Cicely Tyson, groundbreaking actress, dead at 96

Cicely Tyson, pioneering Black actress who gained an Oscar mination for her role as sharecropper’s wife in “Sounder,” a Tony Award in 2013 at 88 and touched TV viewers’ hearts in “ Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” died Thursday at 96.

Tyson's death was anunced by her family, via her manr Larry Thompson, who did t immediately provide ditional details.

“With heavy heart, family of Miss Cicely Tyson anunces her peaceful transition this afteron. At this time, please allow family ir privacy,” according to a statement issued through Thompson.

A onetime model, Tyson began her screen career with bit parts but gained fame in early 1970s when Black women were finally starting to get starring roles. Besides her Oscar mination, she won two Emmys for playing 110-year-old former slave in 1974 television drama “ Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.”

Tyson's memoir, “Just As I Am,” was published this week.