Goodbye, Cicely Tyson (1924-2021)
Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 9:19PM 
Cicely Tyson, who died earlier this afternoon at the age of 96, was one of a kind. "Legend" doesn't even come close to describing her grandiose wonder, her legacy, her impact. No words I can scrounge up are enough to summarize the greatness of this model turned acting sensation, icon, pioneer. Her career spanned more than half a century and Tyson made sure to leave her mark on the big and on the small screen, on stage too, earning countless golden accolades, much-deserved acclaim, and the adoration of millions across generations.
She was an inspiration to many, a woman who made sure to immortalize and celebrate Black History in her roles and embody Black excellence in her exquisite craft. I still remember the first time I ever saw her…
As a Portuguese white guy born in the mid-90s, I did not have a wealth of cultural entry points into the world of Cicely Tyson. A lot of her bigger roles, by that point, were to be found on TV, in series and specials that didn't make it to my country's broadcasts. I was vaguely aware of Roots, even though it had never aired in Portugal, but it was the Oscars that pointed me towards this brilliant performer. In 1972, Tyson was part of a momentous historic occasion, still the only time when two Black women (Cicely Tyson + Diana Ross) got nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award in the same year. As a budding Oscar obsessive, I needed to see those films. That need only grew when I saw that one of my favorite film bloggers, Nick Davis, had declared Tyson his favorite from the '72 lineup.
Since I couldn't find Sounder anywhere in Portugal, I ordered a DVD copy from the UK and, when it finally arrived, I sat down in front of the TV, ready to be blown away. Even with sky-high expectations, I wasn't ready for what Cicely Tyson delivers in her only Oscar-nominated turn. Playing Rebecca Morgan, a Louisiana sharecropper living during the Great Depression, Tyson revealed herself as that kind of screen presence that pulls the eye of the spectator with little to no effort. Neither Martin Ritt's direction nor Lonne Elder III's screenplay call much attention to the matriarch of the Morgan family. Still, it's impossible to look anywhere else when she's in the frame. Tyson's magnetism is enough to bend the reality of the movie-watching experience.
Stoic and subdued, she plays a mother trying to hold her family together as horrible trials and misfortunes befall them, hunger clawing at their bodies while hopelessness bites into their hearts. Her strength often feels like the only thing holding the story from falling into pure misery, an unbeatable paragon of resilience whose determination feels awe-inspiring though always grounded in weary humanity.
So many saintly mothers have earned nominations, pulling the heartstrings of Academy voters whilst asking little of their performers. Rebecca is not like that, and Tyson's rendition of her struggles is never presented as a vacuous idealization. She's a woman, not a script mechanism nor a vague dream of virtue.
As Andrew Kendall previously stated when writing about Sounder right here for Black History Month 2015, one wishes the film had given us a larger glimpse into Rebecca. Her interior life is barely seen, always covered by the survivalist steel with which Tyson imbues her stare. Nonetheless, when I finished watching Sounder I couldn't forget Tyson's Rebecca, nor could I shake the feeling I had seen another human being with the kind of clarity one is rarely given, whether on or off-screen. Each second the camera's pointed at her, the actress uses every tool in her arsenal to delineate the essential truth, agency, and thought process of her character. It's restrained work, almost abrasive in its lack of dramatic showmanship, but the feelings it evokes are searing. The pain of need, the kiss of despair, the embrace of love, all of them live in Tyson's spirited eyes. With one look, she puts words to shame.
After giving such a performance, any actress deserves her place in the pantheon of the greats, but Tyson didn't let herself coast on this achievement. Her subsequent career is a miracle of hard work and unimpeachable technical skill, ambition, and inspiration. What's more impressive is how she kept it for so long, harnessing her fame for activism, never resting, always delivering new wonders to the delight of her many fans, elevating even the shoddiest of projects. That attitude helped her stay relevant, having spent the last few years enjoying the just reverence of an industry bowed to her majesty. She got an honorary Oscar in 2018, a Tony for 2013's The Trip to Bountiful, and she's been an Emmy winner since the 70s. She won three of those later prizes, for 1974's The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and 1994's Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.
Recently, she received five nominations for playing the recurring role of Viola Davis' mother in How to Get Away with Murder. While it's trashy TV, that program suddenly gained the depth of high drama whenever Cicely Tyson made an appearance. She never won for this achievement, but it wasn't for lack of merit. I bring up her adventures in ShondaLand because they are unshakeable proof of the star's longevity. The last of those five nominations happened last year! Such was the hard-working ethos of Tyson that she left us just a couple of days after publishing her memoir Just As I Am. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my hands on this book and devour Tyson's written remembrance.
The world is poorer without Cicely Tyson. Even as we mourn the loss, remember to celebrate the actress' legacy. Watch her movies, her series, read her book, share your love in the comments.
Reader Comments (22)
She was two years younger than Ruby Dee and three years older than Eartha Kitt. These women exemplified a generation of activist performers whose strength, talent and dignity will be missed and talked about for years to come.
My favorite actress... Rest easy, Ms. Tyson.
Cloris yesterday and Cicely today!! That's quite a gut punch and an enormous loss for the performing art world.
She is vivid in Sounder but it pales next to her work in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, in part because of the breadth of the latter and the opportunity it gave her to display such a wide range of her talent.
Unfortunately even with her titanic reputation being Cicely Tyson wasn't always enough to result in parts that were worthy of her talent but when she was given something good she was extraordinary and often turned dross into gold.
For anyone interested in checking out lesser-known Tyson performances, she plays Harriet Tubman in A Woman Called Moses (playing Harriet Tubman) and a glam, sexy ingenue opposite Sammy Davis, Jr. in A Man Called Adam.
A true legend and inspiration, especially to black thespians.
It really was a punch in the gut to read that she had passed. Of course she lived a very long life and everyone's time comes sooner or later, but I was so unprepared for the news, especially since her memoir had just been released. Growing up in a Black household that always made sure to center Black images, even when the offerings were paltry, meant that she was the picture of excellence when it came to our representation. She was such a powerful presence and just exuded a grace that commanded your attention. Like Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Diahann Carroll, and countless others, I'll always lament that Hollywood never truly gave her what she deserved, but I'm also grateful for the legacy she managed to leave behind. It's also comforting to know that so many in Black Hollywood made sure to give her the praise she deserved while she was here (it's one of the few things I admire about Tyler Perry). I'm sure she knew she was loved.
What a loss.
Rest in Peace, Miss Tyson.
Wow! It's really painful when two great actresses leave us one after the other. As hard as it was when Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds died, it is now with the departures of Cloris Leachman and Cicely Tyson. Completely heart broken.
I first remember seeing her in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. She gave so much to that character and her devastating story.
I don't know what I should say. Pains me to no end that she's gone. Even if she lived a long life, there's a part of me that thought she'd always be there, and in a way she still is. Talented beyond words and I'll never get tired of saying it in this site or anywhere. I am aching tremendously. I'll miss her so much. RIP Cicely, you were one of a kind.
At least she (and our beloved Cloris) lived to see Trump forced out of office. Sniff!
I read that when Tyler Perry had her in his films, he was shocked to learn how little she got paid back in the day so he made the decision to raise her salary as well as give her a percentage of the profits so that she can at least be given some of the money she deserved but also showcase her value. I may not be a fan of Perry's films but I respect what he did for her.
Was so hoping she would be cast as Aunt Ester in Gem of the Ocean whenever Denzel got around to that particular part of August Wilson's Century Cycle. A woman ahead of her time, a part of her time, and now for all time.
I will probably watch Sounder again tonight to honor the extraordinary talent of Miss Tyson. Yet, her performance is so iconic I can close my eyes and see her. Late in the movie, Rebecca (Tyson) is overcome with joy. Releasing pent up anguish and grief, Rebecca whoops and runs. A full throated cry of happiness fills the air. As we watch her from behind dashing down a dirt path, tears well up. I am hard pressed to recall another actress who made the emotion of joy so vivid, so authentic, so earned.
@ Luciano: Shame on you.
Her body language in Sounder is remarkable.
I got mixed feelings about her Honorary Oscar. I'm glad she's got one, but I'm not that OK with the Academy pretending they're inclusive.
How sad,she paved the way after Dorothy Hattie Diana Aretha Lena,Rest in Peace talented Lady.
RIP Cicely - you were one of the greats.
Luciano - your childish, frankly embarrassing input on this thread betrays your own insecurities and nothing else. Where can I read your excellent film essays?
BOO 2021, BOO!
What the fuck
I remember seeing her in Hoodlum and loving how fierce she was. She’s fucking astounding in Sounder and Pittman. But above that, she was such a class act all the way.
Sigh.
A thrilling moment when Barack Obama awarded much deserved Kennedy Center Honors to the co-nominated ladies from 1972, Cicely Tyson and Diana Ross. RIP Ms. Tyson.
Since Cláudio mentioned her autobiography, I'd be remiss if I didn't note that both Tyson and Davis have a chance to EGOT with their narration of the audio recording.
I appreciate your European POV.
Working stiff -- All of them legends.
joel6 -- I really need to watch The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. It sounds amazing.
MJ -- Thank you for all the recommendations. I did know about A Woman Called Moses but wasn't familiar with A Man Called Adam.
thefilmjunkie -- It's criminal how much these amazing actresses had to struggle for parts worthy of their talent.
Cash -- She was able to turn even the smallest of roles into amazing work.
thevoid99 -- That was great of him. I usually detest his films, but he does give a lot of great opportunities to Black thespians who get shortchanged by Hollywood. I still believe Alfre Woodard should have been Oscar-nominated for her spectacular work in The Family That Preys, for example.
Davide -- I also had that hope, funnily enough. I thought these Wilson adaptations might result in a competitive Oscar for Tyson before her death.
James -- Her joy is magnificent but so is the tension she creates with her silence. That scene inside the shop is unforgettable.
Yolonda -- Thank you for the comment. I'm glad you do since I was really nervous about writing this. I feel that it's not my place to celebrate Tyson's amazing legacy but someone had to write it. She was one of a kind, a legend, a goddess, one amazing Oscar nominee, and eventual winner (honorary).