Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson died Thursday afternoon at the age of 96, her manager Larry Thompson confirmed.
"I have managed Miss Tyson's career for over 40 years and every year has been a privilege and a blessing," Thompson said in a statement Thursday. "Cicely imagined her new memory as a Christmas tree adorned with all the ornaments of her personal and professional life. Today she put the last ornament, a star, on the tree."
Tyson's "Just As I Am" memoir was published on Tuesday. When journalist Gayle King interviewed the actress about her memories and asked how she would like her fans to remember her, Tyson replied, "I did my best. That's all."
Tyson's first appearance was in Twelve Angry Men in 1957, but she is best known for her roles in the films Odds Against Tomorrow, The Comedians, The Last Angry Man, A Man Called Adam, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, and Fried Green Tomatoes. More recently, Tyson appeared in the films The Help and A Fall from Grace.
Tyson has also been commended for her work on various TV shows and television films, including Miss Jane Pittman, Roots, The Wilma Rudolph Story, King: The Martin Luther King Story, When Nobody Was Listening, A Woman Called Moses, The Marva Collins -History, The wives of Brewster Place, the Confederate's oldest living widow, say it all and travel to Bountiful.
Tyson refused to star in blaxploitation films and television shows that were popular in the 1970s, but he also turned down roles depicting black women as sex workers, maids, or drug addicts. Tyson received an Oscar nomination for Martin Ritt's drama Sounder in 1973 and received an Honorary Oscar in 2018.
Tyson's fellow actors used social media to share their memories and admiration for the famous actress.
Oprah Winfrey tweeted "Cicely decided early on that her work as an actor would be more than a job. She used her career to shed light on black humanity. The roles she played reflected her values; she never compromised. Her life is so fully lived. " Testimony to greatness. "
I will remember your hugs. How your delicate arms wrapped around me like mighty branches of a sunlit tree, strong and warm. Your love that I will remember You loved me for some reason and told me many times. Thank you, Your Majesty. And bless you on your journey. Until we meet again... pic.twitter.com/Z6f3dp7AA1
- Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 29, 2021
filmmakers Ava DuVernay tweeted "Your hugs that I will remember. How your dainty arms wrapped around me like mighty branches of a sunlit tree, strong and warm. Your love that I will remember. You loved me for some reason and you have told me many times. Thank you, Your Majesty. And bless you on your further journey. Until we meet again. "
I am devastated. My heart is just broken I loved you so much !! You were everything for me! You made me feel loved and seen and cherished in a world where there is still a cloak of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls. You gave me permission to dream ... https://t.co/7V7AFZtFLa pic.twitter.com/l2TLfM4weX
- Viola Davis (@violadavis) January 29, 2021
"I'm devastated," actress Viola Davis tweeted. "My heart is just broken. I loved you so much! You were everything to me! You made me feel loved and seen and appreciated in a world where we dark chocolate girls still have a cloak that gives invisibility. You gave me permission to dream. "
In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actresses whose work on screen was only matched by what she could achieve with it. She had a heart like no other - and for 96 years she shaped the world that few will ever reach. pic.twitter.com/JRsL3zlKtP
- Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 29, 2021
Former US President Barack Obama tweeted "In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actresses whose work on screen was only matched by what she could do with it. She had a heart like no other - and had been for 96 years." She has shaped the world that few will ever reach. "
"Cicely Tyson opened doors, broke ceilings and made paths," comedian and actress Wanda Sykes tweeted. "We will be forever grateful."
As expected, many of Tyson's fans honored the legendary actress on social media.
Amazed to hear that Cicely Tyson had joined the ancestors. Words like "trailblazer", "genius" and "legend" are shamefully inadequate when describing Ms. Tyson. May she rest in perfect peace.
- Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) January 29, 2021
So many great stories about Cicely Tyson! Phew: This lady was amazing. While they were shooting a doc at them in Spanish Harlem, people stopped their cars! In the street! Get out and say hello! Old people. Teenagers. Middle-aged fans. "Ciss-el-Lee" they would sing as she passed!
- Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) January 29, 2021
The King Center will remember the life and heritage of, along with the world #CicelyTyson. Trailblazer is not a sufficient description. What a legendary artist, sage and matriarch. We greet you. Rest in power, Lady Cicely. pic.twitter.com/aLAc8HgrCR
- The Martin Luther King Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) January 29, 2021
