Legendary actor Sidney Poitier, whose 71-year career included iconic roles in the classic Hollywood films "A Raisin in the Sun," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "Uptown Saturday Night," has died.

The actor was 94. His cause of death has yet to be confirmed.

His trailblazing career, the subject of an upcoming Broadway show, stemmed from humble beginnings. According to PBS, 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. From there, he took up acting roles in plays for the next several years until his film debut in the racially charged film "No Way Out."

Miami-born star earned his first Academy Award nomination in 1959 for his work in "The Defiant Ones." The nomination was significant to America as he was the first African-American to be nominated for Best Actor. That role also earned him a Golden Globe win and a BAFTA Award.

Poitier broke 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.


https://nypost.com/2022/01/07/beloved-actor-sidney-poitier-dead-at-94/

Very sorry to hear this.

This man was an amazing actor who was in some great films.

Just a few:

Cry, the Beloved Country
Blackboard Jungle
Raisin in the Sun (surprisingly timely; could have been made today)
Lilies of the Field
In the Heat of the Night
To Sir with Love

He was one of the greatest actors ever.

Yes he could.

I watch any of those movies I listed any time they appear on TV. He was a captivating actor; showed all kinds of complexity and depth (not just ANGER BECAUSE RACISM). His subtlety was a wonder to behold.

I will add that he got some great, complex roles to play, too, but I can't imagine them being done better.



I hate to put it this way because he was a universal actor and I don't want to limit him in any way by defining him as "black," but he really did serve as a kind of bridge for white audiences to help move them beyond their own racism (I grew up in the deep South and know that racism well).

AARRGH. It's hard to say it the way I mean it without seeming to put him in too narrow a box. He offered a window into the world of being black that generated sympathy and understanding, I think. He was MUCH more than that, but it was certainly part of his career. Not what I remember him for, but he did take on some controversial roles and that should be said, and I'm sure it will be in coming days.

I totally get what you mean

No one could have done "Lillies of the Field" or "Guess who's Coming to Dinner" like he did.

It was perfection

Damn, we are losing some legends.

WE STILL CALL HIM MR. TIBBS!

A legend lost. I came looking for this thread. He was a part of forming my upbringing. My mother was British using proper English and To Sir With Love was a repeated major conversation topic in my family growing up. When I occasionally see it replayed on tv, I normally stop and get caught watching it again. Such a microscope on the culture change battles going on at the time.

I thought he was an amazing actor.