a bit part in Carib Gold in 1957, and since that time, she’s earned a reputation as an actress deserving applause. She starred in such films and television shows as Fried Green Tomatoes, Roots, Hoodlum, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Help, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, A Woman Called Moses, How to Get Away With Murder, The Rosa Parks Story, and many other noteworthy projects.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff / Getty Images

Despite missing out on roles, Tyson made it a point to reject offers where she was asked to portray maids, addicts, or prostitutes because she believed they painted a poor picture of Black women. There is already a tremendous response to the news of her death, so read through a few tributes to the beloved actress. We offer our sincerest condolences to Tyson’s loved ones.

[via]