Veteran Hollywood Actress Cicely Tyson is Dead

Veteran actress Cicely Tyson has died at the age of 96.

Tyson, who starred as Constantine Jefferson in the 2011 smash hit The Help, died just days after the publication of her long-awaited memoir, Just As I Am. A career-spanning interview to promote the book had aired on US television earlier this week, showing the actress appearing in good health..

It was an emotional interview, as Tyson opened up to TV host Gayle King about the highs and lows of her career – including a traumatic sexual assault she suffered from a well-known acting coach at the start of her career.

Tyson poses with her Emmy statuettes at the annual Emmy Awards presentation in Los Angeles, in 1974. Photo / AP
Tyson poses with her Emmy statuettes at the annual Emmy Awards presentation in Los Angeles, in 1974. Photo / AP
“You know, I never shed a tear about that until this moment,” Tyson told her interviewer as she became choked up.


King asked Tyson several questions touching on her age and mortality. Tyson insisted she felt she had more to do in this life: “That’s why I’m still here.”

Asked how she’d like to be remembered, she remarked simply: “I’ve done my best. That’s all.”

Tyson had scored a Best Actress Oscar nomination in 1972 for her work in the film Sounder, and more recently won a Tony Award in 2013 at the age of 88.


Other standout roles include starring in the 1974 TV movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, 1981’s The Marva Collins Story and the 1991 hit movie Fried Green Tomatoes.

Tyson’s death was announced by her manager Larry Thompson, who did not provide additional details.


“With heavy heart, the family of Miss Cicely Tyson announces her peaceful transition this afternoon. At this time, please allow the family their privacy,” a statement from Thompson read.

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