Nominated for her first Oscar Award in 1973 for her portrayal of Rebecca Morgan, the wife of a sharecropper, in the movie Sounder, Cicely Tyson is one of America’s most talented dramatic actresses. The artist was born on December 19, 1933 in New York City, New York to William and Theodosia Tyson. Cicely’s parents were avid Christians from the West Indies island of Nevis. Their beliefs would deeply impact Cicely, her sister Emily and her brother Tyson’s childhoods.
Cicely Tyson’s Early Dislike for Movies
Forbidden to go to the movies or participate in many “worldly” activities, according to Ebony magazine’s May 1974 feature interview with the actress titled “Cicely Tyson: A Very Unlikely Movie Star” that was written by Louie Robinson, Cicely saw her first movie when she was a teenager. The movie scared her to the point where she didn’t think there was anything special about the art form.
Her parents divorced when she was about 11 years old. The parting would take Cicely away from the man she had come to love most, her father. He would pass in 1962, nine years before his daughter would earn her first Oscar Award nomination. Cicely’s mother was strict and very protective of her three children, so much so that it put a strain on Cicely’s relationship with her mother. The actress would be a grown woman herself before she would look back and see the value of her mother’s lessons and warnings.
Modeling Leads to a Rewarding Destiny
Early jobs for actress Cicely Tyson included working at a secretary then later as a model. Before that she played the organ and the piano at the church she attended. She also taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir.
The modeling job came after Tyson’s hairdresser suggested that she model in an upcoming show he was organizing. The audience took to Cicely at once. Modeling seemed a natural fit for Tyson. Soon she was working with the Barbara Watson Modeling School and taking on decently paying jobs that grossed her over $60 an hour.
Modeling would put Cicely in touch with Freda DeKnight, a fashion editor at Ebony magazine. It was DeKnight who encouraged to Cicely to try out for a stage play. Unlike her first experience at the movies, Tyson loved the live theatre. The experience led Cicely to pursue acting full-time. She enrolled in school so that she could learn more about the world of drama and how to bring characters fully alive on the screen.
Heart of the Lonely Hunter
One of the actress’ early hit films was the 1968 Heart of the Lonely Hunter, a movie that was based on author Carson McCuller’s hit book by the same name. Despite her physical beauty, Cicely Tyson was committed toward only portraying African American women in a positive and empowering light. At times this found her going months or years without appearing in a major film.
In 1974, following her Oscar Award nomination for her portrayal of Rebecca Morgan in Sounder, Cicely played the leading role in the highly acclaimed television movie, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. This movie established Tyson as a rare talent with the gifts and the skills to enjoy a long and rewarding career in the entertainment industry.
Awards and Accolades for Actress Cicely Tyson
Tyson’s work in the autobiographical television movie would earn her an Emmy Award, her first. Roots, a moving mini-series, would be the next major television work that Cicely Tyson would be featured in. Other movies the actress would appear in include A Hero Ain’t Nothing But A Sandwich, The Women of Brewster Place, The Marva Collins Story, Fried Green Tomatoes, The River Niger, Mama Flora’s Family and The Rosa Park’s Story.
Cicely would also make appearances in hit television series like “The Outer Limits,” “Higgly Town Heroes,” “Touched By An Angel” and “Law and Order.” Recent works the award winning actress has taken on include Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion. She also worked with comedian Richard Pryor in the 1981 hit movie, Bustin’ Loose.
Over the course of her continuing career, Cicely Tyson has won two Black Reel Awards, a Cable ACE Award, two Emmy Awards, five Image Awards, a National Board of Review Award and a National Society of Film Critics Award. She has been nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe, a BET Comedy Award and an Oscar Award.
Sources:
The Internet Movie Database. Cicely Tyson. 20 September 2009.
Robinson, Louie. “Cicely Tyson: A Very Unlikely Movie Star.” May 1974. Ebony Magazine. 20 September 2009.
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