The legendary actor, and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier has died at the age of 94, according to a report.
The news of his passage broke on several Bahamian news outlets. Poitier, also a director and respected humanitarian died Thursday , January 6.
The talented actor was known for his roles in classic films including “To Sir With Love,” “In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”
Sidney was acknowledged globally for his iconic roles as a trendsetter for his peers and also to generations of Black performers who succeeded his time.
Born in Miami, Florida, in 1927, Poitier was a Hollywood icon and legend who helped pave the way for Black people in the entertainment industry. He was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, receiving the honor in 1964 for his performance in Lilies of the Field. The Academy bestowed a second honorary award to the actor in 2001.
Early in his career, the Bahamian-American helped break down color barriers and was committed to bringing noble, intelligent portrayals of Black people to the forefront. He opened up the possibility of bigger and better roles for Black actors and championed for social justice throughout his life.
Being the first Black actor to win an Oscar in the Best Actor category made him a Caribbean-American superstar. He landed roles outside of the many stereotypical ones that many Black actors were typically offered
His cause of death was unknown and no statement from his family has been made public yet.
