Cicely Tyson played Viola Davis’s mother on “How to Get Away with Murder” for five seasons. She was nominated for Emmys each of those years.
Viola sent me this message as a quote about Miss Tyson: “I’m devastated,” she wrote, “I remember a prayer I had when I was 9. I asked God in a desperate moment to pluck me out of my hard life. I closed my eyes and waited. Cut to 40 yrs later working with…this beauty…this Queen….God answered my prayer. With a bonus. That’s how it felt. An answer to my deepest prayer.”
Miss Davis also posted to Instagram, as you can see below. Both statements are so moving, I teared up as I read them. You will, too. (PS She doesn’t want to hear this now, but Viola carries the mantle of Cicely Tyson. She is a daughter in spirit and talent.)
