Sidney Poitier

@African American Men, Family and Childhood ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sidney Poitier is an actor, director and diplomat who was the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor Florida African American Actors Black Actors American New York University Film & Theater Personalities Actors Directors Writers Diplomats Pisces Celebrities Sir Sidney Poitier is an actor, director and diplomat best known for being the first black person to have been awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor. He won this award for his portrayal of Homer Smith, an African American worker in the film, â€˜Lilies of the Fieldâ€™. This was a very significant achievement in the 1960s when racism was rampant in the United States. Born to poor Bahamian farmer parents, he received little formal education. As a teenager he was turning towards street crime when his father sent him to the United States to start life anew. He received a huge cultural shock in New York where he witnessed widespread racism and chasm between the classes. After struggling to make ends meet as a dishwasher, he joined the American Negro Theater. Through his determination and hard work he soon became a much sought after theatre artist and soon stared receiving film offers. In his debut film â€˜No Way Outâ€™ he played a doctor who treats a white bigot. This role got him noticed and he received several offers. After establishing himself as a successful actor, he branched into direction as well. He was named as one of the Greatest Male Stars of All Time by the American Film Institute in 1999.

Personal Details

Birthday: February 20, 1927 Nationality: American Famous: African American Men, African American Actors, Black Actors, New York University, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, Writers, Diplomats City/State: Florida Spouses: Joanna Shimkus (m. 1976), Juanita Hardy (m. 1950â€“1965) Siblings: Cyril Poitier Known as: Sir Sidney Poitier Information Detail Birthday February 20, 1927 Nationality American Famous African American Men, African American Actors, Black Actors, New York University, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, Writers, Diplomats City/State Florida Spouses Joanna Shimkus (m. 1976), Juanita Hardy (m. 1950â€“1965) Siblings Cyril Poitier Known as Sir Sidney Poitier Childrens Sydney Tamiia Poitier Universities New York University New York University Tisch School of the Arts Stella Adler Studio of Acting Notable Alumnis New York University Birth Place Miami, Florida, U.S. Born Country United States Religion Deist Height 189cm Gender Male Father Reginald James Poitier Mother Evelyn Net Worth $25 million as of Jan 15,2017 Sun Sign Pisces Born in Miami, Florida, U.S.

Miami, Florida, U.S.

Sidney Poitier born at Unsplash Birth Place

His first marriage was to Juanita Hardy from 1950 to 1965. The couple had four daughters. Unsplash Personal Life

He married actress Joanna Shimkus in 1976 with whom he has two daughters. Unsplash Personal Life

He was born prematurely to Bahamian parents who were vacationing in Miami; his parents remained in Miami for three months to nurse the weak infant back to health. His parents, Reginald James Poitier and Evelyn were farmers. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He grew up in poverty and was showing signs of becoming delinquent. Concerned, his father sent him to live with his brother in New York. He worked as a dishwasher to make ends meet. He never received any formal education and was taught to read by a Jewish waiter who coached him after working hours. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He joined the American Negro Theater but struggled initially due to his inability to sing and his strong Bahamian accent. He trained hard for the next several months to overcome his weaknesses. Unsplash Career

He was given a leading role in the Broadway production, �€˜Lysistrata�€™. His performance was highly acclaimed and he went on to become a popular stage actor. He soon started receiving offers for films. Unsplash Career

In 1950 he acted in the film �€˜No Way Out�€™ in which he portrayed a doctor, Dr. Luther Brooks who tends to a white racist patient who dies in the midst of a medical procedure. The role got him rave reviews. Unsplash Career

After playing supporting roles in several other films during the early 1950s, he got his breakthrough role in the 1955 social commentary, �€˜Blackboard Jungle�€™, a film based on a novel of the same name by Evan Hunter. Poitier played a student who engages in anti-social behavior. Unsplash Career

In 1958 he played Noah Cullen, an escaped prisoner, in the movie �€˜The Defiant Ones�€™. The plot revolves around two escaped prisoners, one black and one white who are shackled together and must co-operate in order to survive. Poitier received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Unsplash Career

He is best known for his Academy Award winning performance in �€˜Lilies of the Field�€™ in which he played an itinerant worker who helps a group of nuns to build a new chapel. He received several awards for this highly appreciated role. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	February 20, 1927
Nationality	American
Famous	African American Men, African American Actors, Black Actors, New York University, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, Writers, Diplomats
City/State	Florida
Spouses	Joanna Shimkus (m. 1976), Juanita Hardy (m. 1950â€“1965)
Siblings	Cyril Poitier
Known as	Sir Sidney Poitier
Childrens	Sydney Tamiia Poitier
Universities	New York University New York University Tisch School of the Arts Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Notable Alumnis	New York University
Birth Place	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Born Country	United States
Religion	Deist
Height	189cm
Gender	Male
Father	Reginald James Poitier
Mother	Evelyn
Net Worth	$25 million as of Jan 15,2017
Sun Sign	Pisces
Born in	Miami, Florida, U.S.

Sidney Poitier

American

Feb 20, 1927

Biography

Personal Details

Miami, Florida, U.S.