Full History Of Sidney Poitier In Timeline From 1927

February 20, 1927: Sidney Poitier's Birth

On February 20, 1927, Sidney Poitier was born. He later became a Bahamian-American actor, film director, activist, and diplomat.

1940: Hattie McDaniel Nomination

In 1940, Hattie McDaniel was nominated for an Academy Award.

1942: Release of Roxie Hart

In 1942, William Wellman previously directed the famous Roxie Hart, a film that predates Sidney Poitier's association with Wellman.

1942: Moved to Miami

In 1942, at the age of fifteen, Sidney Poitier was sent to Miami to live with his brother's family.

November 1943: Enlistment in the Army

In November 1943, Sidney Poitier enlisted in the Army during World War II, falsely stating his age.

December 1944: Discharge from the Army

In December 1944, Sidney Poitier received a discharge from the Army under Section VIII of Army regulation 615–360 after feigning mental illness and confessing it to a psychiatrist.

1947: Founding Member of the Committee for the Negro in the Arts

In 1947, Sidney Poitier was a founding member of the Committee for the Negro in the Arts (CNA).

1947: Release of Magic Town

In 1947, William Wellman previously directed the film Magic Town, a film that predates Sidney Poitier's association with Wellman.

1949: Choice between Stage and Film

In late 1949, Sidney Poitier faced a decision between leading roles on stage and an offer to work in the film No Way Out.

April 29, 1950: Married Juanita Hardy

On April 29, 1950, Sidney Poitier married Juanita Hardy, his first wife.

1950: Performance in No Way Out

In 1950, Sidney Poitier's performance in No Way Out garnered attention and led to more prominent roles.

1951: Filming Cry, the Beloved Country in South Africa

In 1951, Sidney Poitier traveled to South Africa with Canada Lee to star in the film version of Cry, the Beloved Country.

1952: Narrator for Negro History Festival

In 1952, Sidney Poitier served as one of the narrators in a pageant written by Alice Childress and Lorraine Hansberry for the Negro History Festival.

1954: Dorothy Dandridge Nomination

In 1954, Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for an Academy Award.

1954: Association Leading to Blacklisting

In 1954, Sidney Poitier's associations led to the blacklisting of Alfred Palca, the writer and producer of Go Man Go.

1955: Breakthrough Role in Blackboard Jungle

In 1955, Sidney Poitier landed his breakthrough film role as a high school student in the film Blackboard Jungle.

1955: Role in Blackboard Jungle

In 1955, Sidney Poitier played Gregory W. Miller in Blackboard Jungle, continuing his distinction in film roles.

1955: Refusal to Sign Loyalty Oath

In 1955, Sidney Poitier refused to sign a loyalty oath in connection with his prospective role in Blackboard Jungle.

1956: Moved to Mount Vernon, NY

In 1956, Sidney Poitier became a resident of Mount Vernon in Westchester County, New York.

1956: Working on Good-bye, My Lady

In 1956, Sidney Poitier enjoyed working with director William Wellman on Good-bye, My Lady.

1957: Performance in Edge of the City

In 1957, Sidney Poitier's performance in Edge of the City was critically acclaimed and propelled him towards stardom.

1958: First Black Male Nominee for Academy Award

In 1958, Sidney Poitier became the first Black male actor to be nominated for an Academy Award.

1958: Academy Award Nomination for The Defiant Ones

In 1958, Sidney Poitier received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for The Defiant Ones, marking the first time an African American was nominated in a lead role. Poitier also won the Silver Bear for Best Actor for that performance.

1958: Starring in The Defiant Ones

In 1958, Sidney Poitier starred alongside Tony Curtis in The Defiant Ones, receiving critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination, marking him as the first African-American actor nominated in a lead role.

1959: A Raisin in the Sun and Porgy and Bess

In 1959, Sidney Poitier acted in the first production of A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway and starred in the film adaptation of Porgy and Bess.

1959: Affair with Diahann Carroll

In 1959, Sidney Poitier began a nine-year affair with actress Diahann Carroll.

1959: Starring in Porgy and Bess

In 1959, Sidney Poitier starred in Porgy and Bess, continuing his trend of playing strong leading African American male roles.

1960: Golden Globe Nomination

In 1960, Sidney Poitier received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in Porgy and Bess.

1961: Starring in A Raisin in the Sun

In 1961, Sidney Poitier starred in A Raisin in the Sun, portraying another strong leading African American male role.

1961: Starred in film adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun and Paris Blues

In 1961, Sidney Poitier starred in the film adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun and Paris Blues alongside Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Louis Armstrong, and Diahann Carroll. For A Raisin in the Sun, Poitier received another Golden Globe Award nomination.

1963: Won Best Actor Oscar

In 1963, Sidney Poitier became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in "Lilies of the Field".

1963: Leading Role in Lilies of the Field

In 1963, Sidney Poitier played the leading role in the film "Lilies of the Field", a role that would earn him significant recognition and awards.

1963: Won Academy Award for Lilies of the Field

In 1963, Sidney Poitier starred in Lilies of the Field. For this role, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor and became the first African-American to win the award in a leading role.

1964: Academy Award Win

In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first African-American actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.

1964: Poitier Meets Plato album

In 1964, Sidney Poitier recorded an album with the composer Fred Katz called Poitier Meets Plato, in which Poitier recites passages from Plato's writings.

1964: Academy Award and Golden Globe Win for Lilies of the Field

In 1964, Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field (1963).

1965: Divorced Juanita Hardy

In 1965, Sidney Poitier and Juanita Hardy divorced.

1965: Roles in various films

In 1965, Sidney Poitier performed in The Bedford Incident, The Greatest Story Ever Told, and A Patch of Blue.

1965: Starring in A Patch of Blue

In 1965, Sidney Poitier starred in A Patch of Blue, further solidifying his presence in prominent roles.

1966: Turned down Othello role

In 1966, Sidney Poitier turned down an opportunity to play the lead in an NBC television production of Othello, due to concerns about being typecast and wanting to set a positive example.

June 12, 1967: Interracial marriage legality landmark

On June 12, 1967, six months before the release of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, interracial marriage was still illegal in 17 states until this date.

1967: Starring in films tackling race relations

In 1967, Sidney Poitier acted in three films - To Sir, with Love; Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and In the Heat of the Night - that addressed race and race relations.

1967: Starring in In the Heat of the Night

In 1967, Sidney Poitier played Virgil Tibbs in In the Heat of the Night, receiving critical acclaim and Golden Globe and British Academy Film Award nominations.

1967: Commercial peak of career

In 1967, Sidney Poitier reached the commercial peak of his career, starring in three popular films: To Sir, with Love, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

1969: Starred in The Lost Man

In 1969, Sidney Poitier starred in "The Lost Man" with Joanna Shimkus.

1970: Sequel: They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

In 1970, Sidney Poitier's character Virgil Tibbs, from In the Heat of the Night, was the subject of the sequel They Call Me Mister Tibbs!.

1971: Taking the Helm on Buck and the Preacher

In 1971, Sidney Poitier found himself taking the directorial helm from Joseph Sargent on Buck and the Preacher, inspired by William Wellman's approach.

1971: Sequel: The Organization

In 1971, Sidney Poitier's character Virgil Tibbs, from In the Heat of the Night, was the subject of the sequel The Organization.

1972: Directorial Debut with Buck and the Preacher

In 1972, Sidney Poitier made his directorial debut with Buck and the Preacher.

1972: Directed Buck and the Preacher

In 1972, Sidney Poitier made his feature film directorial debut with the Western film Buck and the Preacher, also starring in the film.

1973: Directing A Warm December

In 1973, Sidney Poitier directed his second feature film, A Warm December.

1974: Directing Uptown Saturday Night

In 1974, Sidney Poitier directed the film Uptown Saturday Night.

1974: Uptown Saturday Night Release

In 1974, Sidney Poitier starred in and directed the financially successful comedy film "Uptown Saturday Night" alongside Bill Cosby and Harry Belafonte.

1974: Honorary Knighthood

In 1974, Sidney Poitier was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.

1974: Named Honorary Knight Commander

In 1974, Sidney Poitier was named an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

1975: Let's Do It Again Release

In 1975, Sidney Poitier starred in and directed the financially successful comedy film "Let's Do It Again" alongside Bill Cosby.

January 23, 1976: Married Joanna Shimkus

On January 23, 1976, Sidney Poitier married Joanna Shimkus, his second wife.

1977: A Piece of the Action Release

In 1977, Sidney Poitier starred in and directed the financially successful comedy film "A Piece of the Action" alongside Bill Cosby.

1980: Directing Stir Crazy

In 1980, Sidney Poitier directed the film Stir Crazy.

1980: Stir Crazy Release

In 1980, Sidney Poitier directed the successful comedy film "Stir Crazy", starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder.

1981: Received Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award

In 1981, Sidney Poitier received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.

1982: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award

In 1982, Sidney Poitier received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.

1983: Legacy of A Raisin in the Sun

In 1983, Frank Rich of The New York Times wrote that A Raisin in the Sun "changed American theater forever", reflecting its lasting impact since its original production in 1959 starring Sidney Poitier.

1985: Directed Fast Forward

In 1985, Sidney Poitier directed the film "Fast Forward".

1986: Gave Commencement Address at University of Miami

In 1986, Sidney Poitier gave the Commencement Address to the University of Miami graduating class and received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.

1988: Starred in Shoot to Kill

In 1988, Sidney Poitier starred in the film "Shoot to Kill" with Tom Berenger.

1988: Starring in Shoot to Kill

In 1988, Sidney Poitier starred in the film Shoot to Kill.

1990: Directed Ghost Dad

In 1990, Sidney Poitier reunited with Bill Cosby to direct him in the family comedy "Ghost Dad".

1990: Six Degrees of Separation Premiered

In 1990, The original play of Six Degrees of Separation premiered in New York. In the play a character claims to be the son of Sidney Poitier.

1991: Starred in Separate but Equal

In 1991, Sidney Poitier starred in the television movie "Separate but Equal", receiving an Emmy nomination for his work.

1992: Received AFI Life Achievement Award

In 1992, Sidney Poitier received the AFI Life Achievement Award.

1992: Starred in Sneakers

In 1992, Sidney Poitier starred in the film "Sneakers" alongside Robert Redford and Dan Aykroyd.

1992: Starring in Sneakers

In 1992, Sidney Poitier starred in the film Sneakers.

1993: Six Degrees of Separation Film Release

In 1993, the film of Six Degrees of Separation was released, featuring a character who claims to be the son of Sidney Poitier.

1994: Received Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1994, Sidney Poitier received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1995: Joined Disney's Board of Directors

In 1995, Sidney Poitier became a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company.

1995: Kennedy Center Honor

In 1995, Sidney Poitier received the Kennedy Center Honor.

1995: Received Kennedy Center Honor

In 1995, Sidney Poitier received the Kennedy Center Honor.

1996: Starred in To Sir, with Love II

In 1996, Sidney Poitier starred in the television movie "To Sir, with Love II".

April 1997: Appointed Ambassador to Japan

In April 1997, Sidney Poitier was appointed ambassador from the Bahamas to Japan.

1997: Bahamian Ambassador to Japan

In 1997, Sidney Poitier became the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan, a role he held until 2007.

1997: Co-starred in The Jackal

In 1997, Sidney Poitier co-starred in the film "The Jackal" with Richard Gere and Bruce Willis.

1997: Starred in Mandela and de Klerk

In 1997, Sidney Poitier starred in the television movie "Mandela and de Klerk", receiving an Emmy nomination for his work.

1999: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award

In 1999, Sidney Poitier received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

1999: Starred in The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn

In 1999, Sidney Poitier starred in the television movie "The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn".

1999: AFI Recognition

In 1999, Sidney Poitier was ranked among the "American Film Institute's 100 Stars".

2001: Received Honorary Academy Award

In 2001, Sidney Poitier received the Academy Honorary Award for his lifetime achievement in film.

2001: Honorary Academy Award

In 2001, Sidney Poitier received the Honorary Academy Award for his overall contribution to American cinema.

2001: Won Grammy Award

In 2001, Sidney Poitier won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.

2002: Honorary Academy Award

In 2002, Sidney Poitier received the Honorary Academy Award.

2002: Appointed Ambassador to UNESCO

In 2002, Sidney Poitier was concurrently appointed the ambassador of the Bahamas to UNESCO.

2002: Denzel Washington Wins Oscar

In 2002, during the Academy Awards ceremony, Denzel Washington saluted Sidney Poitier in his Best Actor victory speech, acknowledging Poitier's influence.

2002: Denzel Washington's Tribute

In 2002, while presenting Sidney Poitier the Honorary Academy Award, Denzel Washington acknowledged Poitier's influence on African American actors.

2003: End of term at Disney

Sidney Poitier finished his term at The Walt Disney Company's board of directors in 2003.

2007: End of Ambassadorship

In 2007, Sidney Poitier concluded his service as the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan, a role he began in 1997.

2007: End of Ambassadorial Roles

In 2007, Sidney Poitier's terms as ambassador from the Bahamas to Japan and UNESCO concluded.

2009: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2009, Sidney Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

2009: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2009, Sidney Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.

2012: Became Oldest Living Best Actor Winner

In 2012, with the death of Ernest Borgnine, Sidney Poitier became the oldest living recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor.

2013: Authored Montaro Caine

In 2013, Sidney Poitier wrote the novel "Montaro Caine".

March 2, 2014: Presented at Academy Awards

On March 2, 2014, Sidney Poitier appeared with Angelina Jolie at the 86th Academy Awards to present the Best Director Award and was thanked for his contributions.

2016: Received BAFTA Fellowship

In 2016, Sidney Poitier received the BAFTA Fellowship.

2016: BAFTA Fellowship

In 2016, Sidney Poitier was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship for outstanding lifetime achievement in film.

September 2019: Family Affected by Hurricane Dorian

In September 2019, during Hurricane Dorian, Sidney Poitier's family had 23 missing relatives in the Bahamas.

2021: Academy Museum Dedication

In 2021, the academy dedicated the lobby of the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles as the "Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby" in his honor.

January 6, 2022: Death of Sidney Poitier

On January 6, 2022, Sidney Poitier passed away. He was a celebrated actor, director, activist, and diplomat.

January 19, 2022: Broadway Tribute

On January 19, 2022, Broadway theaters dimmed their lights at 7:45 pm ET as a tribute to Sidney Poitier.

September 23, 2022: Sidney Documentary Release

On September 23, 2022, "Sidney", a documentary film about Poitier's life and legacy by Reginald Hudlin, was released.

2022: Inducted into National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum

In 2022, Sidney Poitier was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.

2022: Ebertfest Dedicated to Poitier

In 2022, the Ebertfest film festival announced it would be dedicating its event to the memory of Sidney Poitier and Gilbert Gottfried.

History of Sidney Poitier in Timeline