Sidney Poitier was 94 years old. It was the Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Chester Cooper, who announced the death yesterday Friday of the first black Hollywood star.
Sidney Poitier was born prematurely in Miami, Florida, on February 20, 1927, while his parents were visiting from the Bahamas. He held dual American and Bahamian nationality.
A legendary film personality, he is considered one of the greatest actors of all time by the American Film Institute.
After being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1974, Sydney Poitier received an honorary Oscar in 2002 for “his extraordinary performance, dignity, style and intelligence”.
Tributes are pouring in after the death of the legendary Hollywood actor. Many stars paid tribute to him on social networks including Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Jeffrey Wright.
“If you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters that would rise a thousand feet high. To sir…with love,” wrote, Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg, before adding, “Sir Sidney Poitier RIP He showed us how to reach for the stars. ”.
“Sidney Poitier. What a historic actor. One of a kind. What a magnificent, gracious, warm and truly regal man. RIP, sir. With love,” said actor Jeffrey Wright, who also won a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
Other famous people from other spheres of cinema have greeted the departure of Sydney Poitier including former U.S. President Barack Obama. The latter presented Sidney Poitier with the Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Sydney Poitier was the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1964 film “The Lily of the Field”.
He succeeded in revolutionizing people’s conception of African-Americans in his time.
Sydney Poitier has received numerous awards including a Silver Bear and Bafta for The Chain and a Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1982.
After being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1974, Sydney Poitier received an honorary Oscar in 2002 for “his extraordinary performance, dignity, style and intelligence”.
Tributes are pouring in after the death of the legendary Hollywood actor. Many stars paid tribute to him on social networks including Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Jeffrey Wright.
“If you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters that would rise a thousand feet high. To sir…with love,” wrote, Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg, before adding, “Sir Sidney Poitier RIP He showed us how to reach for the stars. ”.
“Sidney Poitier. What a historic actor. One of a kind. What a magnificent, gracious, warm and truly regal man. RIP, sir. With love,” said actor Jeffrey Wright, who also won a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
Other famous people from other spheres of cinema have greeted the departure of Sydney Poitier including former U.S. President Barack Obama. The latter presented Sidney Poitier with the Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier embodies dignity and grace, revealing the power of film to bring us together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and his legion of fans,” Barack Obama tweeted.
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