Sidney Poitier has passed away at the age of 94.
His death was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, however, no cause of death has been reported.
The beloved actor and icon began his acting career in 1949 and was best known for his roles in “The Defiant Ones” “A Raisin in the Sun”, and “Lilies of the Field”(1963) which earned him his first Oscar win for the film and became the first African American man to win for a leading role.
Not only was Poitier an active on stage and on-screen actor, but he was also a major part of the Civil Rights movement. Two of his roles in the films. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “To Sir, with Love,” were “the landmarks in helping to break down some barriers between blacks and whites,” according to his IMDb page.
Sidney Poitier’s career spanned nearly 70 years. Many of his friends, and fans paid their tribute to the legendary actor.
Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.
(📷Sam Falk/NYT) pic.twitter.com/5ZaKxxPdxw
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier starred in “In the Heat of the Night,” “To Sir, with Love,” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” in the same year — 1967. Legend. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/8IUZUw8sJ2
— Side With Benefits (@KirkWrites79) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier has passed away.
The pioneering actor, filmmaker and director was 94 years old.
Rest in power 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/RhFtcHJqbN
— Andscape (@andscape) January 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/nadine_writes/status/1479468104090533889?s=21
The moment Sidney Poitier became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 1964. pic.twitter.com/5cqCINkQ7K
— Joyce Philippe (@JoyceMeetsWorld) January 7, 2022
Thank you Sir Sidney Poitier for your brilliance. 🥀 pic.twitter.com/pwvnIzzytn
— Ayanna P. (@AyannaPrescod) January 7, 2022
We will keep Sidney Poitier’s loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.