Tyson Cicely passes away: an icon is gone

Cicely Tyson, the Emmy and Tony-winning actress who broke racial barriers in television, theater and film, has died at the age of 96. The news was announced by his manager, who did not give the reasons for his death.

American actress Cicely Tyson has died aged 96https://t.co/1AmwksjS0E pic.twitter.com/RLWXfyah3x

- franceinfo (@franceinfo) January 29, 2021

Tyson was known for her groundbreaking portrayal of black characters in a multitude of television, theater, and movie shows.
She refused to be classified in the stereotypical roles available to blacks at the time, refusing scripts that passed her off as a drug addict, prostitute, or maid.

His memoir, “Just As I Am”, was published this week.

“I’m very selective because I’ve spent my whole career working on what I do. Unfortunately, I'm not the type to work just for money. It has to have real substance for me to do it, ”she told The Associated Press in 2013.

The career of this African-American actress lasted more than seventy years. In 1973, she was nominated for an Oscar for “Sounder” and in 2018, she received an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement, reports Le Monde newspaper.

She was one of the recipients of the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor. During the ceremony, President Barack Obama said, "Cicely's belief and grace have helped us see the dignity of every beautiful memory of the American family."

Cicely Tyson was an icon of the African American cause, she was committed to the fight for social justice and against racism. She did not accept to play roles as servants or prostitutes, characters that evoke racial clichés.