Cicely Tyson Add to My Celebs Age 78 Birthday Dec. 19th, 1933 Born in New York City, New York, USA Height 5' 3 1/2"

Cicely Tyson's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) East Side/West Side Jane Foster

Main Movie Roles 2010 - Why Did I Get Married Too? 2006 - Madea's Family Reunion 2006 - Idlewild 2005 - Diary of a Mad Black Woman 2005 - Because of Winn-Dixie 1997 - Hoodlum 1991 - Fried Green Tomatoes 1981 - Bustin' Loose 1972 - Sounder 1968 - The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter 1959 - Odds Against Tomorrow

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:

• Will only portray strong images of women
• 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 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.
• Worked as a secretary and model while establishing herself as an actress
• Honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• The Cicely Tyson High School of Performing and Fine arts was named in her honor is located in East Orange, New Jersey.
• Is the first African American Actress to win an Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie for her performance in "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman".
• Aunt of 'Cathy Tyson' (qv).

Cicely Tyson Photos

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