FIRST BLACK MALE OSCAR WINNER AND PROLIFIC ACTOR SYDNEY POITIER DIES AGED 94

Merely a week after the loss of actress Betty White, Hollywood has suffered yet another blow; Sidney Poitier prolific actor and the first ever black man and Bahamian to have won an Oscar died yesterday on the 6^th of January 2022 at the age of 94. His death was announced today by the minister of foreign affairs of the Bahamas, Fred Mitchell. As well as his acting career Poitier was known for his film directing, activism and being an ambassador of the Bahamas to Japan which he served from 2002 to 2007.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas Chester Cooper has said that he is conflicted with great sadness and a sense of celebration when he learned of the passing of Sir Sidney Poitier, he then continued to say; “the sadness that he feels is that he would no longer be here to tell him how much he means to them, but celebration that he did so much to show the world that those from the humblest beginnings can change the world and that they gave him his flowers whilst he was with them.” “We have lost an icon, a hero, a mentor, a fighter and national treasure.”

A true icon of his generation, with a body of work and legacy that will forever be timeless, Sidney Poitier has in his decades long career amassed a plethora of accolades for his work in film and television, as an activist and humanitarian. These accolades include being Knighted in 1974 by Queen Elizabeth II, A Grammy Award for best spoken word album in 1982, in 1995 the Kennedy Centre Honour, in 1999 he was ranked 22nd amongst the male actors on the 100 Years… 100 Stars list by the American Film institute, the Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2000, the Screen Actors Guild lifetime achievement award in 2000, an Academy honorary award in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being in 2002, the Presidential Medal of Freedom Honour in 2009, and the BAFTA fellowship for outstanding lifetime achievement in film in 2016.

In his long-standing career, Sydney Poitier has certainly inspired many generations as he leaves behind a legacy that surpasses decades dating back from 1946. Some of his earlier and most memorable films include ‘Lilies Of The Field’ which was his Oscar winning role, ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’, ‘In The Heat of The Night’, ‘Sneakers’; and as a director his movies included comedy stir crazy which starred Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder a film in which for many years was the highest grossing film directed by a person of African descent. Other films he directed included his directorial debut ‘Western Buck and the Preacher’, ‘Uptown Saturday Night’, ‘Let’s Do It Again’, ‘Fast Forward’, Ghost Dad, and a piece of the action.

Like many actors trying to find their way into the industry, Sidney Poitier had joined the American Negro theatre and was rejected by audiences due to being tone deaf. However, that did not deter him from pursuing his career; he worked hard for months on end, brushing up on his skills, and assimilating himself into sounding more “American”. He then made another attempt at the theatre and was fortunate enough to be noticed and offered a role in the Broadway production ‘Lysistrata’ which later resulted in being invited to become an understudy for Anna Lucasta. From here on Sidney Poitier’s work in film and theatre continued to grow from strength to strength. In the 1950s. He starred in Daryl F Zanuck’s film no way out where he portrayed a doctor treating a Caucasian bigot played by Richard Widmark. This role helped solidify his position to receiving more prominent roles that would not normally be given to other African American actors. By the 1960s Sidney Poitier performed in the first production of ‘A Raisin In The Sun’ alongside Ruby Dee at the Ethel Barrymore theatre. The play which was directed by Lloyd Richards is considered a ground-breaking piece of American theatre with Frank Rich a critic from the New York Times writing that ‘A Raisin In The Sun’ “changed American theatre forever.” the play introduced to the predominantly white Broadway audience, details of black life; this also resulted in the play drawing in a large black audience. Within the same year, Poitier starred in the film adaptation of ‘Porgy and Bess’ which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy; All in all Sidney Poitier has received three Academy Award nominations winning one, ten Golden Globe nominations, two prime time Emmy Award nominations, six BAFTA nominations, eight Laurel nominations, and one Screen Actors Guild nomination.

Upon the announcement of his passing many public figures and celebrities have taken to social media to express the gratitude towards his contribution in not only film and television but in his activism and being an all-round amazing human being.

Actor Jeffrey Wright has written a touching message on Twitter stating “Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.”

Former U S President Barack Obama has said “through his ground breaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomised dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans.”

Oprah Winfrey posted a written image stating “for me, the greatest of the great trees has fallen: Sydney Poitier. My honour to have loved him as a mentor. Friend. Brother. Confident. Wisdom teacher. The utmost, highest regard and praise for his magnificent, gracious, eloquent life. I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish. Blessings to Joanna and his world of beautiful daughters.”

Bill Clinton former president of the United states, has stated: “Sidney Poitier changed Hollywood, America, & through the strength, grace, & dignity he radiated both on screen and off. I’ll always be deeply grateful that I had the chance to spend time with him through the years.“

The Prime Minister off the Bahamas Phillip Davis has ordered Bahamian flags in the country and its embassies around the world to be lowered to half-staff in tribute to Sidney Poitier

He shall forever be remembered and his legacy shall continue to live on in future generations rest in peace Sidney Poitier.