Cicely Tyson
Biography
Cicely Louise Tyson was an American actress born on December 19, 1924, in New York City, New York, and she passed away on January 28, 2021, at the age of ninety-six. Her career in film, television, and theatre spanned more than seven decades, during which she became known for portraying strong African-American women. Throughout her career, Tyson received various awards, including three Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Tony Award, an Honorary Academy Award, and a Peabody Award. Her extensive work in the entertainment industry encompassed one hundred nine known credits in acting across movies and television shows.
Career overview
Cicely Louise Tyson was an American actress born in New York City, New York, whose career in film, television, and theatre spanned more than seven decades. Known for her portrayal of strong African-American women, she established a prolific body of work that encompassed one hundred and nine known acting credits.
Throughout her long and distinguished career, Tyson received numerous accolades for her performances across stage and screen. Her awards included three Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Tony Award, an Honorary Academy Award, and a Peabody Award.
Tyson was active in the entertainment industry from her birth date of December 19, 1924, until her death on January 28, 2021, at the age of ninety-six. Her lasting legacy on film and television is documented through her extensive contributions to the medium as a female artist.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
113 titles- How It Feels to Be Free (2021) as Self (archival footage)
- A Fall from Grace (2020) as Alice
- Cherish the Day (2020) as Miss Luma Lee Langston
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- The Other Boys of Summer (2019) as Narrator
- Steve (2017) as Self
- Last Flag Flying (2017) as Mrs. Hightower
- Showing Roots (2016) as Hattie
- Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (2016) as Self
- How to Get Away with Murder (2014) as Ophelia Harkness
- Madam Secretary (2014) as Flo Avery
- The Trip to Bountiful (2014) as Mrs. Watts
- House of Cards (2013) as Doris Jones
- The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013) as Mama Kay
- Alex Cross (2012) as Nana Mama
- The Help (2011) as Constantine Jefferson
- Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) as Ola
- Relative Stranger (2009) as Pearl
- Madea's Family Reunion (2006) as Myrtle
- Idlewild (2006) as Mother Hopkins
- Fat Rose and Squeaky (2006) as Celine
- The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (2005)
- Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) as Myrtle
- Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) as Gloria Dump
- Remembering Roots (2002) as Self
- The Rosa Parks Story (2002) as Leona Edwards McCauley
- The Proud Family (2001) as Mrs. Maureen Parker (voice)
- Jewel (2001) as Cathedral
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Ondine Burdett
- Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999) as Emily Lincoln
- A Lesson Before Dying (1999) as Tante Lou
- Mama Flora's Family (1998) as Mama Flora
- Always Outnumbered (1998) as Luvia
- Moments of Discovery: The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes (1998) as Self
- Hoodlum (1997) as Stephanie St. Clair
- Riot (1997) as Maggie
- Blessed Assurance (1997) as Vesta Lotte Battle
- Ms. Scrooge (1997) as Ms. Ebenita Scrooge
- Bridge of Time (1997) as Guardian
- The Road to Galveston (1996) as Jordan Roosevelt
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Justice Gretchen Parkhurst
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Abigail Peabody-Jackson
- Sweet Justice (1994)
- Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (1994) as Castalia
- Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (1994) as Castralia
- House of Secrets (1993) as Evangeline
- Duplicates (1992) as Dr. Randolph
- When No One Would Listen (1992) as Sarah
- Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) as Sipsey
- The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990) as Etta Mercer
- Heat Wave (1990) as Ruthana Richardson
- The Women of Brewster Place (1989) as Mrs. Browne
- B.L. Stryker (1989)
- The Women of Brewster Place (1989) as Mrs. Browne
- The Women of Brewster Place (1989)
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- Acceptable Risks (1986) as Janet Framm
- Intimate Encounters (1986) as Dr. Claire Dalton
- Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (1986) as Muriel
- Playing with Fire (1985) as Carol Phillips
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Benny's Place (1982) as Odessa
- The Marva Collins Story (1981) as Marva Collins
- Bustin' Loose (1981) as Vivian Perry
- The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979) as Elaine
- A Woman Called Moses (1978) as Harriet Ross Tubman
- King (1978) as Coretta Scott King
- Roots (1977) as Binta
- Wilma (1977) as Blanche Rudolph
- A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich (1977) as Sweets
- The Blue Bird (1976) as Tylette
- Everybody Rides the Carousel (1976) as Self - Introducer
- Just an Old Sweet Song (1976) as Priscilla Simmons
- The River Niger (1976) as Mattie Williams
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Presenter
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) as Jane Pittman
- Free to Be… You and Me (1974) as Self
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- Emergency! (1972) as Mrs. Johnson
- Sounder (1972) as Rebecca Morgan
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Marriage: Year One (1971) as Emma Teasley
- Neighbors (1971) as Vicky Gunther
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969) as Betty Kelly
- The Bill Cosby Show (1969) as Mildred Hermosa
- To Be Young, Gifted and Black: The World of Lorraine Hansberry in Her Own Words (1969)
- The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968) as Portia Copeland
- Judd, for the Defense (1967)
- Cowboy in Africa (1967) as Julie Anderson
- The Comedians (1967) as Marie Therese
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as Alma Ross
- A Man Called Adam (1966) as Claudia Ferguson
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Julie Harmon
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Lainey Harber
- East Side/West Side (1963)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- A Morning For Jimmy (1960) as Sister
- Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) as Jazz Club Bartender (uncredited)
- The Last Angry Man (1959) as Girl Left on Porch (uncredited)
- Naked City (1958) as Darlene Knox
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Co-Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Carib Gold (1956) as Dottie
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Rachel Biggs
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Marva Collins
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Cicely Tyson best known for?
Cicely Tyson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Fall from Grace (2020), Tamron Hall (2019), Steve (2017), Last Flag Flying (2017).
When and where was Cicely Tyson born?
Cicely Tyson was born on December 19, 1924 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on January 28, 2021.
How many credits does Cicely Tyson have?
Cicely Tyson has accumulated over 113 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2021.
What is Cicely Tyson's background in cinema and television?
Cicely Louise Tyson was an American actress born on December 19, 1924, in New York City, New York, and she passed away on January 28, 2021, at the age of ninety-six. Her career in film, television, and theatre spanned more than seven decades, during which she became known for portraying strong African-American women. T...