Legendary Sir Sidney Poitier — Rest in Power

How one man with his talent single handily knocked down color barriers.

Sir Sidney Poitier was one of those celebrities like Betty White that the entertainment world thought, and hoped would live forever allowing others to walk in their footprints and be exposed to their talents. He was a beloved legend and the first Black best actor Oscar winner.

I can vividly remember him from “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and how it was the talk everywhere giving its context, a Black man arrives at dinner in a white family. America was in an uproar. To my knowledge, this was the first film of this nature that gained surmountable notoriety. His talent was undeniable from then on.

Legendary actor Sidney Poitier had a 71-year career that included iconic roles like “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “Uptown Saturday Night,” “To Sir With Love” and many more notable film roles.

He was so many things to so many people, father, husband, an icon, hero, mentor, fighter, trailblazer, civil rights activist, national treasure, landmark actor, director, one of a kind role model, and a regal man.

Poitier was born in Miami, Florida but was raised in the Bahamas, his family’s origin. At an early age, he moved to New York City and found work as a janitor at the American Negro Theater in exchange for acting classes. Thereafter, Poitier performed in the theater for several years before venturing into films. He made his film debut in “No Way Out,” a racially charged film.

Being in this film was the beginning of his career where his work throughout the 1950s and 1960s centered around race and social justice. His work addressed the reality of America’s bigotry.

Poitier went on to earn his first Academy Award nomination in 1959 for “The Defiant Ones,” a 1958 American adventure drama about two escaped prisoners, one black and one white who were shackled together.

His being nominated for an Academy Award was major to the Black community as he was the first Black Actor and it earned him a Golden Globe along with a BAFTA Award.

Thereafter Poitier went on to break more color barriers opening the doors for many actors to follow. In 1963, in the hit film “Lilies of the Field,” he became the first Black actor to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

At one point in his career, he was the only Black Actor working in starring and leading roles in Hollywood. His career took off and was non-stop for years.

Another film that made America stand up and look at Poitier’s undeniable talent was in the film, “In the Heat of the Night,” similarly to “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” in 1967.

The latter film had Americans in an uproar regarding this interracial romance comedy, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Thereafter more notable films included, “They Call Me Mister Tibbs,” and “Uptown Saturday Night.”

Barack Obama paid Tribute to Sidney Poitier: “Epitomized Dignity And Grace.” President Barack Obama paid tribute to Sidney Poiter upon his death calling him a singular talent who “epitomized dignity and grace.”

In the above photo, in 2009, President Obama awarded Sir Sidney Poitier the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, for his artistic and humanitarian achievements.

Also, Sir Poitier wrote two autobiographies, “This Life,” in 1980, as it detailed his humble childhood and his unstable personal romantic life. This was followed by more of his works, “The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography” (2007) and “Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter” (2008).

In conclusion, the world has lost a great humanitarian, trailblazer, an actor is a class all by himself, will surely be missed. R.I.P. Sir Poiter.

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