Viola Davis, Tyler Perry, Oprah and others honor and celebrate Cicely Tyson's legacy
Hollywood legend Cicely Tyson, the pioneering actress whose career spanned seven decades, died Thursday at the age of 96, ABC News confirmed.
Following news of the icon's death, actors, artists and other notable figures took to social media to honor her legacy and share their fondest memories of the beloved actress.
In tributes that poured in from stars, many mentioned how Tyson broke through barriers and influenced their careers. Others openly grieved the loss of their mentor and friend.
Viola Davis, who played Tyson's on-screen daughter on the ABC drama "How to Get Away With Murder" -- a role that earned the late actress five Emmy nods -- grieved the loss with a devastating message.
"I'm devastated. My heart is just broken," said Davis. "I loved you so much!! You were everything to me! You made me feel loved and seen and valued in a world where there is still a cloak of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls." Davis confessed that she is "not ready for you to be my angel yet" but said the legacy Tyson leaves behind makes her "immortal."
Tyler Perry penned another heartfelt note about his reaction to Tyson's death.
"This one brought me to my knees! She was the grandmother I never had and the wisdom tree that I could always sit under to fill my cup," he wrote. "She called me son. Well, today your son grieves your loss and will miss our long talks, your laughter from your belly, and your very presence."
Oprah was another friend of Tyson's who left a beautiful tribute, writing, "Cicely decided early on that her work as an actor would be more than a job. She used her career to illuminate the humanity of Black people."
Dionne Warwick also shared a statement on the passing of her good friend.
“Another of our True Giants has gone to collect her Reward," Warwick said in the statement. "Cicely Tyson Was and Is one that I personally had the pleasure of knowing and revering as a Friend and Champion on many levels........She gave us so very much with her passionate talent that luckily will be preserved for all to continue to learn from and enjoy................I'll miss her like so many others that had the privilege of knowing her will. My Heartfelt condolences to her family and host of friends. Rest in Peace dear Friend."
During an appearance on "Good Morning America" Friday, Tracee Ellis Ross also paid tribute. "Where to begin? Her dignity, the way she illuminated the humanity of Black people, her expansive impact, she never compromised," Ross shared.
"I think of the fact that her presence created the possibility for the present that we're living in," she continued. "And she offered a road map of sorts of great heart -- and it's so amazing because you see on Instagram so many people had met her, touched her, talked with her and had intimate and special moments where those extraordinary eyes of hers allowed you to fall into the depths of who she was and, in turn, sort of make you stand up taller and want to be more yourself. So she leaves us with a lot of gifts ... and I send all of my love and prayers to her family and those that really knew her intimately."
See more reactions and messages mourning Tyson from Hollywood below:
