Photos: The Evolution of Cicely Tyson

A look back at Cicely Tyson’s bold roles.

Blazing a Trail - Throughout her career, actress Cicely Tyson has enchanted audiences with her striking beauty and passionate performances on screens big and small. On March 19, during BET Network’s Leading Women Defined summit in Washington, D.C., the legendary actress was honored for her infallible ability to bring bold, Black female characters to life in roles that shook up the status quo in Hollywood. Take a look back at some of her most dynamic roles.— Britt Middleton  The Bill Cosby Show (1970),  as Mildred Hermosa. (Photo: Bill Cosby, Jemmin, Inc.)
Sounder (1972) - Sounder, as Rebecca Morgan.  (Photo: Radnitz/Mattel Productions)
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is about a Black woman who was born a slave in 1852 and then deals with the oppression of Jim Crow until she joins the civil rights movement. (Photo: Tomorrow Entertainment)Roots (1977) - Roots, as Binta.  (Photo: Fotos INternational/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Blazing a Trail - Throughout her career, actress Cicely Tyson has enchanted audiences with her striking beauty and passionate performances on screens big and small. On March 19, during BET Network’s Leading Women Defined summit in Washington, D.C., the legendary actress was honored for her infallible ability to bring bold, Black female characters to life in roles that shook up the status quo in Hollywood. Take a look back at some of her most dynamic roles.— Britt Middleton The Bill Cosby Show (1970),  as Mildred Hermosa. (Photo: Bill Cosby, Jemmin, Inc.)

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