BAKKACIMA BLOG

  The award-winning actress and a Hollywood icon, Cicely Tyson has died at the age of 96. According to a statement from her manager, Larry Thompson, she died on Thursday afternoon, January 28.  "With heavy heart, the family of Miss Cicely Tyson announces her peaceful transition this afternoon. At this time, please allow the family their privacy," Thompson said in a statement. “I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing. Cicely thought of her new memoir as a Christmas tree decorated with all the ornaments of her personal and professional life. Today she placed the last ornament, a Star, on top of the tree.”

The two brothers claimed they were paid by “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett to stage a racist, homophobic attack against him. They said in a new statement on Thursday that they will now testify against him after announcing their decision not to just one day earlier. The issue came up in 2019 when the two brothers,  Abel and Ola Osundario were thrust into the public eye. They told the police that the actor had paid them $3,500 to jump him on a Chicago street in an effort to raise his profile because he was unhappy with his role on the Fox drama. "Yesterday's decision to voluntarily stop cooperating in the prosecution of Jussie Smollett has nothing to do with the veracity of the statements made to police and prosecutors by Abimnola ('Abel') and Olabinjo ('Ola') Osundairo," their attorney Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez said. "The brothers have consistently stood by their statements and testimony and continue to tell the truth about their involvement." Accor...

Sir Ian Holm, best known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in the  Lord of the Rings  trilogy, has died at the age of 88. The British actor's agent confirmed the news to the Guardian in a statement, saying that his illness was related to Parkinson's. “He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer,” the statement read. “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.” Although Holm was probably best known for his role in  LOTR , he had a long and wide-ranging career, including key roles in  Alien ,  The Fifth Element , and  Ratatouille . He also picked up a 1967 Tony Award for his part in  Lenny , a 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in  King Lear,  and a 1981 BAFTA for a supporting part in  Chariots of Fire. Holm is survived by his wife Sophie de Stempel, who has been sharing sketches and photographs of her late husband on Instagram. 

These maybe shows about families,  be warned that not all of them are kid-friendly. ABC's sitcoms might be a better choice for the whole family than, say,  Ramy , though everyone of course has different standards. Jane the Virgin Justin Baldoni as Rafael, Gina Rodriguez as Jane, Ivonne Coll as Alba, Andrea Navedo as Xo and Jaime Camil as Rogelio in the 'Jane the Virgin' Season 1 finale. If you want to spend time with a truly modern and