Tributes quickly began to emerge after news of the death of legendary actress Cicely Tyson at age 96 on Thursday. Celebrities and fans honored his legacy and praised his extraordinary career.
“This is a deep cut,” tweeted Take Burton, who acted alongside Tyson in the 1977 classic “Roots”. “@IAmCicelyTyson was my first mother on the screens. Elegance, warmth, beauty, wisdom, style and abundant grace. She was as majestic as possible. An artist of the highest standing, I will love her forever.”
Tyson’s death occurred shortly after the release of her memoirs “Just as I Am”, and several interviews in which she spoke openly about the book.
Oprah Winfrey praised the book in a tweet on Wednesday, the day before the announcement of Tyson’s death.
Tyson’s “iconic beauty may have made her noticed at a young age, but it is her talent that made her the living legend she is,” wrote Winfrey. “And she is finally telling her story. I read her #JustAsIAm memories and now I fully understand why she is a treasure. What a life!”
Winfrey also paid tribute to Tyson in an Instagram post, writing: “Her life lived so fully is a testimony to Greatness.”
Tyson, who rose to stardom as an actress in the 1970s, is known for her roles in “Sounder”, “Roots”, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All”, “King” and many others – she received an honorary Oscar in 2018 for her body of work.
Actress Jackée Harry remembered her time with Tyson while filming “The Women of Brewster Place”, a classic miniseries that aired in 1989.
“A pioneer”, Harry tweeted next to a photo of the cast. “Many doors are open because of that very soul. Thanks for everything, Cicely.”
AN declaration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center hailed Tyson as an artist who paved the way for many: “Pioneer is not a sufficient description. What a legendary, wise and matriarch artist. We salute you. Rest in power, Lady Cicely.”
Zendaya said on Instagram: “This hurts, today we honor and celebrate the life of one of the greatest who has ever done it. Thank you Cicely Tyson. Rest with great power.”
Producer Shonda Rhimes shared a photo of her smiling next to Tyson on Instagram.
“She was an extraordinary person. And this is an extraordinary loss,” wrote Rhimes. “She has a lot to teach. And I still have a lot to learn. I am grateful for every moment. Her power and grace will be with us forever.”
As the tributes arrived, so did the moving pictures of the actress. The stars shared images of Tyson from his days as a model and in various acting roles.
Tyler Perry honored Tyson with a video clip on Twitter featuring his acting moments, appearances on award shows and even pictures of Perry and Tyson together. Tyson acted in several Perry films, including “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”, “Why did I get married too?” and “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “A Fall from Grace”.
Perry shared a photo of him and Tyson on Instagram in a fit of laughter alongside a tribute.
“This one brought me to my knees! She was the grandmother I never had and the tree of wisdom under which I could always sit to fill my cup. My heart breaks in one beat, while celebrating your life the next,” he wrote Perry. “Thinking that she lived 96 years and I managed to be part of the last 16 brings me great joy. She called me a son. Well, today your son is mourning his loss and will miss our long conversations, his belly laugh, and his own presence. Always so real, always so elegant, always a lady, always a queen. “
The rapper and actor Common tweet: “Although she may be gone, her work and her life will continue to inspire millions for years to come.”
Gayle King of CBS shared several clips from his recent interview with Tyson, who was promoting his memories weeks before his death. She simply tweeted, “Thanks Cicely Tyson … for everything …”
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