Tributes were pouring in Friday for iconic Emmy and Tony winning actress Sicily Taison, who shattered racial stereotypes over a seven decade career.

Tyson died Thursday at age 96 just two days after the publication of her memoir, Justus.

I Am Oprah Winfrey perhaps captured her best writing quote.

Sicily decided early on that her work is an actor would be more than a job.

She used her career to illuminate the humanity of black people.

The role she played reflected her values.

She never compromised her life.

So fully lived is a testimony to greatness throughout Tyson's distinguished career, which ranged from her breakthrough film role in 1972 Oscar nominated Sounder to recent parts on TV shows How to Get Away with Murder and House of Cards.

Tyson stood firm in her refusal to take roles she deemed demeaning to black women despite great success on stage and in films.

It was television that made her a household name with groundbreaking performances in 1974 The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, 1970 seven's Roots in 1994 is the oldest Confederate widow tells all in the two thousands, Taison worked steadily and film, thanks in part to Tyler Perry, who cast her in several of his movies.

Off her death, Perry wrote Quote, This one brought me to my knees.

She was the grandmother I never had and the wisdom tree that I could always sit under to fill my cup.

My heart breaks in one beat.

While celebrating her life in the next, Tyson was married to jazz great Miles Davis from 1981 to 1988.

Her numerous awards also included honors from the Deep and in 2016, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Obama, on social media, wrote quote.

She had a heart unlike any other, and for 96 years she left a mark on the world that few will ever match.