CICELY TYSON | 95

In her career spanning over seven decades, Cicely Tyson made a name for portraying strong African-American women roles. She is not just an ordinary actress. Her great talent earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, one Actor Guild Award, one Tony Award, one Peabody Award, and an honorary Academy Award.

Although she had a low degree of attention when she started her career in minor TV and film roles, she gained critical acclaim when she did Sounder back in 1972. Here, she played Rebecca Morgan’s role, which earned her a nomination for Best Actress in the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Award. In her next titular role in the 1974 television film, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, she gained more praises and several accolades, like two Emmy Awards and a nomination for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.