Cicely Tyson speaks with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest in interview taped 1 day before her death
As fans continue to mourn the loss of Cicely Tyson, Live with Kelly and Ryan has aired one last interview with the legendary actress.
Tyson, the award-winning actress known for her roles in Sounder, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, and more, died on Thursday at the age of 96, just days after her memoir Just as I Am was released. On Friday's Live with Kelly and Ryan, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest aired an interview with her taped only two days ago.
Tyson discussed her upbringing during the conversation, describing how she was "very shy" growing up but that she "listened" and "learned," also recalling a woman who once predicted she would make her mother "very proud" one day. She also discussed the experience of being nominated for an Academy Award for Sounder, saying she "never thought that I would be nominated for an Oscar" but recalling how she used to watch the Oscars regularly and once told herself, "I'm going to sit in that front row one day."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
During her career, Tyson also said she "never really worked for money," but rather "because there were certain issues that I wish were addressed about myself and my race as a Black woman."
Prior to the conversation, Ripa honored Tyson at the start of the show.
"To say Cicely Tyson was an American legend would be too great an understatement," Ripa said. "We were honored to speak with her on Wednesday when we recorded this show and devastated to learn of her passing yesterday. She was a trailblazer who broke barriers for Black actresses and women everywhere." Brendan Morrow
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published