Gloria Washington, the executive director of the Texas African American Museum in Tyler, left, presents Tyler native Phyllis Cicero, with the proclamation  declaring Sept. 16, 2019, as Phyllis Cicero Day in Tyler.

 For years, Tyler native Phyllis Cicero appeared in episodes of the popular 1990s children’s series “Barney and Friends” as Stella the Storyteller.

On Feb. 28, 1995, she was in the episode titled “If the Shoe Fits …”

Cicero studied theater arts at the University of Texas at Austin and Columbia University before a career that included acting, voice work and theater arts.

On Sept. 16, 2019, she returned to Tyler for a visit. A proclamation designating the day as Phyllis Cicero Day was done to honor her.

In the Spotlight

— 2014: Shea Whigham, an alumnus of Tyler Junior College, appears in “Non-Stop,” an action thriller starring Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore.

–2006: Adam Mayfield, who grew up in Texarkana, has a guest role on “Girlfriends.”

— 2005: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

— 2000: Longview native Forest Whitaker is a guest on “The Daily Show.”

— 1998: My Heart Will Go On,” a song recorded by Celine Dion and co-written by Will Jennings, who grew up in Tyler, hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  

— 1996: At the Grammy Awards, which is hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, who spent her high school years in Atlanta:

•  Tyler native Johnny Gimble wins Best Country Instrumental Performance (“Hightower”).

• Panola County native Linda Davis is nominee for Best Country Collaboration with vocals for her contributions to “On My Own” featuring Reba McEntire. 

• Brave Combo, a band featuring Texarkana native Carl Finch, is a nominee for Best Polka Album (“Polkas for a Gloomy World.”)

— 1994: K.T. Oslin, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, has a guest role on “Evening Shade.” 

— 1994: Nacogdoches native Tony Frank appears in the miniseries “Heaven & Hell: North & South Book III.”

— 1987: “Walk of Tears” by K.T. Oslin, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, peaks at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot Country songs chart.

— 1987: “Street Language” by Rodney Crowell, who attended Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, peaks at No. 38 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

— 1984: At the Grammy Awards, The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, are a nominee for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Group (“American Made”).

— 1976: At the Grammy Awards, the Eagles, featuring Linden native Don Henley, win Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group (“Lyin’ Eyes”). 

— 1972: Gilmer native Johnny Mathis begins a week as guest host of “The Mike Douglas Show.”

— 1968: Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson appears in an episode of “The Guns of Will Sonnett.” 

— 1960: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin has a guest role on “Maverick.”

— 1959: Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson has a guest role on “Gunsmoke.” 

— 1957: At the Golden Globe Awards, “Bus Stop,” directed by Texarkana native, Joshua Logan is a nominee for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.

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— 1964: Gilmer native Johnny Mathis’ “Bye Bye Barbara” peaks at No. 17 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary singles chart.

— 1964:  Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson has a guest role on “Gunsmoke.”

— 1960: “There Was a Little Girl,” a play directed by Texarkana native Joshua Logan, debuts on Broadway.