Cicely Tyson (born December 19, 1933) is an
American actress. A successful stage actress, Tyson is also known for appearances in the film
Sounder and the television specials
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and
Roots.
Personal life
Tyson was born and raised in Harlem, New York, the daughter of Theodosia (a domestic) and William Tyson (a pushcart operator), immigrants from the island of
Nevis of the
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the
West Indies.
[Cicely Tyson Biography (1933-)][www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67858566.html][select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70612F73C5A137A93C3A9178BD95F468785F9] Tyson's father William arrived in New York City at the age of 21 and was processed at
Ellis Island on August 4, 1919.
[The Staue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.] She married famous
jazz trumpeter
Miles Davis on
26 November 1981 -- the ceremony was conducted by Atlanta mayor
Andrew Young at the home of actor
Bill Cosby. Tyson and Davis divorced in 1988. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
On May 17, 2009, Tyson received an honorary degree from
Morehouse College.
