Sidney Poitier's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Sidney Poitier.

Sidney Poitier was a trailblazing Bahamian-American actor, director, activist, and diplomat, renowned as the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964. His distinguished career garnered numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. He was recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest screen legends. Poitier's impact extended beyond entertainment, as he served as a significant figure in the fight for civil rights and equality during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1940: Hattie McDaniel Nomination

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

1954: Dorothy Dandridge Nomination

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

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.

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: 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: 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: 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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1994: Received Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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

1995: Kennedy Center Honor

In 1995, Sidney Poitier received the Kennedy Center Honor.

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: 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: 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.

2009: Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

2016: Received BAFTA Fellowship

In 2016, Sidney Poitier received the BAFTA Fellowship.

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.