Tributes come as Hollywood celebrates the legacy of iconic actress Cicely Tyson, who died Thursday at age 96.
In addition to her acclaimed paintings in film and television projects such as Sounder and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Tyson has long been hailed as a revolutionary artist who broke down barriers and opened the doors to black actors and actresses. in a drama series on the East Side/West Side in 1963, and became the first black woman to earn an honorary Oscar in 2018.
Tyson’s former teammates, as well as Viola Davis and LeVar Burton, were among the first to express their tributes to the actress.
In a long and moving Instagram post, Davis lamented the loss of her mother on screen in How to Escape a Murder. Tyson earned five Emmy nominations for Davis’ mother, Ophelia Harkness, Annalise Keating, in the ABC drama.
“I’m devastated. My center is broken. I really enjoyed you!!You were everything to me!” Davis wrote next to a large photo of the two hugs: “You’ve made me feel enjoyed, noticed and valued in a world where there’s still a layer of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls in me. “
She continued: “I’m not in a position for you to be my angel yet. But. . . I also sense that it’s only when the last user who has a reminiscence of you dies, that you’ll actually be dead. case, be immortal. Thank you for converting my life. Thanks for the long interviews. Thank you for loving me. Rest well. “
Burton, who also had Tyson as a mother on screen, shared a moving photo of the two in Roots. Tyson was given a nod to the Emmys in 1977 for betting on Binta, Burton’s kunta Kinte’s mother, in the iconic miniseries.
“This one cuts deeply, ” tweeted Burton. ” @IAmCicelyTyson was my first mom on screen. Elegance, warmth, beauty, wisdom, taste and abundant grace. She was as majestic as she looks. An artist of the highest level, the AmaréArray. . RIP. “
Oprah Winfrey recalled that she paid tribute to Tyson at the Legends Ball in 2005 and talked about the actress’ wider impact.
“Cicely from the beginning said his acting paintings would be more than a work,” Winfrey wrote. “He used his career to eliminate the darkness of black humanity. The roles he played reflected his values; has never made a commitment. His life so completely” lived is a testimony of Greatness.
Tyler Perry, who directed Tyson on projects such as A Fall From Grace, revealed that he was watching one of his films when Winfrey called him to tell him that Tyson had died.
“She was the grandmother I never had and the tree of wisdom under which I can sit and fill my cup. My center breaks with one beat, as it celebrates its life in the next,” he wrote on Instagram. I lived 96 years old and that I was able to be part of the last 16 brings me a wonderful joy. She called me son. Well, today your son is in mourning your loss and will miss our long talks, your abdominal laughter, and your very always majestic, classy, a lady, a queen. Every time we talked, I’d ask him, “How are you?”needs me to. ” Well, I think it’s safe to say that you’ve done everything they put you here for, and we’re all very well prepared for that. “
Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood, who have worked with Tyson several times over the years, remember her in The Trip to Bountiful, which earned Tyson a Tony in 2013.
“Every night on stage, every day on this set, I learned from an absolute master of his art,” Underwood wrote. “My center is heavy. Thank you Mrs Tyson for paving the way, thank you for your Grace and thank you, Your Majesty, for elevating us to higher heights!Rest in peace Array. . Queen, you ran the race and went home. “
“Performing with her on 3 separate projects, my career has been a great honor, but sharing broadway level with her 8 exhibits a week was the genuine life lesson to witness the courage, strength, and holy spirit before my eyes,” Williams said. At the end of each performance, we took it in his arms and the amounts receded as he laughed with pleasure. Her eyes lit up like a teenager and she said “it was a smart thing. “You were the ‘wonderful’ in your wonderful life. Love your beloved and rest in peace ‘Mother Watts’. “
Like many, How to Get Away with Murder author Shonda Rhimes reacted for the first time to Tyson’s surprise death.
“I want it not to be true, ” he tweeted when the news broke.
After retwating articles celebrating the actress, Rhimes published her own tribute, as a photo of her with Tyson.
“He was an ordinary person. And it’s a common loss,” Rhimes wrote. “She had much to teach. And I still have a lot to learn. I’m grateful for every moment. Their strength and grace will. “be with us forever. “
A few days earlier, Rhimes had imploded his enthusiasts to read Tyson’s new memoir, Just As I Am: “Miss Cicely Tyson’ JustAsIAm. Tell your friends to do the same. Cicely Tyson is a national treasure. “
Many other stars also remembered Tyson as a pioneer who helped pave the way for other black creatives.
“A pioneer. Many doors are open because of this very soul. Thank you for everything, Cicely,” Jackée Harry tweeted, he also shared photos of the two on the set of The Women of Brewster Place.
The insecure star and Natasha Rothwell said it just and beautifully: “Rest in power, Cicely. I’m because you were. “
Read on for tributes.
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