Black History Month Faces and Places: Sidney Poitier

Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 3:08 am
By: Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com


The handsome, distinguished, Academy Award-winning Sidney Poitier didn’t seem destined for greatness at an early age.

In fact, the young Poitier was a juvenile delinquent, sent to live with his brother in Florida after a series of run-ins in the Bahamas.

Born Feb. 20, 1927, Poitier was born prematurely in Miami when his parents were visiting the mainland. He grew up in the Bahamas until he was sent to live with his brother. Once in the U.S., he has said, he began to have firsthand experiences with racism, American style. Those experiences led to his decision to work to improve the lot of poor black people and to take on roles that were not demeaning to black people.

After a short stint in the U.S. Army, Poitier moved to New York to pursue an acting career and became a student at the American Negro Theater, developing a career on the stage before turning to film in 1950.

Early on, Poitier was cast principally in supporting roles, but became an instant superstar after winning a Best Actor Oscar for his leading role in the 1963 film "Lilies of the Field," becoming the first black actor to do so. He also was the first black actor to place his autograph, hand and footprints in the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Developing a reputation as an actor who deliberately defied racial stereotyping, he created notable roles in "In the Heat of the Night," "The Defiant Ones" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and as Porgy in the film version of "Porgy and Bess."

During the 1970s, Poitier began directing and producing films, including the wildly successful "Stir Crazy," starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, which was the highest-grossing film directed by a black filmmaker until "Scary Movie," which was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans.

In 2001, Poitier received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his autobiographical book, "The Measure of a Man." In 2002, he received an honorary Oscar.

In 1974, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

Poitier’s first marriage to Juanita Hardy ended in divorce. The couple had four children. He later married actress Joanna Shimkus and had two children.

The actor, who has an honorary doctorate and is fluent in Russian, also has served as a non-resident Bahamian ambassador to Japan and to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.



Bookmark and Share


Please Login or Register to Rate this article



Please Login or Register to post comments on this article

  |   Read More Comments





 
The handsome, distinguished, Academy Award-winning Sidney Poitier didn’t seem destined for greatness at an early age. (AP)

MORE HEADLINES

Five Questions to Finish the Year Strong

There are just two months left in the year.

Read More


Can't Find the Hot New Toy? Blame the Economy

Robotic toy hamsters, the latest Barbie dolls and stylish boots are disappearing from store

Read More


Halloween Etiquette: Trick-or-Treat but be Polite

Trick-or-treaters beware: Manners count — even on Halloween.

Read More


5 Steps to Live Your Passion

Are you living your passion?  Or do you long for more fun, deeper

Read More


Is Your Life Stuck in a Rut? Start Dreaming Big

Do you dream big dreams or has your life settled into a predictable rut of kids, chores, work and routine?

Read More


Recession-Stung Stores Plan Old-Fashioned Holidays

Stores are turning back the clock, conjuring images of

Read More


3 Ways to Break Your Perfectionism Habit – And Why You Need to

Do you keep putting off goals because the timing isn’t just right? 

Read More


Need to Change? Turn Over a New Leaf for Fall

In some cultures, the beginning of fall is celebrated and viewed as a time to reflect on the winter to come.

Read More


Empower Yourself with a Reality Check!

The power to move forward by embracing what is.

Read More


Dear Tom: Our Locked Door Isn't Enough!

Should we tell our kids we need private time for sex? 

Read More


SimplyHired
Post a Job on Black America Web!



Web
blackamericaweb