Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win Best Actor Oscar, dies aged 94
Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win Best Actor Oscar, dies aged 94 on Friday.
The Hollywood star is best known for films including Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night Lilies of the Field, A Raisin in the Sun, and Uptown Saturday Night has died.
The cause of his death is yet unknown.
The news of the actor’s death was announced by the Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell.
Bahamian-American star Poitier was automatically granted US citizenship after being unexpectedly born in February 1927 in Miami.
Sidney Poitier was born — two months premature — in Miami while his farmer parents were visiting from the Bahamas. He was not expected to survive.
As being prepared Poitier moved to New York City at age 16 after living in the Bahamas for several years with his family.
In the Big Apple, he found work as a janitor at the American Negro Theater in exchange for acting lessons.
And from there, Poitier took up acting roles in plays for the next several years until his film debut in the racially charged film “No Way Out.”
He earned his first Academy Award nomination in 1959 for his work in the film titled “The Defiant Ones.” The nomination was noteworthy to America as he was the first African-American to be nominated for Best Actor.
Furthermore, that role also earned him a Golden Globe win and a BAFTA Award.
Poitier continued to break even more barriers in 1963 with his hit film “Lilies of the Field.”
The following year, Poitier became the first African American to ever win the Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
US President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to ambassador and actor Sidney Poitier during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009.
In 1927, Sidney Poitier was born — two months premature — in Miami while his farmer parents were visiting from the Bahamas. He was not expected to survive.https://t.co/7QoAsBUa0j#Miami #SidneyPoitier #Hollywood pic.twitter.com/CF9nRMrmOf
— Roben Farzad (@robenfarzad) January 7, 2022
Until I can properly eulogize him later. Heart broken. I am because of him. He blazed a tremendous path for thespians such as me. I am forever grateful. Standing O for this giant. pic.twitter.com/B6ZgNZF8MG
— Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win an Oscar, has died at the age of 94. The star of “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” and “Lilies of the Field,” for which he won Best Actor, was a trailblazer who will be mourned by so many for whom he opened the very doors of Hollywood.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 7, 2022
Rest in heaven to the artist, activist and now ancestor Mr. Sidney Poitier. @rolandsmartin has reported the icon has passed away at 94 years old. #SidneyPoitier https://t.co/EstXJwcat5
— Sister Toldja (@CherrellRene) January 7, 2022
RIP Sidney Poitier, 94.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 7, 2022
When he answered an ad for actors, as an illiterate young man, the theatre owner sneered: ‘Go be a dishwasher.’
Sidney already was a dishwasher.
Stung by the jibe, he vowed to prove him wrong.
He became the first black man to win the Best Actor Oscar. pic.twitter.com/JNpBWi8nwk
RIP to the amazing #SidneyPoitier, the giant who insisted on me calling him “dad.” (Sorry this picture is dark and blurry, but you didn’t ask Sir Sidney to do multiple selfies so you could “find the light.”) pic.twitter.com/Nvf0srNfwU
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 7, 2022
