---
name: "Cicely Tyson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/cicely-tyson"
fi1m_id: "cicely-tyson"
imdb_id: "nm0001807"
tmdb_id: 18249
wikidata_id: "Q238081"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "19 December 1924"
died: "28 January 2021"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-09-20T05:38:21.718531+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Cicely Tyson

## Identity

Cicely Tyson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/cicely-tyson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** cicely-tyson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001807
- **TMDB ID:** 18249
- **Wikidata ID:** Q238081
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicely_Tyson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238081, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001807/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18249

Actor. Born 19 December 1924 in New York City, New York, USA. Died 28 January 2021.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 19 December 1924, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 28 January 2021
- **Active:** 1972–2011
- **Also known as:** Сисели Тайсон
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 2 Emmys (2 won · 13 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 83 (2), 1990s 75 (1), 2010s 66 (1)
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $336m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicely_Tyson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238081, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001807/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18249

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Sounder*](https://film.one/film/sounder.md) (83)
- **Tubi:** [*The Help*](https://film.one/film/the-help.md) (66)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Cicely Tyson

> Cicely Tyson makes us listen through precise speech and quiet intensity, even in brief supporting parts. Her performances are worth seeking out, though the later films sometimes give her too little to do.

Cicely Tyson's precise speech makes us listen even when the part is small. She brings a quiet intensity to women who have endured a great deal, and makes their dignity feel like something that has taken effort. She refused roles that demeaned Black women, accepting long gaps between jobs rather than taking whatever came. That care is worth valuing, though it cannot make every film she appeared in worth an evening.

*Sounder* (1972) established her as a leading film actress, playing Rebecca in a Depression-era family drama. The title role in *The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman* (1974) required physical and vocal changes across decades of a woman's life. These are useful starting points before the later ensemble films: they give her the space to develop a character that a brief appearance cannot.

Jon Avnet's *Fried Green Tomatoes* (1991) finds her in a supporting role as Sipsey, bringing warmth to a film whose sentiment needs good actors to make it convincing. Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy are particularly persuasive, and we recommend the film for the women at its centre. Its predictable plotting and caution about sexuality keep that recommendation qualified. Tyson is part of the reason the sentiment works, though Sipsey offers less scope than those earlier leading roles.

*The Help* (2011) makes that limitation harder to overlook. Tyson appears briefly as Constantine Jefferson, and we were moved by the quiet intensity she brings to a part with so little time. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer give Tate Taylor's drama much of its feeling, but the film gives its white heroine too much credit and offers too much comfort about segregation. Tyson supplies humanity; she cannot correct where the story puts its attention. See it for the performances, then go to *Sounder* for a leading part that gives her more room.

## Biography

Cicely Tyson was an American actress whose career in film, television and theatre spanned more than seven decades. She was born on 19 December 1924 in New York City and died on 28 January 2021.

Tyson appeared as Sipsey in the 1991 film *Fried Green Tomatoes*. Among her other credits are roles in *The Help* (2011), *House of Cards* (2013), *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014) and *Last Flag Flying* (2017). She received three Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Tony Award, an Honorary Academy Award and a Peabody Award.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *The Help* (2011), Fi1m 66, as Constantine Jefferson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-help.md)
- *Fried Green Tomatoes* (1991), Fi1m 75, as Sipsey — [page](https://film.one/film/fried-green-tomatoes.md)
- *Roots* (1977), Fi1m 83, as Binta — [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)
- *Sounder* (1972), Fi1m 83, as Rebecca Morgan — [page](https://film.one/film/sounder.md)

## Complete filmography (88)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Cherish the Day* (2020), series, as Miss Luma Lee Langston
- *A Fall from Grace* (2020), as Alice
- *The Other Boys of Summer* (2019), as Narrator
- *Last Flag Flying* (2017), as Mrs. Hightower
- *Showing Roots* (2016), as Hattie
- *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014), series, as Ophelia Harkness
- *Madam Secretary* (2014), series, as Flo Avery
- *The Trip to Bountiful* (2014), as Mrs. Watts
- *House of Cards* (2013), series, as Doris Jones
- *The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia* (2013), as Mama Kay
- *Alex Cross* (2012), as Nana Mama
- *The Help* (2011), as Constantine Jefferson — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-help.md)
- *Why Did I Get Married Too?* (2010), as Ola
- *Relative Stranger* (2009), as Pearl
- *Idlewild* (2006), as Mother Hopkins
- *Fat Rose and Squeaky* (2006), as Celine
- *Madea's Family Reunion* (2006), as Myrtle
- *The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer* (2005), series, Actor
- *Diary of a Mad Black Woman* (2005), as Myrtle
- *Because of Winn-Dixie* (2005), as Gloria Dump
- *The Rosa Parks Story* (2002), as Leona Edwards McCauley
- *The Proud Family* (2001), series, as Mrs. Maureen Parker (voice)
- *Jewel* (2001), as Cathedral
- *Aftershock: Earthquake in New York* (1999), series, as Emily Lincoln
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Ondine Burdett
- *A Lesson Before Dying* (1999), as Tante Lou
- *Mama Flora's Family* (1998), series, as Mama Flora
- *Always Outnumbered* (1998), as Luvia
- *Ms. Scrooge* (1997), as Ms. Ebenita Scrooge
- *Hoodlum* (1997), as Stephanie St. Clair
- *Blessed Assurance* (1997), as Vesta Lotte Battle
- *Riot* (1997), as Maggie
- *Bridge of Time* (1997), as Guardian
- *The Road to Galveston* (1996), as Jordan Roosevelt
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Justice Gretchen Parkhurst
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Abigail Peabody-Jackson
- *Sweet Justice* (1994), series, Actor
- *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All* (1994), as Castralia
- *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All* (1994), series, as Castalia
- *House of Secrets* (1993), as Evangeline
- *When No One Would Listen* (1992), as Sarah
- *Duplicates* (1992), as Dr. Randolph
- *Fried Green Tomatoes* (1991), as Sipsey — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/fried-green-tomatoes.md)
- *The Kid Who Loved Christmas* (1990), as Etta Mercer
- *Heat Wave* (1990), as Ruthana Richardson
- *The Women of Brewster Place* (1989), as Mrs. Browne
- *The Women of Brewster Place* (1989), series, as Mrs. Browne
- *B.L. Stryker* (1989), series, Actor
- *Intimate Encounters* (1986), as Dr. Claire Dalton
- *Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story* (1986), as Muriel
- *Acceptable Risks* (1986), as Janet Framm
- *An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.* (1986), Actor
- *Playing with Fire* (1985), as Carol Phillips
- *Benny's Place* (1982), as Odessa
- *The Marva Collins Story* (1981), as Marva Collins
- *Bustin' Loose* (1981), as Vivian Perry
- *The Concorde... Airport '79* (1979), as Elaine
- *A Woman Called Moses* (1978), series, as Harriet Ross Tubman
- *King* (1978), series, as Coretta Scott King
- *Wilma* (1977), as Blanche Rudolph
- *A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich* (1977), as Sweets
- *Roots* (1977), series, as Binta — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)
- *Just an Old Sweet Song* (1976), as Priscilla Simmons
- *The Blue Bird* (1976), as Tylette
- *The River Niger* (1976), as Mattie Williams
- *The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman* (1974), as Jane Pittman
- *Sounder* (1972), as Rebecca Morgan — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/sounder.md)
- *Emergency!* (1972), series, as Mrs. Johnson
- *Neighbors* (1971), as Vicky Gunther
- *Marriage: Year One* (1971), as Emma Teasley
- *The Courtship of Eddie's Father* (1969), series, as Betty Kelly
- *The Bill Cosby Show* (1969), series, as Mildred Hermosa
- *To Be Young, Gifted and Black: The World of Lorraine Hansberry in Her Own Words* (1969), Actor
- *The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter* (1968), as Portia Copeland
- *The Comedians* (1967), as Marie Therese
- *Cowboy in Africa* (1967), series, as Julie Anderson
- *Judd, for the Defense* (1967), series, Actor
- *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Alma Ross — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md)
- *A Man Called Adam* (1966), as Claudia Ferguson
- *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Julie Harmon, Lainey Harber
- *East Side/West Side* (1963), series, Actor
- *A Morning For Jimmy* (1960), as Sister
- *The Last Angry Man* (1959), as Girl Left on Porch (uncredited)
- *Odds Against Tomorrow* (1959), as Jazz Club Bartender (uncredited)
- *Naked City* (1958), series, as Darlene Knox
- *Carib Gold* (1956), as Dottie
- *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Rachel Biggs
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Marva Collins

## Gallery

- ![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst jazz-trompetist Miles Davis op Schiphol. Miles Davis en zijn  (1982)](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-323817c99b9b.jpg) Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aankomst jazz-trompetist Miles Davis op Schiphol. Miles Davis en zijn  (1982) — Marcel Antonisse / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Aankomst_jazz-trompetist_Miles_Davis_op_Schiphol._Miles_Davis_en_zijn_vrouw_Ceci%2C_Bestanddeelnr_932-1250.jpg/1280px-Aankomst_jazz-trompetist_Miles_Davis_op_Schiphol._Miles_Davis_en_zijn_vrouw_Ceci%2C_Bestanddeelnr_932-1250.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Amerikaanse filmster Cicely Tyson tijdens persconferentie in Utrecht D (1973)](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-ce6597324d01.jpg) Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Amerikaanse filmster Cicely Tyson tijdens persconferentie in Utrecht D (1973) — Hans Peters for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Amerikaanse_filmster_Cicely_Tyson_tijdens_persconferentie_in_Utrecht%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-2468.jpg/1280px-Amerikaanse_filmster_Cicely_Tyson_tijdens_persconferentie_in_Utrecht%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-2468.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Amerikaanse filmster Cicely Tyson tijdens persconferentie in Utrecht D (1973)](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-4de0eb721b78.jpg) Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Amerikaanse filmster Cicely Tyson tijdens persconferentie in Utrecht D (1973) — Hans Peters for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Amerikaanse_filmster_Cicely_Tyson_tijdens_persconferentie_in_Utrecht%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-2469.jpg/1280px-Amerikaanse_filmster_Cicely_Tyson_tijdens_persconferentie_in_Utrecht%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-2469.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cecily Tyson at the Governor's Ball after the Emmy telecast 9/11/94 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post but please credit "photo by Alan Li (1994)](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-7610c501670b.jpg) Cecily Tyson at the Governor's Ball after the Emmy telecast 9/11/94 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post but please credit "photo by Alan Li (1994) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Cecily_Tyson_%28251560542%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cicely Tyson](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-c2f869912ccd.jpg) Cicely Tyson — Image via TMDB
- ![Cicely Tyson](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-b90f42521147.jpg) Cicely Tyson — Image via TMDB
- ![Cicely Tyson](https://film.one/media/person/79722/gallery-7327563946d8.jpg) Cicely Tyson — Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Cicely_Tyson.jpg/1280px-Cicely_Tyson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1973: Best Actress (nominated), for *Sounder*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1974: Best Actress in a Leading Role (nominated), for *The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman*

### Golden Globes — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1973: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *Sounder*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won, 13 nominated

- 2020: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- 2019: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- 2018: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- 2017: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- 2015: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- 2014: Outstanding Television Movie (nominated)
- 2014: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated)
- 2009: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (nominated)
- 1999: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (nominated), for *A Lesson Before Dying*
- 1995: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Sweet Justice*
- 1994: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All*
- 1982: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hallmark Hall of Fame*
- 1978: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *King*
- 1977: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Roots*
- 1974: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman*

### SAG Awards — 1 won, 3 nominated

- 2011: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *The Help*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated)
- 1995: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated), for *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All*
- 1995: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Sweet Justice*

### Other awards — 29 won, 4 nominated

- Peabody Awards 2020: Peabody Awards (won)
- Television Hall of Fame 2020: Television Hall of Fame (won)
- Academy Honorary Award 2019: Academy Honorary Award (won)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2017: Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series (won), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2017: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- honorary doctor of the Howard University 2016: honorary doctor of the Howard University (won)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2016: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *How to Get Away with Murder*
- Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom (won)
- Kennedy Center Honors 2015: Kennedy Center Honors (won)
- honorary doctorate from Columbia University 2014: honorary doctorate from Columbia University (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2013: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (won), for *The Trip to Bountiful*
- Black Reel Award for Outstanding Ensemble 2011: Black Reel Award for Outstanding Ensemble (won), for *The Help*
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast 2011: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast (won), for *The Help*
- National Board of Review Award for Best Cast 2011: National Board of Review Award for Best Cast (won), for *The Help*
- Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture 2011: Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture (won), for *The Help*
- Spingarn Medal 2010: Spingarn Medal (won)
- honorary doctorate 2009: honorary doctorate (won)
- Black Movie Awards 2005: Black Movie Awards (nominated), for *Diary of a Mad Black Woman*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture 2005: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Hoodlum*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture 1997: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Hoodlum*
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 1997: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won)
- Candace Award 1988: Candace Award (won)
- honorary degree from Spelman College 1984: honorary degree from Spelman College (won)
- Crystal Award 1982: Crystal Award (won)
- Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming 1982: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming (nominated)
- Women in Film Honors 1982: Women in Film Honors (won)
- Golden Plate Award 1980: Golden Plate Award (won)
- Ladies' Home Journal Women of the Year 1978: Ladies' Home Journal Women of the Year (won)
- Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame 1977: Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (won)
- 26th Primetime Emmy Awards 1974: 26th Primetime Emmy Awards (won), for *The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman*
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress 1972: Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress (won), for *Sounder*
- National Board of Review Award for Best Actress 1972: National Board of Review Award for Best Actress (won), for *Sounder*
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress 1972: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress (won), for *Sounder*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/cicely-tyson