Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS
Legendary Academy Award Nominated Actress Cicely Tyson To Be Honored During the Third Annual "Essence" Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon Along With Queen Latifah, Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige and Gabourey Sidibe
By Staff
posted Feb 18, 2010, 16:58
Tyson to Receive the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Legend Award: Honored as Trailblazer during ESSENCE's 40th Anniversary Year
Legendary Academy Award Nominated Actress Cicely Tyson To Be Honored During
the Third Annual "Essence" Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon Along
With Queen Latifah, Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige and Gabourey Sidibe
Tyson to Receive the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Legend Award: Honored
as Trailblazer during ESSENCE's 40th Anniversary Year
(New York) Completing an already exciting list of honorees including Queen
Latifah, Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, ESSENCE is
excited to announce as part of its 40th Anniversary celebration Academy Award
nominee Cicely Tyson as the recipient of the Legend Award at the third annual
ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. The event will take place during
Oscar Week on Thursday, March 4, in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Cicely Tyson will join past ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Legend Award honorees
Ruby Dee and Diahann Carroll as pioneers who have paved the way and broken barriers
for African-American actresses in Hollywood.
Star of television, film and stage, Cicely Tyson is a trailblazer for her portrayal
of strong positive roles for African-American actresses. As a successful model
turned actress, she has become one of America's most respected performers and
has appeared with several of Hollywood's best: George C. Scott, James Earl Jones,
Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Cosby, Laurence Fishburne and Kathy Bates.
"Cicely Tyson is an icon who has transcended time with classic performances
that have touched our hearts and made us proud," said ESSENCE editor-in-chief
Angela Burt-Murray. "The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon will
pay homage to the outstanding work and contributions of Ms. Tyson. She is a
Legend because she continues in her craft with passion and integrity –
an accomplishment to which we all aspire."
In 1972, Cicely Tyson received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best
Actress for her role in the critically acclaimed movie Sounder and won two Emmy
Awards (Outstanding Lead Actress & Actress of the Year) for The Autobiography
of Miss Jane Pittman in 1974. Tyson's roles in films like Roots, King, A Woman
Called Moses and The Marva Collins Story have all brought meaning and vision
to real life American stories and have garnered several Emmy Awards for her
lead and supporting roles. In 2005, Cicely Tyson joined the then budding Hollywood
director Tyler Perry for his first feature film "Diary of a Mad Black Woman"
and again in 2006 for "Madea's Family Reunion" which are both adaptations
of Perry's hit stage plays.
Ms. Tyson has used her career to not only entertain but as a platform to uplift
and educate the African-American community. In 1995, the Cicely Tyson School
of Performing and Fine Arts opened in East Orange, New Jersey, named in her
honor. The school, which serves one of New Jersey's most underprivileged African-American
communities, helps to teach and develop budding actors and artists.
Sponsors for the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon include presenting
sponsor Lincoln, as well as partner sponsors COVERGIRL Queen Collection and
MasterCard Worldwide. The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon is also
supported by Moet & Chandon.
Resources:
Essence Communications Inc.: www.essence.com
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