Cicely Tyson Wins Honorary Oscar at 2018 Governors Awards

Legendary actress Cicely Tyson has become the first African-American and Caribbean woman to win an honorary Oscar.

The Governors Awards celebrate the careers of a few entertainment veterans who have not yet won an Academy Award by bestowing them with an honorary Oscar statuette. Recipients are voted on by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Along with Tyson, Argentinian composer Lalo Schifrin, producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, as well as, celebrity publicist Marvin Levy also received honorary Oscars, on Sunday November 18th.

This honor is long over due for the 93-year-old icon whose first and only nomination was 46 years ago for her role in “Sounder” in 1972.

“This is a culmination of all those years of haves and have nots,” Tyson said, noting that she’ll be turning 94 next month.

Held in Los Angeles’ Ray Dolby Ballroom, the private and un-televised 10th Governors Awards dinner was a star-studded event, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names in attendance like; Oprah, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Harrison Ford and Clint Eastwood.

Even though the Academy Awards have been around for more than 90 years, it still struggles with diversity and equality, as #OscarsSoWhite highlighted a few years ago.

Ms. Tyson’s parents hail from St. Kitts and Nevis.

Congrats Queen – YOU DESERVED THIS!

PHOTO: Shutterstock