Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, activist, and diplomat. He was the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964 for 'Lilies of the Field.' Poitier broke ground playing strong leading African American male roles and redefined roles for African Americans by rejecting parts based on racial stereotypes. He also served as the Bahamian ambassador to Japan and UNESCO. Poitier authored several books, including two autobiographies.
Awards
['Academy Award for Best Actor', 'Honorary Academy Award', 'Golden Globe Awards', 'BAFTA Award', 'Grammy Award', 'Presidential Medal of Freedom', 'Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire']
Notable Works
['Lilies of the Field', "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", 'In the Heat of the Night', 'To Sir, with Love', 'A Raisin in the Sun', 'The Defiant Ones', 'Blackboard Jungle']
