Sidney Poitier dies aged 94
Sidney Poitier has died at the age of 94.
Poitier's death was announced earlier today (January 7th). His cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Born in Miami in 1927, Poitier grew up in the Bahamas before moving to the US in the late 1940s to pursue an acting career.
After working in theatre, his big-screen debut came in the film No Way Out where he worked for director Darryl F. Zanuck. From there, he worked steadily in films with key roles in Blackboard Jungle, The Defiant Ones and Porgy and Bess.
In 1964, he became the first Black man to be awarded Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role in Lilies of the Field. He continued to work right up the late 1990s with his last major role coming in the 1997 thriller The Jackal.
Over the course of his illustrious film career, Poitier was nominated for a further two Oscars, 10 Golden Globes and six BAFTAs. He also worked as a director and a key activist.
Tributes have been paid to Poitier from across the film industry and a selection are included below:
Sidney Poitier. An absolute legend. One of the greats. pic.twitter.com/jd2Xd7vmIJ
— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) January 7, 2022
(📷Sam Falk/NYT) pic.twitter.com/5ZaKxxPdxw
"If I’m remembered for having done a few good things, and if my presence here has sparked some good energies, that’s plenty."
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) January 7, 2022
Remembering Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. pic.twitter.com/G05fZ8S5v3
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sidney Poitier, the legendary actor, director and diplomat who led a life of remarkable achievements, both on-screen and off. pic.twitter.com/g0M2wfmq2M
— BFI (@BFI) January 7, 2022
