Cicely Tyson wins $600,000 jury verdict from Elizabeth Taylor for 1983 firing

Jet, Oct 7, 1996

Actress Elizabeth Taylor owes actress Cicely Tyson more than $600,000 for firing her from a theatrical production 13 years ago, a jury recently ruled.

In 1983 Ms. Tyson was under contract to Ms. Taylor's production company to act in stage and screen versions of the classic play, The Corn is Green. After critics panned the theater version, Ms. Tyson was fired for taking a night off to attend a tribute to her then-husband, late jazz musician Miles Davis (Jet, Dec. 5, 1983). The play closed after less than two weeks.

Tyson sued, saving she was "improperly terminated" and Taylor still owed her $607,000 plus interest on her contract.

"I'm relieved," Ms. Tyson said after the verdict. "...l'm just glad its over and the truth will always win."

Ms. Taylor did not show up for the three-day trial. She appeared before the jury by videotape. Her lawyer said an appeal was likely.