Black ARTistory

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier (1927- ) is an actor, film director, diplomat, and author.
Mr. Poitier was breaking into the acting/film industry during a time of segregation and stereotype of African-Americans. During his time African Americans where portrayed as only singing or dancing and he did neither.
He wanted to be known for his acting skills and nothing else, which is when he got his break.

He joined the American Negro Theater, which lead to his leading role on broadway called "Lysistrata."

Mr. Poitier had a leading role on the film "No Way Out"(1950) as a doctor treating a white bigot, which was normally not a role African Americans played at the time. Mr. Poitier stood by his belief in breaking the stereotypes of African Americans on television.

His achievements:

- First black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor;

- Directed the Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder comedy "Comedy Stir", which was the highest grossing film directed by an African American;

- In 1959 he performed on the broadway play "A Raisin in the Sun", which was the first play by a black playwright to appear on Broadway;

- Directed the first dance battle movie "Fast Forward"(1985);

- In 2001, Poitier received an American Honorary Award for his contribution to American cinema;

- He was a member of the Board of Directors for The Walt Disney Company (1998-2003);

- Currently, he is the ambassador of Bahamas to Japan; and

- In 2009, he received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

WOA thanks Mr. Poitier for paving the way for the inspiring black actors. 

"I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people."


"I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values."