Sidney Poitier, a trailblazing actor, film director, author, and diplomat, was born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida. Although born in the United States, he was raised in the Bahamas and held dual Bahamian-American citizenship. His parents, Evelyn and Reginald James Poitier, were Bahamian farmers from Cat Island. During a trip to Miami to sell produce, Poitier was born two months prematurely. Doctors were not initially hopeful for his survival, prompting his parents to remain in Miami for three months to attend to his fragile health.
Sidney spent his early years on Cat Island before moving to Nassau. At the age of 15, he relocated to Miami to live with his brother and later moved to New York City to pursue his ambitions in acting.
Poitier began nurturing his acting skills at the American Negro Theater in New York. Although initially rejected for his strong Bahamian accent, he worked diligently to refine his diction. His persistence paid off when he was cast in a Broadway production of Lysistrata, attracting attention for his talent and stage presence. This opened doors to more significant roles both on stage and in film.
He gained critical acclaim with his performance in the 1959 film adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun and further solidified his reputation in The Bedford Incident (1965). His career-defining moment came with his Academy Award win for Best Actor in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field (1963), making him the first Black man to win the award in that category.
Throughout the 1960s, Poitier became one of the highest-grossing box office stars. Notable films such as To Sir, with Love, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner tackled significant social issues and showcased his range as a performer.
In addition to acting, Poitier was an accomplished film director. He directed several notable movies, including Uptown Saturday Night, Let’s Do It Again, A Piece of the Action, and Stir Crazy, the latter starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. These films cemented his status not only as a respected actor but also as a successful filmmaker.
His legacy as one of the Greatest Male Stars of All Time is recognized by the American Film Institute, which ranked him 22nd on its list of 25 greatest male screen legends.
Outside the world of film, Poitier engaged in diplomatic service. He served as the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2007. Additionally, he was appointed as the Bahamas' Ambassador to UNESCO. His pursuits extended into music as well, where he collaborated with composer Fred Katz to produce an album, adding another dimension to his versatile career.
Poitier was married twice. He first married Juanita Hardy on April 29, 1950, and the couple remained together until their separation in 1965. Later, he married Canadian actress Joanna Shimkus. Across both marriages, he fathered six daughters: Anika, Gina (deceased), Beverly, Pamela, Sherri, and Sydney Tamiia Poitier.
Known for his dignified presence and profound integrity, Poitier lived a life marked by personal achievement and extensive contributions to art and society.
Poitier accumulated numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2002, he received an honorary Academy Award recognizing his influence in expanding the scope of roles available to Black actors in Hollywood. In 2009, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the United States' highest civilian honors.
He left an enduring mark on American cinema and was widely respected for pioneering roles that challenged racial barriers and promoted dignity on screen and off.
Sidney Poitier stood approximately 6 feet 2.5 inches tall (189 cm), with salt and pepper hair. His zodiac sign was Pisces, and he self-identified as heterosexual. His full birth name was Sidney L. Poitier, and honorary titles included "Sir" and "KBE" (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire), which he received for his services to drama.
Though formal academic instruction was limited, he credits the American Negro Theater as a formative institution in his development as a performer. His breakthrough in Lilies of the Field remains his most celebrated cinematic milestone.
Poitier remained an active and eloquent public figure into his later years. At the time of assessing his public profile, his net worth was estimated at approximately $25 million. Fans and followers could learn more about him through authoritative websites including achievement.com and FindingDulcinea, as well as comprehensive biographical listings on Wikipedia and NNDB. Though he did not maintain official personal social media accounts, his legacy continues to be celebrated widely online.
| Birth Date: | 20 Feb, 1927 |
| Age: | 93 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America The Bahamas |
| Birth Place: | Miami |
| Education: | Actors Studio |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American-born Bahamian actor, film director, author, and diplomat |
| Spouse: | Joanna Shimkus [M. 1976] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 20 million |
