Sidney Poitier, the renowned Hollywood actor, director and activist who commanded the screen, reshaped the culture and paved the way for countless other Black actors with stirring performances in classics such as “In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” has died, a source close to the family told NBC News on Friday.In a groundbreaking film career that spanned decades, Poitier established himself as one of the finest performers in America.
Poitier was born prematurely Feb. 20, 1927, in Miami, to Bahamian parents while they were on vacation in the United States. He grew up in the Bahamas, spending his early years around his father’s tomato farm on Cat Island before the family relocated to Nassau. The teenage Poitier returned to the U.S., where he enlisted in the U.S. Army and briefly served in a medical unit.
“The Defiant Ones” opened up exciting career opportunities for Poitier. He drew praise as the crippled beggar Porgy in Otto Preminger’s musical “Porgy and Bess” , adapted from the George Gershwin opera, and the determined Walter Lee Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun” , adapted from the Lorraine Hansberry play.
“A Patch of Blue,” released in 1965, was a pathbreaking portrait of the relationship between Poitier’s educated office worker and Elizabeth Hartman’s blind white woman. The film further established him as one of the key leading men in Hollywood. In the early 1970s, Poitier went behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with the Western “Buck and the Preacher” casting himself alongside Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee. Poitier directed Belafonte again in “Uptown Saturday Night,” where they were joined by comedian Bill Cosby.
What a shame ! Rest In Power King
Morning_Joe First saw him in 'Lilies of the Field'.
RIP & Joy..Mr. Tibbs a true legend and icon.
tarynkincaid11 May his memory be a blessing unto the last generations.
RIP, Mr Poitier. You will always be Sir to me. ❤️ToSirWithLove
😥😥😥
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽R.I.P Condolences to the family Bahamas 🇧🇸 4Life🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
PrincessBravato He was an awesome actor!
A class act(or)
One of the absolute greats
‘In the heat of the night’, brilliant! And sadly hasn’t aged at all. Rod Steiger helps but Sid is outstanding. a must watch.
Rest in peace Mr. Poitier. 🕊️
🙏🏿✨🤴🏾✨🕊
Quintessential actor, humanitarian, gentleman and all around human being- we have lost a great one.
🙏
To Sir with Love. Rest in peace. 🙏🕯
Lillies of the Field is one of the best movies of all time. Check it out if you haven’t seen it.
BenStandig
God rest his soul. 🙏🏻😔
PabloZevallos THE GREATEST AMONG THE GREATS
In a groundbreaking film career that spanned decades, Poitier established himself as one of the finest performers in America. He made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best actor.
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