News Cicely Tyson dies at 96: Tyler Perry, Oprah, Viola Davis and more mourn ‘greatest to ever do it’ January 28, 2021 Cydney Henderson and Bill Keveney, USA TODAY Comments Off on Cicely Tyson dies at 96: Tyler Perry, Oprah, Viola Davis and more mourn ‘greatest to ever do it’ Cicely Tyson, who died Thursday at 96, was celebrated by stars as both an actress and a person. Read Oprah, Viola Davis and Tyler Perry's tributes.