Poitier was a trailblazer in the Hollywood film industry, making his film debut in 1950′s “No Way Out.” But it was 1963′s “Lilies of the Field” that earned him an Oscar for best actor, the first to go to a Black person, The Associated Press reported.
In 1968, Variety ran a headline saying “Poitier is the biggest film actor of the year, black or white.” The year prior, Poitier starred in “In the Heat of the Night,” “To Sir, With Love” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” earning him $750,000 per film, Variety reported.
More recently, Poitier’s contributions to the world of film have been honored in different ways. Arizona State University named its new film school “The Sidney Poitier New American Film School” in a ceremony in Jan. 2021, The Associated Press reported at the time. The program is designed to be one of the “largest, most accessible and most diverse film schools,” the AP reported.
Sidney Poitier was born Feb. 20, 1927 in Miami, Florida but grew up as a native of Cat Island, the Bahamas, according to IMDB. Poitier moved to New York at 16, and soon began working as a janitor for the American Negro Theater in exchange for acting lessons, PBS reported. It was while working at the theater that Poitier was given the opportunity to be Harry Belafonte’s understudy in the play “Days of our Youth.” Poitier made his public debut filling in for Belafonte one night, PBS reported.
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years Sidney Poitier admires the Oscar he has just received in Santa Monica, California, on April 13, 1964. He won Best Performance by an Actor for his role in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. (Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images) (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years Actors Richard Widmark (1914 – 2008) and Sidney Poitier in a scene of American noir film 'No Way Out', 1950. Original caption reads: 'Ray Biddle (Richard Widmark) keeps up such a volley of insults at the Negro Dr. Brooks (Sidney Poitier) that he has to be handcuffed to his bed before Brooks can go on with his try to save Johnny Biddle (Dick Paxton)'s life. Scene from the 1950 20th Century Fox production of "No Way Out."' Undated movie still. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years From left to right, actors Judy Geeson, Adrienne Posta, Sidney Poitier and Lulu on the set of the drama film 'To Sir, With Love', in which they all star, UK, 15th June 1966. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years Harry Belafonte (left) and Sidney Poitier attend NAACP Legal Defense Fund Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, California, November 27, 1993. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years Sidney Poitier as police detective Virgil Tibbs and Lee Grant as Leslie Colbert in the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night. (Photo by �� John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) (John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: (L-R) Singer Harry Belafonte, and actors Laurence Fishburne and Sidney Poitier attend the 43rd NAACP Image Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on February 17, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards) (Mark Davis)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1989: Sidney Poitier, Merv Griffin and Eva Gabor circa 1989 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty Images) (Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 08: (L-R) Writer George Stevens Jr., Joanna Shimkus, actor Sidney Poitier, and _____ backstage during American Film Institute's 45th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to Diane Keaton at Dolby Theatre on June 8, 2017 in Hollywood, California. 26658_006 (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Turner) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Turner)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years Gene Wilder; Sidney Poitier; Richard Pryor; listening to Harry Belafonte.; circa 1970; New York. (Photo by Art Zelin/Getty Images) (Art Zelin/Getty Images)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years Sidney Poitier, Alan Ladd JR., Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage) (Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 24: (L-R) Actors Sidney Poitier, Sally Field and Harrison Ford attend Target Presents AFI's Night at the Movies at ArcLight Cinemas on April 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AFI) (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AFI)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Actress Helen Mirren, actors Morgan Freeman, and Sidney Poitier pose in the press room with the Cecil B. DeMille Golden Globe award for career achievement at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 08: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Writer George Stevens Jr. (L) and actor Sidney Poitier react onstage during American Film Institute's 45th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to Diane Keaton at Dolby Theatre on June 8, 2017 in Hollywood, California. 26658_001 (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Turner) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Turner)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier attend the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards) (Mark Davis)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - DECEMBER 19: Actor Sidney Poitier attends the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children's Foundation's 6th Annual Christmas Gala and Fundraiser at Montage Beverly Hills on December 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for The Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children's Foundation) (Mark Davis)
Photos: Sidney Poitier through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 02: Actors Angelina Jolie (L) and Sidney Poitier speak onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)