Who Is Sidney Poitier? Age, Biography and Wiki
Sidney Poitier was born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, to Bahamian parents, and he passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 94. Widely acclaimed for his performances in films such as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "Lilies of the Field," and "To Sir, with Love," Sidney Poitier was not just an actor; he was also a pioneering figure in Hollywood who broke racial barriers and paved the way for future generations of actors.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1927 |
| Age | 94 Years |
| Birth Place | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 6 January, 2022 |
| Died Place | Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Sidney Poitier's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Sidney Poitier was renowned for his dignified presence on-screen. He stood approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and weighed around 170 pounds (77 kg) during his peak acting years. His strong physique complemented his commanding performances.
While presenting Poitier the Honorary Academy Award in 2002, Denzel Washington said of Poitier: "Before Sidney, African American actors had to take supporting roles in major studio films that were easy to cut out in certain parts of the country. But you couldn't cut Sidney Poitier out of a Sidney Poitier picture".
He was an influential African-American actor and highly viewed as such as he became the first Black male actor to be nominated (1958) for an Academy Award (following the nominations of actresses Hattie McDaniel in 1940 and Dorothy Dandridge in 1954) and the first Black male actor to win the award.
He was also described as the "sole representative" of African-Americans in mainstream cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, especially during the height of the American Civil Rights movement. The New York Times wrote that Poitier was "an ambassador to white America and a benign emblem of Black power".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Sidney Poitier was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Juanita Hardy in 1950, which lasted until their divorce in 1965. He later married Joanna Shimkus in 1976. The couple remained together until his passing, and they had two daughters. Poitier’s family life was marked by closeness and love, reflecting his values and upbringing.
He was the youngest of seven children born to Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier, Afro-Bahamian farmers who owned a farm on Cat Island. The family would travel to Miami to sell tomatoes and other produce to wholesalers. His father also worked as a cab driver in Nassau. Poitier grew up in the Bahamas, then a British Crown colony.
His birth in the United States entitled him to US citizenship.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Sidney Poitier had an estimated net worth of approximately $20 million. His income came from his successful acting career, directing projects, and various other ventures, including real estate investments.
Career, Business and Investments
Sidney Poitier's career trajectory was nothing short of remarkable. He was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Lilies of the Field" in 1964. Beyond acting, Poitier directed several films and served as a diplomat, representing the Bahamas in various capacities. His influence extended into business, where he made smart investments that contributed to his substantial net worth.
After leaving the Army, he worked as a dishwasher until a successful audition landed him a role in an American Negro Theatre production, the same company he failed his first audition with.
Social Network
Although Sidney Poitier has passed, his legacy continues to thrive on various social media platforms where fans celebrate his contributions to film and civil rights. Tributes and discussions surrounding his life and works remain prevalent, ensuring that new generations understand his impact.
In 1964, Poitier recorded an album with the composer Fred Katz called Poitier Meets Plato, in which Poitier recites passages from Plato's writings.
He also performed in the Cold War drama The Bedford Incident (1965) alongside the film's producer Richard Widmark, the Biblical epic film The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) alongside Charlton Heston and Max von Sydow, and A Patch of Blue (1965) co-starring Elizabeth Hartman and Shelley Winters.
Education
Poitier's formal education was shaped by his early years in the Bahamas and time spent in the United States. He attended George Washington Carver High School in New York and later took acting lessons, demonstrating a commitment to bettering his craft. His passion for education underscored much of his life philosophy and professional choices.
citizenship. He grew up in the Bahamas, but moved to Miami at age 15, and to New York City when he was 16. He joined the American Negro Theatre, gaining his breakthrough film role as a high school student in the film Blackboard Jungle (1955).
Poitier gained fame for his leading roles in films such as The Defiant Ones (1958), for which he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor and became the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. In 1964, he won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field (1963).
