Sidney Poitier

Biography:

Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, director, author, and diplomat whose path-breaking career made him one of the world cinema’s most significant and highly-regarded personalities. Often hailed as a pioneer for black actors, Poitier became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor with his starring performance in the film Lilies of the Field in 1963. The career of the distinguished performer spanned over five decades during which he performed lead roles in such important films as The Defiant Ones, A Raisin in the Sun, To Sir, with Love, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and Sneakers. Being known for his elegant screen presence, impressive performance, and choice of complex principled characters, Poitier was instrumental in fighting against racial prejudices and making way for the next generations of actors. Besides being an actor, he also directed many films successfully, published several books, and worked as the Bahamas’ ambassador to Japan and UNESCO. His outstanding achievements in the field of cinema were recognized with an Honorary Academy Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom, BAFTA Fellowship, and Kennedy Center Honors.