March 10th, 2024

Mr. Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, and author. He was the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in the 1963 film "Lilies of the Field". Poitier is known for his roles in groundbreaking films that addressed issues of race and social justice. He was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and used his platform to advocate for equality and representation in Hollywood. In addition to his acting career, Poitier also directed several films, including "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 for his contributions to American culture. Sidney Poitier's legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of actors and filmmakers.

The cold opening audio clip of Sidney Poitier was taken from the archives of the Academy Of Achievement, and episode 18 of Alice Winkler’s WHAT IT TAKES, an Academy of Achievement podcast. The other clip was taken from an American Film Institute interview.

MUSIC COMPOSED BY: Edzer Angerville and Marcus Pinn