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Cicely Tyson
Age: 76
Height: 5' 3 1/2"
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA
Born: Dec. 19th, 1933
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Cicely Tyson's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: Cicely Tyson was raised in Harlem, New York by devoutly religious parents from the Caribbean island of Nevis. 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) in 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) (TV), which earned her two Emmys. While Cicely has not appeared steadily onscreen because of her loyality 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.
TRIVIA:
- Worked as a secretary and model while establishing herself as an actress
- In 1972 she and singer-actress 'Diana Ross (I)' (qv) were both nominated for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" Oscars for their performances in _Lady Sings the Blues (1972)_ (qv) and _Sounder (1972)_ (qv) respectively. This was only the second time in the history of the Academy Awards that African American actresses were nominated in the "Best Actress" Oscar category. The first was 'Dorothy Dandridge' (qv)'s nomination for _Carmen Jones (1954)_ (qv).
- Co-founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem with 'Arthur Mitchell (I)' (qv).
- Will only portray strong images of women
- Aunt of 'Cathy Tyson' (qv).
- Tyson won a judgment entitling her to full payment ($750,000) for her appearance in the short-lived 1983 Broadway play "A Corn Is Green," An Appeals Court upheld an earlier ruling handed down in 1996 in favor of Tyson. Tyson was under contract to producer 'Elizabeth Taylor' (I) 's to act in stage and screen versions of the classic play. After critics panned the play, Tyson was fired for taking a night off to attend a tribute to her then-husband, the late jazz musician 'Miles Davis (I)' (qv). The play closed after less than two weeks. Tyson maintained she should be paid as negotiated in her contract, even though the show closed early and a planned TV video of the production was never made.
- She was the Thursday night host for CBS Radio's "Sears Mystery Theater" (1979). She was still Thursday's host when it became "The Mutual Radio Theater" on Mutual Radio (1980).
- She was married to 'Miles Davis (I)' (qv) by 'Andrew Young (IV)' (qv) in the home of 'Bill Cosby' (qv). Bill Cosby was the best man, and gave away the bride.
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