Sidney Poitier passed into history as the first male black actor to be awarded an Oscar. The sad news of the passing of the trailblazing actor and activist was confirmed by the Bahamian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Poitier died this Friday, January, 7 at the age of 94.
Sidney Poitier was born unexpectedly in Miami while his parents were visiting; when he was just a few months old, the family went back to the Bahamas where he was raised. Sidney Poitier moved back to the US when he was just a teenager. He always dreamed of becoming a renowned actor, but he had it difficult to make it. His big breakthrough came in the fifties and soon became a real Hollywood icon not only as an actor but also as a director and producer.
But Sidney Poitier was way much more than just a Hollywood legend, he was a real activist. During the sixties, we became an important voice in the civil rights movement and even became an ambassador for the Bahamas. He never forgot his origins and always tried to show the world the beauty of the Bahamian culture.
Many homages have been planned to honor his legacy and iconic career, even before learning about his passing. There’s even a Broadway show on the works portraying his harsh life and great achievements.
Photo from Shutterstock
