Cicely Tyson, born 1942, became the first black actor to appear in a
major part on a television series, "East Side, West Side." She was
born in Harlem, New York and studied at The Actors Playhouse.
She was enjoyed sustained acclaimed for her work, appearing in film,
televsion and on Broadway. She is perhaps best known for her work in
Sounder for which she received an Academy Award nomination and
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman for which she won two
Emmy Awards.