Social media is flooded with condolences and tributes to honor the Emmy-winning legendary actor Cicely Tyson who died on Thursday at the age of 96.
The death of the legendary actress was announced on Thursday evening that left the entire industry devastated.
Cicely Tyson was one of the rare artists in the entertainment industry who not only made a difference with her on-screen appearance but also outside of it.
In her extraordinary career that lasted over 60 years, Tyson inspired generations of artists and actors who came after her and was widely known for her roles playing dignified, resilient and inspiring Black women.
In 2020, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Among all of her performances ranging from “Sounder” to “The Trip to Bountiful” to “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” she made household fame. She helped us see the dignity within all those who made up the wonderful yet problematic American family.
Outside her on-screen credits, the New York-born actress also starred on several Broadway shows, including “The Gin Game.” Her most popular role was in “The
Trip to Bountiful,” which earned her Tony Award for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a theatre in 2013.
In 2018, Cicely Tyson was the first black female actress who won an honorary Oscar.
She was occasionally featured in several movies, including “Bustin Loose,” “Friend Green Tomatoes,” “A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ But a Sandwich” and “Hoodlum.”
When she hit the 70s, she started taking movie projects more than she did in the past, she starred in the movies such as “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (2005), “Why Did I Get Married Too?” (2010) and 2012 “Alex Cross.” she starred as a supporting role in movies including “Fat Rose and Squeaky,” “Idlewild” and 2011’s “The Help.”
Tyson was also one of those who laid the foundation of the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969.
The three-time Emmy winner memoir “Just as I am: A Memoir” was published on Tuesday – just two days before she passed away at her residence.
Entertainment luminaries including Viola Davis, Shonda Rhimes, Bernice King, Marc Lamont Hill, Zendaya and many more took to social media to share the fond memories with the late actress and to pay tribute to the extraordinary life of a Black legend.
Voila Davis, a long-time admirer of the late actress, who often consider Tyson as one of her role models, shared a particularly heartfelt tribute to Emmy winner, saying that her death news left her “devastated.”
The “Sound” actress never retired, in fact, she continued appearing on to the small screen with iconic roles including Ophelia Harness on “How to Get Away with Murder.” Tyson was nominated several times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama series.
The creator of the show “How to get away with Murder” Shonda Rhimes also paid tribute to the deceased in an emotional Instagram post.
“She was an extraordinary person. And this is an extraordinary loss. She had so much to teach. And I still have so much to learn. I am grateful for every moment. Her power and grace will be with us forever. #cicelystyson,” Rhimes wrote.
Actor George Takei was also among those who reacted to the tragic news, he said, “Cicely Tyson has passed, she led a pioneering career in film, a remarkable feat for an African American woman born 96 years ago. An Emmy and Tony award-winning actress Cicely Tyson, her career on screen and stage stretched an incredible seven decades.
We will miss you, dearly, Cicely. RIP.”
Here’s the roundup of all the celebrities and fans who reacted to the tragic news:
Rest in Peace, Cicely Tyson - you will be missed!
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