Hollywood legend Sidney Poitier dies at age 94

Sidney Poitier, the first black movie star in Hollywood and the first Oscar-winning black man, died at the age of 94 and is full of sadness from the entertainment industry and beyond.

Stars such as Denzel Washington and former US President Barack Obama sent emotional compliments on Friday when news of the death of a famous actor was reported.

“He was a gentleman and opened the door for all of us who had been closed for years,” Academy Award-winning Denzel Washington said in a statement.

“To Sir, with Love, Sidney Poitier RIP He taught us how to reach the stars,” tweeted Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg.

“It was very sad to know the death of Sidney Poitier this morning,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis, confirming the death of a dual citizen of the United States and the Bahamas.

Details of Poichie’s death were not immediately confirmed.

Efforts to address prejudice and stereotypes

Poichie, the first black male star to be nominated for an Academy Award for “Handcuffs” in 1958, won a groundbreaking Oscar for “Lilies of the Field” six years later.

During the era of racial tensions in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, Poichie was successful and a project to tackle prejudices and stereotypes such as the 1967 masterpieces Guess Who’s Coming Soon and In the Heat of the Night. Balanced with the sense of duty to choose. .. “

“For me, the biggest of the’Great Trees’ has fallen: Sidney Poitier,” wrote Oprah Winfrey.

“Open door”

Poichie was awarded the Honorary Oscar in 2002 for his “extraordinary performance” and its “dignity, style and intellect” at the silver screen.

On television, he portrayed historical symbols such as South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela and the US Supreme Court’s Thurgood Marshall’s first black judge.

And in 1997, he was appointed to the ceremony as the Bahamas Ambassador to Japan.

He was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian honor of the country) by President Obama in 2009.

“Through his groundbreaking role and unparalleled talent, Sidney Poitier symbolized dignity and elegance, revealing the power of the film to bring us closer. He is also the door to the actors of the generation. Opened, “Obama tweeted.

“Michelle and I send our love to his family and an army of fans.”

‘One and only’

Poichie married his second wife, Joanna, since 1976 and had six children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Sidney Poitier. What a groundbreaking actor. No other,” said Westworld star Jeffrey Wright.

“He paved the way for Spian like me. I’m grateful forever,” added veteran actor Colman Domingo.

Then, a message flowed from across Hollywood, and Bollywood star Anil Kapoor praised “my childhood idol, lifelong inspiration, and my favorite movie star.”

“My best friend, I saw Sydney and learned a lot from how he carried himself in such elegance and class,” tweeted basketball legend Magic Johnson.

“It was an honor to call Sidney Poitier my friend. God congratulates him and his family,” Washington wrote.

Source: AFP