Cicely Tyson Remembered By Barack Obama And Oprah Winfrey Following Her Death, Aged 96

The pioneering star was best known for her roles in Sounder, The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman and, more recently, The Help.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

Tributes are being paid following the death of groundbreaking star Cicely Tyson.

A representative for the pioneering actor confirmed that she had died on Thursday, at the age of 96.

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’s acting career spanned more than 60 years, with a huge number of acclaimed roles in film, TV and theatre to her name.

Cicely Tyson photographed in 1973
Cicely Tyson photographed in 1973
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

She landed her first Oscar nomination in 1973, following her performance in the film Sounder, going on to appear in The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman, more recently starring in The Help and the TV series How To Get Away With Murder.

In her lifetime, Cicely won three Emmys, an honorary Academy Award and a Tony for her acting roles, as well as being named a Kennedy Center honoree and receiving the Presidential Medal Of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2016.

Cicely during an appearance on US chat show The Talk last year
Cicely during an appearance on US chat show The Talk last year
CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

Obama was among those to pay tribute following the news of Cicely’s death, writing on Twitter: “In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actors whose work on the screen was surpassed only by what she was able to accomplish off of it.

“She had a heart unlike any other—and for 96 years, she left a mark on the world that few will ever match.”

In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actors whose work on the screen was surpassed only by what she was able to accomplish off of it. She had a heart unlike any other—and for 96 years, she left a mark on the world that few will ever match. pic.twitter.com/JRsL3zlKtP

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 29, 2021

Praising Cicely’s legacy, Oprah Winfrey wrote: “Cicely decided early on that her work as an actor would be more than a job. She used her career to illuminate the humanity of Black people.

“The roles she played reflected her values; she never compromised. Her life so fully lived is a testimony to Greatness.”

Cicely Tyson 🙏🏾🕊 pic.twitter.com/5TO7LL2mlx

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 29, 2021

Oscar-winning star Viola Davis, who shared the screen with Cicely in both The Help and How To Get Away With Murder, wrote on Instagram: “I’m devastated. My heart is just broken. I loved you so much!! You were everything to me!

“You made me feel loved and seen and valued in a world where there is still a cloak of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls. You gave me permission to dream… because it was only in my dreams that I could see the possibilities in myself.

“I’m not ready for you to be my angel yet. But… I also understand that it’s only when the last person who has a memory of you dies, that you’ll truly be dead. In that case, you will be immortal.”

Other stars to have paid tribute and shared their memories of Cicely Tyson include Whoopi Goldberg, Octavia Spencer and Zendaya...

pic.twitter.com/dDoplJiiqk

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 29, 2021

pic.twitter.com/UcFIk7W89S

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 29, 2021

This one cuts deep. @IAmCicelyTyson was my first screen Mom.. Elegance, warmth, beauty, wisdom, style and abundant grace. She was as regal as they come. An artist of the highest order, I will love her forever... ♥️ RIP pic.twitter.com/69Awj7qI8o

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) January 29, 2021

Your hugs I’ll remember. How your petite arms wrapped around me like mighty branches of a sunlit tree, strong and warm. Your love I’ll remember. You loved me for some reason and told me often. Thank you, Your Majesty. And bless you as you journey ahead. Until we meet again... pic.twitter.com/Z6f3dp7AA1

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 29, 2021

QUEEN somehow just doesn't capture MS. TYSON. Her legacy has left an indelible mark. She paved a way that created a space for girls like me to feel the light. Thank you GODDESS CICELY. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/VCBCwPpc05

— Regina King (@ReginaKing) January 29, 2021

A true legend!! Rest in power Cicely Tyson 🙏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/YvzBEjPNUO

— Rihanna (@rihanna) January 29, 2021

Thank you Cicely Tyson... for everything... pic.twitter.com/6LslgGYtOx

— Gayle King (@GayleKing) January 29, 2021

Cicely’s memoir Just As I Am was published just days before her death, with her manager saying: “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.”

Close

What's Hot