EntertainmentAmerican1924 – 2021
Cicely Tyson
Pioneering Black actress; first Black woman to star in own TV series; civil rights icon
Biography
Groundbreaking actress and trailblazer who became the first Black woman to star in her own television series, 'East Side/West Side.' Her career spanned seven decades, earning her an Academy Award nomination and multiple Emmy Awards.
Quick Facts
Category
Entertainment
Nationality
American
Born
1924
Died
2021
Thinking about the name
Cicily
Latin origin
“A spelling variation of Cecilia emphasizing the 'ily' ending common in contemporary feminine names, Cicily modernizes a classical name while preserving its literary heritage. This spelling became more common in the 20th century as parents sought to refresh traditional names with contemporary orthography.”