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Cicely Tyson

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Cicely Tyson BIO

Cicely Tyson won a 2013 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in The Trip to Bountiful and was also nominated for an Emmy Award for the 2014 television movie version.



Best known for her ground-breaking double Emmy Award-winning performance as Jane in "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," Miss Tyson was also nominated for an Academy Award for Sounder. She then received her third Emmy Award for "The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All" and was also nominated for her performances in "Roots," "King," "Sweet Justice," "The Marva Collins Story" and "A Lesson Before Dying".



Her many film credits include the upcoming Showing Roots, The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, Fried Green Tomatoes, Because of Winn-Dixie, Hoodlum, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion, Why Did I Get Married Too?, The Help, Alex Cross. Broadway credits include The Corn Is Green, Trumpets of the Lord, A Hand Is On The Gate, Cool World and Jolly's Progress.



Off-Broadway, she appeared in the long-running production of Jean Genet's The Blacks. Miss Tyson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1995, a middle school in East Orange, NJ was named for her. Following Miss Tyson's involvement in 2009, she was able to open a new $143 million state-of-the-art kindergarten through High School renamed the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts.



In 2018, Tyson received an honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2016, Tyson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. Tyson has been a champion of civil liberties for decades and has been a recipient of top honors from the NAACP and the Kennedy Center.

Cicely Tyson Photos

Cicely Tyson STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Fonsia Dorsey

[Broadway]
2013
Carrie Watts

[Broadway]
1983
Miss Moffat

[Broadway]
Unknown, 1969
Rev. Marion Alexander

[Off-Broadway]
1969
Performer

[Broadway]
1968
Myrna Jessup

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Rev. Marion Alexander

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Joan

[Broadway]
1962
Celeste Chipley

Performer (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1961
Stephanie Virtue Diop

[Broadway]
1960
Girl

[Broadway]
1959
Jolly Rivers (Understudy)


Cicely Tyson Movies

[1957]Carib Gold Dottie

[1966]A Man Called Adam Claudia Ferguson

[1967]The Comedians Marie Therese

[1968]The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter Portia

[1972]Sounder Rebecca

[1976]The Blue Bird Tylette

[1976]The River Niger Mattie Williams

[1977]A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich Sweets

[1979]The Concorde... Airport '79 Elaine

[1981]Bustin' Loose Vivian Perry

[1991]Fried Green Tomatoes Sipsey

[1997]Hoodlum Stephanie St. Clair

[2005]Diary of a Mad Black Woman Myrtle

[2005]Because of Winn-Dixie Gloria

[2006]Idlewild Mother Hopkins

[2006]Fat Rose and Squeaky Celine

[2006]Madea's Family Reunion Aunt Myrtle

[2007]Rwanda Rising Jeanette Nyirabagarwa

[2010]Why Did I Get Married Too? Ola

[2011]The Help Constantine Jefferson

[2012]Alex Cross Nana Mama

[2013]The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia Mama Kay

[2016]Showing Roots Hattie

[2017]Last Flag Flying Mrs. Hightower

[2020]A Fall from Grace Alice


Cicely Tyson TV Shows

How to Get Away with Murder Ophelia Harkness

I Spy Vickie Harmon, Princess Amara

Sweet Justice Carrie Grace Battle

The F.B.I. Lainey Harber, Julie Harmon

Cicely Tyson Videos

Cicely Tyson News

TRANSART & Cultural Services to Host PINKSTER CELEBRATION Beginning This Month

RANSART & Cultural Services (TRANSART) has announced its second annual Pinkster celebration with a week-long, family-friendly series of free events in Ulster County, New York. Known as Pinkster: Joy Is An Act of Resistance, the celebration features a variety of engaging activities to take place in and around Kingston from Saturday, May 27 to Sunday, June 4, 2023.

CLYDE'S Comes to Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents the Tony Award-nominated comedy Clyde's, opening May 12 and running through May 28 on the Octagon Stage in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative and Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Tickets on Sale Now For CLYDE'S at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre has announced that tickets are on sale to its production of “Clyde's.” The production will run for three weeks at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. 

New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL in May

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.

Michael Andreaus, E. Clayton Cornelious & More Join AINT TOO PROUD National Tour

The First National Tour of AINT TOO PROUD-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS is welcoming a new Otis Williams, Paul Williams, and additional cast. See how to purchase tickets!

Janet Aldrich, Stephen Bogardus & More to Star in OTHER LIVES: THE STORY SONGS OF MICHAEL COLBY at Urban Stages

Other Lives: The Story Songs of Michael Colby, a mélange of melody and tour de force performances featuring lyrics by Michael Colby, will be presented as part of Urban Stages 2022 “Winter Rhythms” series, produced by Tom Toce and Sue Matsuki, on Sunday, December 11 at 3pm and Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 7pm at Urban Stages Theater 

Vanessa Williams' Penthouse Magazine Scandal to Be Adapted Into Series With Neil Meron Producing

A new limited series following Vanessa Williams’ personal view about the scandal that forced her to resign her Miss America crown in 1984 is in the works. Sony Pictures have optioned the rights to her story with Neil Meron producing.

Ava DuVernay's CHERISH THE DAY to Return to OWN in October

The romantic anthology drama “Cherish the Day,” starring Joy Bryant and Henry Simmons, will air following “Queen Sugar,” now in its final season, making for a Tuesday night of two great television dramas. The first season of “Cherish the Day” ranked #1 in its time period across all of cable with Black women, households, and total viewers.

VIDEO: Broadway Comes Out to Celebrate the Newly Dedicated James Earl Jones Theatre

Earlier this week, the Cort Theatre was officially renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in honor of the iconic multi-award-winning American actor! Go inside the ceremony, which included special guests Brian Stokes Mitchell, Norm Lewis, Samuel L. Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Danielle Brooks, cast members from the Tony-winning Best Musical, A Strange Loop and more. Watch the full video!

Photos: Stars Turn Out for the 'James Earl Jones Theater' Dedication!

The Cort Theatre was officially renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in honor of the iconic multi-award-winning American actor! Check out photos from inside the ceremony, which included special guests Brian Stokes Mitchell, Norm Lewis, Samuel L. Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Danielle Brooks, cast members from the Tony-winning Best Musical, A Strange Loop and more!

Cicely Tyson to be Honored With Street Renaming in East Harlem

East 101st Street between 3rd and Lexington Avenues will be renamed Cicely Tyson Way in honor of the late, award-winning thespian. The tribute to the late East Harlem native Cicely Tyson will be marked with a street celebration on the very stretch of 101st that she grew up on.

Official James Earl Jones Theatre Dedication Ceremony to Take Place This Month

The Shubert Organization, Inc. has announced that on Monday, September 12, the Cort Theatre will be officially renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in honor of the iconic multi-award-winning American actor.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Comes to The Fabulous Fox Next Month

The Fabulous Fox Theatre and the producers of the Broadway smash hit musical AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS have announced  full casting for the First National Tour coming to St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theatre September 20 – October 2.

Michelle Yeoh And Lawrence Herbert To Receive Honorary Degrees At AFI Conservatory Commencement

The American Film Institute announced today it will confer a Doctorate of Fine Arts degree honoris causa for contributions of distinction to the art of the moving image upon Michelle Yeoh, who will become the first Asian artist to receive the AFI honor; and a Doctorate of Communication Arts degree honoris causa upon AFI Trustee Emeritus Lawrence Herbert for his commitment to the mission of the American Film Institute.

Jade King Carroll Appointed as Producing Artistic Director of Chautauqua Theater Company

Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of the celebrated director Jade King Carroll as Producing Artistic Director of its resident Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC) following an extensive national search.

World Channel Celebrates Juneteenth With 19 Films

Selections from its curated playlist by noted filmmakers including Stanley Nelson, Ken Burns, Michèle Stephenson, Joe Brewster, Sam Pollard and Yoruba Richen run all month on a variety of platforms, including WORLD Channel, WorldChannel.org, WORLD Channel’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page, PBS Passport and on the PBS app.

BLACK WOMEN ON BROADWAY to Host Inaugural Awards Ceremony

The Instagram account 'Black Women on Broadway,' will host its first awards ceremony this week at New York City's Empire Hotel.

Dolly Parton Presents Dan Rather with Peabody Career Achievement Award

Dan Rather, the award-winning journalist whose career has spanned six decades, has won the Peabody Career Achievement Award.  Dolly Parton presented Rather with the honor this morning via video. Rather, who has interviewed every president since Eisenhower, was the CBS national evening news anchor from 1981-2006.

B. Moore Dance Returns To The Stage With 'i am magic'

B. MOORE DANCE returns to the stage, May 27-29, 2022 for exhilarating performances of a World Premiere, i am magic, at Addison Theatre Centre, Friday/Saturday, 8:00 PM and Sunday, 3:00 PM.

Vanessa Williams to Join SETH RUDETSKY'S BROADWAY at The Town Hall

The Town Hall & Mark Cortale will continue with the latest installment of the internationally acclaimed concert series Seth Rudetsky's Broadway, hosted and music directed by Sirius/XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street). On Monday, June 20 at 8pm, Seth welcomes platinum recording artist and star of stage and screen Vanessa Williams.

Cicely Tyson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cicely Tyson has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

Cicely Tyson has not appeared in the West End

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Gin Game , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Shows for Days , Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful , Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful and Best Performanc (Drama Desk Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl .

Best Performanc (Drama Desk Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.

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