Sidney Poitier — who turns 94 on Feb. 20 — has received virtually every showbiz award possible: An Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, plus Life Achievement Awards from AFI, BAFTA, NAACP Image Awards, SAG and Kennedy Center Honors, to name a few. Though the kudos have been plentiful, they aren’t enough to convey the depth of his lasting impact on the entertainment industry, starting with being the first Black winner of best actor Oscar for the 1963 film “Lilies of the Field.”
The film industry’s lack of diversity is still an issue in the 21st century. But diversity was nearly non-existent when Poitier made his film debut in the 1950 “No Way Out.” There had been other Black actors in lead film roles, including James Edwards and Harry Belafonte, but they were extremely rare. And Poitier captured the public imagination like no one before him, with his soft but powerful voice and, crucially, his integrity.
The film industry’s lack of diversity is still an issue in the 21st century. But diversity was nearly non-existent when Poitier made his film debut in the 1950 “No Way Out.” There had been other Black actors in lead film roles, including James Edwards and Harry Belafonte, but they were extremely rare. And Poitier captured the public imagination like no one before him, with his soft but powerful voice and, crucially, his integrity.
- 2/20/2021
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
Ayesha Harris Signs With Innovative Artists
- 4/17/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Late Night With The Devil’ Possesses Week 2; Duo Of Indian Films Hits Top Ten – Specialty Box Office
- 3/31/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Liam Neeson & Sean Penn Pics Stomp Into Monster Mashup Weekend – Specialty Preview
- 3/29/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Tessa Thompson Helpline Volunteer One-Hander ‘The Listener’ Is a Character Drama So Quiet It Cuts Through the Noise
- 4/20/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Naomi Watts and Reese Witherspoon Set for Nicole Kidman’s AFI Tribute
- 4/18/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Stranger’ Recut Trailer: Dane DeHaan and Maika Monroe Are in a Rideshare from Hell
- 4/11/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Nicole Kidman Was ‘Like a Second Director’ on ‘To Die For,’ Says Gus Van Sant
- 4/24/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Why Kirstie Alley's Cheers Casting Had Network Execs Hesitant
- 4/20/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Director John Ford Is Focus of Next TCM ‘Plot Thickens’ Podcast
- 4/18/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Casts Thandiwe Newton (Exclusive)
- 4/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Terry Carter, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘McCloud’ Actor, Dies at 95
- 4/23/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - Film News
Billie Eilish Says Upcoming Album ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ Is Like Returning “to the Girl That I Was”
- 4/24/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Podcast Workers File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against iHeartMedia
- 4/24/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
AMC Theatres Building Distribution Team With New VP Hire After ‘Eras Tour,’ ‘Renaissance’ Box Office Success
- 4/24/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Julio Torres’s “Problemista” Is Proof That The US Immigration System is a Relentless Maze
- 4/24/2024
- by Johanna Ferreira
- Popsugar.com
Chuwi Is the Voice of a New Puerto Rican Generation
- 4/23/2024
- by Juan Arroyo
- Popsugar.com
Camila Mendes on Why We Need More Latine Representation in Rom-Coms
- 4/22/2024
- by Brenda Barrientos
- Popsugar.com
Saraciea Fennell: "The Black Girl Survives in This One" Is the Representation I Didn't See in Horror Books
- 4/22/2024
- by Saraciea Fennell
- Popsugar.com
Tell Me Más: Bodine Talks New Album "Quemo Lento" and Growing From Hardships
- 4/22/2024
- by Juan Arroyo
- Popsugar.com
Brian Helgeland Shares Details On David Fincher’s Unmade ‘Cleopatra’ Film Almost Starring Angelina Jolie
- 4/24/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
‘The Big Cigar’ Trailer: André Holland Goes Undercover in Hollywood
- 4/24/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Cormac McCarthy’s ‘Blood Meridian’ Being Adapted by ‘Gladiator’ Writer John Logan
- 4/24/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
‘Jim Henson Idea Man’ Trailer: Ron Howard Directs New Doc About Beloved ‘Muppets’ & ‘Sesame Street’ Puppet Genius
- 4/24/2024
- by Valerie Thompson
- The Playlist
ID Sets Nick and Aaron Carter Docuseries as Its ‘Quiet on Set’ Follow-up — Watch the Trailer
- 4/24/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Brian Helgeland Shares Details On David Fincher’s Unmade ‘Cleopatra’ Film Almost Starring Angelina Jolie
- 4/24/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Netflix's Best New Show Teaches Us A Hard Lesson About The Streamer's Worst Habits
- 4/24/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
John Logan boards ‘Blood Meridian’ adaptation for New Regency
- 4/24/2024
- ScreenDaily
AMC Theatres Building Distribution Team With New VP Hire After ‘Eras Tour,’ ‘Renaissance’ Box Office Success
- 4/24/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
‘The Big Cigar’ Trailer: André Holland Goes Undercover in Hollywood
- 4/24/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Casts Thandiwe Newton (Exclusive)
- 4/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Terry Carter, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘McCloud’ Actor, Dies at 95
- 4/23/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - Film News
Tina Fey and Steve Carell Will Weather The Four Seasons in New Comedy Series
- 4/24/2024
- by Jean Bentley
- Tudum - Netflix
‘The Big Cigar’ Trailer: André Holland Goes Undercover in Hollywood
- 4/24/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire Television
Actors Access, a Top Casting Site, Hit With Class Action Lawsuit
- 4/24/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - TV News