Cicely Tyson

Cecily Louise "Cicely" Tyson (; December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021) was an American actress known for her portrayal of strong African-American women. Tyson received various awards including three Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Tony Award, an Honorary Academy Award, and a Peabody Award.

She garnered widespread attention and critical acclaim for her performance as Rebecca Morgan in Sounder (1972), for which she was nominated for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best actress. Tyson continued to act in film and television in projects throughout her life, including the acclaimed series Roots (1977), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), The Help (2011), and the legal drama series How to Get Away With Murder.

In addition to her screen career, Tyson appeared in various theater productions. She was awarded for her performances in productions both on and off Broadway.

Tyson was named a Kennedy Center honoree in 2015. In November 2016, Tyson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 2020, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.