Everything You Should Know About Cicely Tyson, The 93-Year-Actress Set To Receive An Honorary OSCAR

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• September 12, 2018
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Cicely Tyson is an American iconic, award winning actress who has featured in films and stage plays. She is popular for her roles in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, “The Help” and Broadway’s “The Trip to Bountiful” amongst others.

The 93-year-old actress has recorded several achievements one of which is the prestigious Honorary Academy Award.

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Meet Cicely Tyson , the first black woman to receive an Honorary Academy Award.

Early Life

Cicely Tyson was born on the 19th of December, 1924 in New York City. She grew up in Harlem, New York. Tyson came from an humble background where her father was juggled painting, carpentry and other jobs and her mother was a domestic help.

At the age of 18, she walked away from a typing job and began a modeling career. Tyson was then drawn to acting, although she had not been permitted to go to plays or movies as a child. When she got her first acting job, her religious mother, feeling that Tyson was choosing a sinful path, kicked her out of their home.

Career

Cicely Tyson was discovered by a photographer of “Ebony Magazine” and she became a popular fashion model. Tyson got her first play role in 1950 and her first film role in “Carib Gold” in 1956. She proceeded to acting in television series such as the celebrated series, “East Side West Side” and soap operas like “Guiding Light”.

Tyson’s career trajectory wasn’t as smooth one; at times, she had trouble simply finding work. She flatly refused to do “blaxploitation” films, or to take parts solely for the paycheck, and was selective about the roles she chose.

Between 1961 to 1968, Tyson took countless roles that took her career to the next level. In the 21st Century, she took interesting roles in a popular movies like  “Why Did I Get Married Too?”, “How To Get Away With Murder”, “The Trip To Bountiful”, “The Help” and other prominent roles which accorded her numerous awards.

Personal Life

Cicely Tyson got married to a Jazz trumpeter, Miles Davis on November 26, 1981 in a ceremony conducted by Atlanta Mayor, Andrew Young at the home of Bill Cosby. Tyson and Davis lived together in Malibu, California. The couples got divorced in 1988. She had no children with Davis.

Tyson has a well-known commitment to community involvement. She co-founded the Dance Theater of Harlem after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

When a school board in East Orange, New Jersey wanted to name a performing arts schools after her, she only agreed to accept the honor if she could participate in school activities. In addition to attending meetings and events, Tyson has even taught a master class at the school.

Awards

In 1974, Tyson won two Emmy Awards for the film, “The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman” . She became a member of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1977. She has also been honored by the Congress of Racial Equality and by the National Council of Negro Women.

In 1982, she awarded the “Women In Crystal Awards” for outstanding women, who through their endurance and the excellence of their work have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.

In 1988, she received a Candace Award for Distinguished Service. In 2005, Tyson was honored at the Oprah Winfrey’s Legend Ball

In 2010, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People presented Tyson with its 95th Spingarn Medal—an award given to African Americans who have reached outstanding levels of achievement.

In 2015 Tyson was nominated for an Emmy for her guest starring role in ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. The following year, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.

Tyson was announced as honorary Thalberg winner of 2018. She’s set to become the first black woman to receive the “Honorary OSCAR Award”.

Net Worth

There are conflicting reports about her net worth as the ace actress has successfully kept her life private. Tyson’s net worth is between $10 million to $20 million which has helped her live in luxury.