19 Vintage Photos of Cicely Tyson at Her Most Glamorous

Cicely Tyson was one of the most prolific actresses of our time. Throughout a career spanning over 70 years, Cicely has been a staple on the big screen, small screen, and stages. She dedicated her life not just to her career but to changing the narrative of the types of roles Black women could play in Hollywood and on Broadway. Born in Harlem, Cicely knew she wanted to act from a young age and received pushback from her mother until she saw just how good she was on stage. After playing small parts for years, Cicely received widespread acclaim for her role in Sounder and went on to win multiple Emmys, Black Reel Awards, an honorary Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild, and a Tony during her illustrious career. Ms. Tyson worked up until her death on Jan 28th, 2021, just two days after the release of her memoir, Just As I Am. Cicely Tyson was a true renaissance woman, known not just for her work ethic, but her activism, her beauty, and her presence on and off-screen. Celebrate her legend and her life with these vintage photos of Cicely Tyson doing what she did best ... being her best, most glamorous self.

Cicely faces the camera straight on while wearing one of her signature cornrow styles.

During a visit to London, Tyson exudes joy while rocking a paisley shirt and fur.

Cicely Tyson holds the two Emmys she won for The Autobiography of Jane Pittman while wearing a beautiful scoop neck, floral printed dress, and braided crown bun.

Discovered by a photographer for Ebony magazine, Cicely had an early career as a successful fashion model before reaching her stardom in acting. A striking face with large, beautiful, eyes, Cicely shows off in one of her most well-known glamour shots, taken in 1976.

Another glamour shot of Ms. Tyson, this time taken in 1960. Cicely offers us a doe-eyed star while rocking the short bob with bangs hairstyle made famous by R&B singers like The Supremes.

Cicely Tyson received national recognition and critical acclaim for her role as Rebecca in Sounder. The role garnered her both an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination.

Cicely Tyson's love affair with Miles Davis is legendary, and in spite of their tumultuous history, she considered him the love of her life up until her death. Here she is with Davis at the premiere of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, wearing a slinky white gown and rocking her iconic TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)

Cicely poses for a still shot during the filming of A Man Called Adam, which starred Sammy Davis Jr. and featured Cicily as a civil rights activist and love interest of Sammy's title character, Adam.

Cicely channels Corretta Scott King in this promotional still for the TV movie, King, in 1978.

Cicely is the epitome of city chic in trousers and a tweed jacket. While biking in her hometown of NYC, Cicely was asked her age by a reporter, to which she replied that she could tell him, but might kick herself in ten years for doing so.

Cicely poses in hoops, a white turtleneck, and a suede jacket while playing Marva Collins in the Hallmark tv movie. Cicely was nominated for a primetime Emmy for playing Collins, a Black school teacher who starts her own school after increasing dissatisfaction with the Chicago school system.

Cicely presented Rosa Parks with the Eleanor Roosevelt Woman of Courage award in Detroit Michigan.

Stunning in statement earrings and necklace, tulle bow, and a fur, Cicely interviews during the Celebration of Life Gala, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments in 1989 D.C.

Cicely stuns during a short cameo in The F.B.I, a crime procedural show during the 60s, early on in her career.

Very few people rock a fur like Ms. Tyson. Here, Cicely heads inside the Willi Smith fashion in a floor-length mink complete leather gloves and slingback heels.

A regal vision in burgundy while on the set of Benny's Place in 1982.

Cicely presents at the 49th Academy awards in an off-the-shoulder-white billowy blouse and red choker, adding a playful element to her regal presence.

At the 1978 Academy Awards, Cicely glows in a beautiful pleated tunic and skirt, with gold accessories in her hair and around her neck. Of course, her outfit is completed with fur, this time a brown vest that complements her breezy outfit.

Cher before Clueless became a staple, Ciciely Tyson's yellow tweed number while playing Mrs. Browne in Women of Brewster Place is one of her most iconic wardrobe moments. Based on Gloria Gaynor's critically acclaimed novel of the same name, the television mini-series garnered much praise and was produced by Oprah's Harpo Productions.