Sidney Poitier: First Black Winner of the Best Actor Oscar Dies at 94

Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, director, activist and diplomat, and the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, he was raised in the Bahamas and became a groundbreaking leading man whose dignity on screen helped change how Black characters were portrayed in Hollywood.

Poitier became the first Black actor nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for The Defiant Ones in 1958, and he won the award for Lilies of the Field in 1964. He made his directorial debut with Buck and the Preacher in 1972 and later directed hits such as Stir Crazy. President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Poitier married Juanita Hardy in 1950, with whom he had four daughters, and Joanna Shimkus in 1976, with whom he had two daughters, including actress Sydney Tamiia Poitier. He also served as the Bahamas' ambassador to Japan. He died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2022, at age 94. Remembered for his grace and his courage, he opened doors for generations of performers.

Achievements: First Black actor nominated for Best Actor (1958), first Black man to win Best Actor for Lilies of the Field (1964), directed Buck and the Preacher (1972), awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009).

Birth: February 20, 1927 - Miami, Florida.

Profession: Actor, film director, activist and diplomat.

Interesting Facts: He was born prematurely in Miami while his parents were there on a business trip, which gave him American citizenship although he grew up in the Bahamas. At 16 he lied about his age to join the U.S. Army.