Cicely Tyson, an award-winning actress who broke barriers for Black actresses, has died at the age of 96.

Tyson's career lasted decades, but she is perhaps best remembered for the 1974 TV miniseries "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman." The role earned her Emmy Awards for actress of the year and best actress in a drama.

Tyson was nominated for an Academy Award in 1973, and she received an honorary Oscar in 2018. She has also won a Tony Award.

In 2016, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only succeeded as an actor, she has shaped the whole course history," President Barack Obama said at the award ceremony.

Her award citation noted "her achievements as an actor, her devotion to her faith, and her commitment to advancing equality for all Americans -- especially women of color."

Tyson was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine. She had substantial theater parts in the early part of the 1950s, and she was on television regularly by the mid-1960s.
Tyson was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine. She had substantial theater parts in the early part of the 1950s, and she was on television regularly by the mid-1960s.
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Tyson appears in an episode of the television show "East Side/West Side" in 1963.
Tyson appears in an episode of the television show "East Side/West Side" in 1963.
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Tyson attends the To Be Young, Gifted and Black Gala in New York in 1969. Novelist James Baldwin is next to Tyson. Singer Harry Belafonte is on the right.
Tyson attends the To Be Young, Gifted and Black Gala in New York in 1969. Novelist James Baldwin is next to Tyson. Singer Harry Belafonte is on the right.
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Tyson is awarded an honorary degree in 1970 from what is now known as Clark Atlanta University.
Tyson is awarded an honorary degree in 1970 from what is now known as Clark Atlanta University.
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Tyson's role in the 1972 movie "Sounder" won her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.
Tyson's role in the 1972 movie "Sounder" won her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.
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Tyson poses for a portrait circa 1973.
Tyson poses for a portrait circa 1973.
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Tyson talks on the telephone in a Paris hotel room in 1973.
Tyson talks on the telephone in a Paris hotel room in 1973.
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Tyson won two Emmys for her role in the 1974 miniseries "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman."
Tyson won two Emmys for her role in the 1974 miniseries "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman."
Everett Collection
Tyson appears in the miniseries "Roots" in 1977. She portrayed Binta, the mother of Kunta Kinte.
Tyson appears in the miniseries "Roots" in 1977. She portrayed Binta, the mother of Kunta Kinte.
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Tyson attends a star-studded tribute for her husband, jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, in 1983. The two were married in 1981 and divorced in 1988.
Tyson attends a star-studded tribute for her husband, jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, in 1983. The two were married in 1981 and divorced in 1988.
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In 1984, Tyson presented civil-rights icon Rosa Parks with an Eleanor Roosevelt Woman of Courage Award.
In 1984, Tyson presented civil-rights icon Rosa Parks with an Eleanor Roosevelt Woman of Courage Award.
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Tyson is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.
Tyson is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.
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Oprah Winfrey presents the Distinguished Career Achievement award to Tyson during the 2006 Black Movie Awards.
Oprah Winfrey presents the Distinguished Career Achievement award to Tyson during the 2006 Black Movie Awards.
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Tyson is seen on the set of "Madea's Family Reunion" with Maya Angelou and director Tyler Perry in 2006.
Tyson is seen on the set of "Madea's Family Reunion" with Maya Angelou and director Tyler Perry in 2006.
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Tyson appears with Lila Rogers in the 2011 movie "The Help."
Tyson appears with Lila Rogers in the 2011 movie "The Help."
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Tyson, third from right, attends an unveiling of a Miles Davis postage stamp in 2012.
Tyson, third from right, attends an unveiling of a Miles Davis postage stamp in 2012.
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Tyson accepts the Tony Award for best performance by a leading actress in a play in 2013. She won for her role in "The Trip to Bountiful."
Tyson accepts the Tony Award for best performance by a leading actress in a play in 2013. She won for her role in "The Trip to Bountiful."
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Tyson is recognized at the final performance of "The Trip to Bountiful" in 2013.
Tyson is recognized at the final performance of "The Trip to Bountiful" in 2013.
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Tyson appears with Viola Davis in an episode of the TV show "How to Get Away With Murder."
Tyson appears with Viola Davis in an episode of the TV show "How to Get Away With Murder."
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President Barack Obama presents Tyson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
President Barack Obama presents Tyson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
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Tyson speaks at the AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington in 2019.
Tyson speaks at the AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington in 2019.
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