Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s Sidney Poitier made Hollywood history by breaking away from ethnic stereotypes, becoming the first black actor to win the best leading actor Oscar. His roles brought not only black voices to cinema, but also paralleled the growth of the U.S. civil rights movement throughout the entertainment industry (Sources, 2022). His acting intensity brought about an articulating intelligence and defiance qualities that resonated with audience members who viewed his characters as a hero who despite racial barriers was able to overcome all obstacles. Sidney Poitier left an everlasting legacy in Hollywood cinema and will continue to inspire actors of various ethnic backgrounds for decades to come.
| Number of Films: 57 |
| Memorable Roles Uptown Saturday Night (1974) In the Heat of the Night (1967) Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) To Sir, with Love (1967) Lilies of the Field (1963) The Defiant Ones (1958) |
| Films In the Hollywood Half-time Database The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) Porgy and Bess (1959) |
| Academy Awards (3) |
| 2002- Honorary Award 1964- Best Leading Actor (Winner- Lilies of the Field) 1959- Best Leading Actor (Nominated- The Defiant Ones) |
| Golden Globes Awards (11) |
| 1992- Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television (Nominated- Separate But Equal) 1982-Cecil B. DeMille Award 1971, 1970- World Film Favorite Male (Nominated) 1969- World Film Favorite Male (Winner) 1968- Best Drama Actor in a Motion Picture (Nominated- In the Heat of the Night) 1966- Best Drama Actor in a Motion Picture (Nominated- A Patch of Blue) 1964- Best Drama Actor in a Motion Picture (Winner– Lilies of the Field) 1962- Best Drama Actor in a Motion Picture (Nominated- A Raisin in the Sun) 1960- Best Comedy or Musical Actor in a Motion Picture (Nominated- Porgy and Bess) 1959- Best Drama Actor in a Motion Picture (Nominated- The Defiant Ones) |
| British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (7) |
| 2016- Academy Fellowship 1968- Best Foreign Actor (Nominated- In the Heat of the Night) 1967- Best Foreign Actor (Nominated- A Patch of Blue) 1965- Best Foreign Actor (Nominated- Lilies of the Field) 1962- Best Foreign Actor (Nominated- A Raisin in the Sun) 1959- Best Foreign Actor (Winner– The Defiant Ones) 1958- Best Foreign Actor (Nominated- Edge of the City) |
Return To The Top (XY) Actors of Hollywood All-time
Works Cited
Sources, C. (2022, January 24). ‘Sidney Poitier changed movies, and changed lives.’ People’s World. Accessed August 21, 2021 from https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/sidney-poitier-changed-movies-and-changed-lives/#:~:text=Poitier%20made%20Hollywood%20history%20by,of%20the%20civil%20rights%20movement.
All image screenshots taken from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001627/
Hollywood Half-Time 