Cicely Tyson, the award-winning actress and model, died at the age of 96 years. She led dead just two days after she was witnessed to be appearing in her final TV interview. It was on 28th January wherein the 3 time premiere Emmy Award winning actess who was announced through her manager. Larry Thompson issued a statement on the behalf of Cicely’s family on Thursday with a really heavy heart. The family of Miss Cicely Tyson had announced a peaceful transition in the afternoon. However, the manager seems to be taking care of even the most minute things and he said, “At this time, please allow the family their privacy.”
Announcement from Larry, Cicely’s manager
Cicely’s manager added, “I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing. 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.”
Cicely even released a memoir called Just as I Am: A Memoir just 2 days prior to her death in which the iconic actress discussed during an interview on CBS This Morning, which aired on the very same day of the book’s release. “Whenever I’m offered a script, what I’m interested in when I get it is, ‘Why me?’ Who was that character, and why did they want me to play it?,” Cicely said in her last-ever TV interview, which you can watch below.
Cicely opens up about her career and achievements in the new memoir
This legendary actress, Cicely Tyson was basically sharing the story of her impressive career and personal life in the new memoir wherein she has been reflecting back at the most defining moments in her life. Indeed, Cicely’s death is a really big loss for the whole film and television industry. The total career span of this lady is more than 6 decades. She has been the first Black woman to receive the Honorary academy award.
One of the biggest achievements for Cicely was no doubt to win the Emmys and the prestigious Oscar. She has also won a Screen Actors Guild award along with a Tony award. Cicely had a really fantastic career and the best part is that she has been honored with other different awards through her lifetime. She named a Kennedy center honoree in 2015 and she was also given the Presidential medal of freedom which happens to be the highest civilian honor in the US in the year 2016.
Cicely was most recently known for her portrayal as Ophelia Harkness, the mother of Annalise Keating in the ABC drama, How to Get Away with Murder. She was cast in the role since the show’s beginning in the year 2014. Some of her popular films, include Fried Green Tomatoes, The Help, and The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter. She even played the powerful role of a woman who took part in the civil rights movement after she was born into slavery in the legendary television movie, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.
Talking a bit about her personal life, Cicely was married to jazz musician Miles Davis from 1981 until 1989. She has no children though and the new memoir gives a brief about her love story as a whole.