Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian and American actor, film director, and diplomat. He made history in 1964 by becoming the first Black actor and the first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. His career was decorated with numerous accolades including two competitive Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, and nominations for two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. In 1999, he was recognized as one of the 'American Film Institute's 100 Stars.' Poitier was among the last surviving stars from Hollywood's Golden Age.
April 29, 1950: Marriage to Juanita Hardy
Sidney Poitier married Juanita Hardy on April 29, 1950.
1956: Residence in Mount Vernon, New York
Poitier became a resident of Mount Vernon, New York in 1956.
1959: Beginning of Relationship with Diahann Carroll
In 1959, Poitier began a nine-year relationship with actress Diahann Carroll.
1961: Golden Globe Nomination and Parisian Blues
In 1961, Sidney Poitier received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in the film adaptation of 'A Raisin in the Sun.' That same year, he also starred in 'Paris Blues,' a film addressing racism by contrasting American prejudice with Paris's acceptance of Black people.
1963: Academy Award for Best Actor
Sidney Poitier made history in 1963 by becoming the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Lilies of the Field".
1963: Historic Oscar Win for 'Lilies of the Field'
Sidney Poitier made history in 1963 when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 'Lilies of the Field,' becoming the first Black man to receive this honor. However, his joy was tempered by concerns that the award was more of a symbolic gesture by the industry than a true recognition of his talent.
1964: 'Poitier Meets Plato' Album Release
Sidney Poitier collaborated with composer Fred Katz in 1964 to create an album titled 'Poitier Meets Plato,' where Poitier recited excerpts from Plato's philosophical works.
1965: Divorce from Juanita Hardy
Poitier and Juanita Hardy divorced in 1965 after 15 years of marriage.
1965: Film Appearances in 'The Bedford Incident,' 'The Greatest Story Ever Told,' and 'A Patch of Blue'
Sidney Poitier appeared in three films in 1965: the Cold War drama 'The Bedford Incident,' the biblical epic 'The Greatest Story Ever Told,' and the drama 'A Patch of Blue.'
1966: Navigating Stereotypes and Seeking Challenging Roles
By 1966, Sidney Poitier faced criticism for often portraying idealized African-American characters, a typecasting he was aware of and conflicted by. While desiring more diverse roles, he also felt a responsibility to challenge stereotypes, especially as a prominent Black actor during a time of limited representation. He declined the lead role in an NBC production of 'Othello' that year, demonstrating his commitment to portraying nuanced and multifaceted characters.
June 12, 1967: Landmark Interracial Romance in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'
Released six months after interracial marriage became legal in 17 US states, 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' featured Sidney Poitier in an interracial relationship, a rarity in cinema at the time. The film was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its positive portrayal of interracial love. Poitier's role in this film required him to audition for Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, a testament to their stature in Hollywood.
1967: Career Peak
Sidney Poitier's career reached its commercial peak in 1967 with the release of three highly successful films: 'To Sir, with Love,' 'In the Heat of the Night,' and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.'
1967: Socially Conscious Films Address Racial Divide
Sidney Poitier starred in three successful films in 1967 that subtly addressed the racial divide: 'To Sir, with Love,' 'In the Heat of the Night,' and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.' His performance in 'To Sir, with Love,' where he played a teacher in a racially diverse London school, earned him particular acclaim.
1967: Critical Acclaim for 'In the Heat of the Night'
Sidney Poitier received critical acclaim in 1967 for his role as Virgil Tibbs, a detective investigating a murder in the racially charged South, in the film 'In the Heat of the Night.' His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award and a British Academy Film Award nomination.
1969: Meeting Joanna Shimkus on Set of "The Lost Man"
In 1969, Poitier starred alongside Joanna Shimkus in the film "The Lost Man", which is where they met.
1970: Return of Virgil Tibbs in 'They Call Me Mister Tibbs!'
Sidney Poitier reprised his role as the insightful detective Virgil Tibbs in the 1970 sequel, 'They Call Me Mister Tibbs!,' a testament to the character's popularity and impact.
1971: 'The Organization' Continues the Tibbs Legacy
The character of Virgil Tibbs returned in 1971 with 'The Organization,' marking the third installment in the film series and showcasing the enduring appeal of Poitier's portrayal.
1972: Directorial Debut with 'Buck and the Preacher'
Sidney Poitier stepped behind the camera in 1972, making his directorial debut with the Western 'Buck and the Preacher.' He also starred in the film, demonstrating his versatility and expanding his creative influence within the industry.
1974: 'Uptown Saturday Night' Kicks Off a String of Successful Comedies
Collaborating with Bill Cosby and Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier directed and starred in the hit comedy 'Uptown Saturday Night' in 1974, marking his successful foray into comedic filmmaking.
1975: Teaming Up with Cosby Again for 'Let's Do It Again'
Sidney Poitier continued his successful partnership with Bill Cosby in the 1975 comedy 'Let's Do It Again,' directing and starring in the film.
January 23, 1976: Marriage to Joanna Shimkus
Poitier married actress Joanna Shimkus on January 23, 1976, after they starred together in "The Lost Man".
1977: 'A Piece of the Action' Completes the Cosby Trilogy
The third installment in his comedic trilogy with Bill Cosby, 'A Piece of the Action,' was released in 1977. Sidney Poitier directed and starred in this film, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and bankable filmmaker.
1980: Record-Breaking Success with 'Stir Crazy'
Sidney Poitier directed the comedy 'Stir Crazy' in 1980, starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder. The film became a massive hit, holding the record for the highest-grossing film by a Black director for many years.
1981: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
He was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards in 1981.
1985: Directing 'Fast Forward'
In 1985, Sidney Poitier directed 'Fast Forward,' further expanding his filmography as a director.
1988: Starring in 'Shoot to Kill'
Sidney Poitier starred alongside Tom Berenger in the action thriller 'Shoot to Kill' in 1988.
1990: Reuniting with Cosby for 'Ghost Dad'
Sidney Poitier directed Bill Cosby in the family comedy 'Ghost Dad' in 1990, marking another collaboration between the two actors.
1990: Premiere of "Six Degrees of Separation" Play
The play "Six Degrees of Separation", which was inspired in part by Sidney Poitier and his impact on society, premiered in New York in 1990.
1991: Emmy-Nominated Performance in 'Separate but Equal'
Sidney Poitier garnered critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for his performance in the 1991 television movie 'Separate but Equal.' He also received a Golden Globe nomination for this role.
1992: Joining the Ensemble Cast of 'Sneakers'
In 1992, Sidney Poitier joined an all-star cast, including Robert Redford and Dan Aykroyd, for the caper film 'Sneakers.'
1992: AFI Life Achievement Award
The American Film Institute awarded Poitier with the Life Achievement Award in 1992.
1993: Release of "Six Degrees of Separation" Film
The film adaptation of "Six Degrees of Separation", was released in 1993, starring Will Smith, Stockard Channing, and Donald Sutherland.
1994: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Poitier received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
1996: Revisiting a Classic in 'To Sir, with Love II'
Sidney Poitier reprised his role in the 1996 television movie 'To Sir, with Love II,' a sequel to his iconic 1967 film.
1997: 'Mandela and de Klerk' Earns Poitier Emmy Nod
Sidney Poitier received an Emmy nomination for his performance in the 1997 television movie 'Mandela and de Klerk.'
1997: 'The Jackal' Brings Together Poitier, Gere, and Willis
Sidney Poitier shared the screen with Richard Gere and Bruce Willis in the 1997 action thriller 'The Jackal.'
1999: Starring in 'The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn'
Sidney Poitier starred in the television movie 'The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn' in 1999.
2001: Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album
Sidney Poitier's contributions to the spoken word were recognized in 2001 with a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.
2001: Honorary Academy Award Recognizes Poitier's Legacy
In 2001, Sidney Poitier received an Honorary Academy Award, recognizing his significant and enduring contributions to American cinema.
2001: Honorary Academy Award
In 2001, Poitier received an Honorary Academy Award to recognize his lifetime achievements in the film industry.
2002: Denzel Washington's Tribute to Poitier at the Oscars
Denzel Washington, upon winning the Best Actor Oscar in 2002, paid tribute to Sidney Poitier, acknowledging him as a trailblazer and inspiration, further cementing Poitier's legacy as a role model for Black actors.
2012: Became Oldest Living Best Actor Oscar Winner
In 2012, with Ernest Borgnine's passing, Poitier became the oldest living recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor.
2013: Publication of "Montaro Caine"
Poitier authored and published his novel, "Montaro Caine", in 2013.
March 2, 2014: Appearance at the 86th Academy Awards
On March 2, 2014, Poitier appeared with Angelina Jolie at the 86th Academy Awards to present the Best Director Award. He received a standing ovation and praise for his contributions to Hollywood.
2016: BAFTA Fellowship
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honored Poitier with a BAFTA Fellowship in 2016.
September 2019: Hurricane Dorian Impact
Poitier's family was affected by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, with 23 relatives reported missing after the hurricane hit the Bahamas.
2021: Academy Museum Lobby Dedication
In 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles dedicated their lobby as the "Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby" in his honor.
January 19, 2022: Broadway Dims Lights in Tribute
On January 19, 2022, Broadway theaters dimmed their lights to honor Sidney Poitier's legacy.
September 23, 2022: Release of "Sidney" Documentary
"Sidney", a documentary film about the life and career of Sidney Poitier directed by Reginald Hudlin, was released on September 23, 2022.
2022: National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Induction
Poitier was posthumously inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in 2022.