Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier, (born February 20, 1927, Miami, Florida, U.S.), Bahamian American actor, director, and producer who broke the colour barrier in the U.S. motion-picture industry by becoming the first African American actor to win an Academy Award for best actor (for Lilies of the Field ) and the first Black movie star. He also redefined roles for African Americans by rejecting parts that were based on racial stereotypes.
Early life and work Poitier was born prematurely in the United States while his parents were visiting from The Bahamas. While some references give his birth year as 1924, most sources, including Poitier himself, indicate that he was born in 1927. He grew up on Cat Island, Bahamas, and returned as a teenager to the Un… Continue Reading (5 minute read)