Sidney Poitier: Biography in Details
Who is Sidney Poitier?
Sidney Poiter was s an Academy Award winner for Best Actor for his role in “Lilies of the Field.”
Besides the actor, he is also a director, author, and diplomat.
He was the first African-American actor to win Oscar.
He was a Bahamian-American actor who served as an ambassador of the Bahamas to Japan from 1997 to 2007.
Further, he starred in 3 box office hit movies of 1967 which are “To Sir”, “with Love; In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”.
Sidney Poitier was often regarded as one of the gems of classic Hollywood cinema.
Sidney Poitier’s early life, childhood, and education
Sidney Poitier was born Sir Sidney Poiter to mother Evelyn and father Reginald James Poitier on February 20, 1927.
His parents were poor Bahamian farmers who lived on Cat Island and used to sell tomatoes in Miami.
Sidney Poitier was born in Miami when his parents were there to sell off their tomatoes.
His ethnicity is Afro-Bahamian.
In spite of being born in Miami, he grew up back in the Bahamas, then a British Crown colony.
Sidney Poitier was raised a Roman Catholic after his family moved to Nassau at the age of 10.
Sidney Poitier lived with his brother when he was 15.
A year later, he shifted to New York City and did different jobs until he lied his age and joined the Army during World War II in 1943.
He also worked as a mental hospital attendant until he was selected to perform at the American Negro Theatre.
What caused Sidney Poitier’s death?
At the age of 94, Sidney Poitier passed away at his residence in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2022. The Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell, confirmed his death.
Cardiopulmonary failure was reported as the cause of his death.
Sidney Poitier’s career, profession
Sidney’s theatre performances at the American Negro Theatre weren’t appreciated by the audiences after which he tried to pursue his career in movies.
Sidney Poitier appeared in his first film in 1947 named “Sepia Cinderella” in an extra role.
Sidney Poitier gave an amazing performance in films like “Edge of the City”, “The Defiant Ones”, “Porgy and Bess” and so on for which he was nominated for multiple awards.
Poitier’s fame and popularity rose to a peak when his breakthrough portrayal of Homer Smith in “Lilies of the Field” earned him “An academy Award for Best Actor”, and “Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama” and “Silver Bear for Best Actor”.
Sidney Poitier debuted as a director in 1972 in the movie “Buck and the Preacher”.
He is also a diplomat and has served as an ambassador of the Bahamas to Japan from 1997 to 2007.
Poitier was awarded the “Presidential Medal of Freedom” which is the United States’ highest civilian honor by former President of U.S. Barack Obama on August 12, 2009.
Salary, net worth
His net worth was estimated to be $20 million. His salary is unknown.
Sidney Poitier’s rumors, controversy
Recently, the death rumor Sidney had covered the Facebook walls with sad and grieving comments/messages.
Fortunately, this was just another internet hoax.
Body Measurement
Sidney Poitier had a height of 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 85 kg.
He had salt and pepper hair color and dark brown eye color. His dress size and shoe size are unknown.
Social Media Profile
Sidney Poitier was not active on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
Sidney Poitier’s Anniversary Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | January | Tuesday |
| 2025 | January | Thursday |
| 2026 | January | Friday |
| 2027 | January | Saturday |
| 2028 | January | Sunday |
Sidney Poitier’s Birthday Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | February | Tuesday |
| 2025 | February | Thursday |
| 2026 | February | Friday |
| 2027 | February | Saturday |
| 2028 | February | Sunday |