Origins & Early Life

Cecily Louise "Cicely" Tyson (; December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021) was an American actress. In a career spanning seven decades, she portrayed complex and strong-willed African American women. She received several awards including three Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. She was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2018.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Tyson garnered widespread attention and critical acclaim for her performance as a Black mother facing adversity in the dramatic film Sounder (1972), for which she was nominated for both the Academy Award for Best Actress and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. She also acted in films such as A Man Called Adam (1966), The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968), The River Niger (1976), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), Because of Winn-Dixie (2005), The Help (2011) and Last Flag Flying (2017). On television, she broke barriers by taking a regular role on the CBS drama series East Side West Side (1963–1964). She won two Primetime Emmy Awards, her first for Best...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alan Alda — Shared historical date (01-28 · Born) (1936): Esteemed American actor celebrated for M*A*S*H and decades of versatile performances.
• André the Giant — Shared historical date (01-28 · Died) (1993): French wrestler and actor, famed for his colossal size and wrestling career.
• 1924 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1924
• December 19 (12-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 19
• 2021 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2021
• January 28 (01-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 28