After starring in over 40 films,
directing nine and writing four, Poitier's fame only scratches the surface of his many
accomplishments that have paved the way for other Black stars. "It is
impossible to understand the impact that Sidney Poitier has had on the film
industry," said theatre professor Charles Dumas, who starred in "Separate But
Equal" with Poitier. Dumas added that Poitier pushed the envelope whenever he
could to expand the world for Black actors.
Poitier has appeared before a
congressional committee investigating discrimination in filmmaking, and he has refused to
work on films that do not employ increased numbers of black talent. This high level
of integrity has been with Poitier since he entered both the country and the film
industry. Poitier was born in Miami but was raised on Cat Island in the Caribbean
until the age of 15, when he moved back to the U.S. He often credits his island
upbringing for his integrity, which later helped him battle racism. Poitier gained
recognition after his performance in "No Way Out" in 1950. His Academy
Award nomination for his role in "The Defiant Ones" and he won
the Best Actor Oscar in 1963 for "Lillies in the Field" the first Black actor to
do so.
Throughout this time period and into the
late '60s, Poitier was one of the highest paid actors in the world. Even with all of
his fame and talent, Poitier took a leave of absence from acting in 1977 after "Piece
of the Action," which he filmed with Harry Belafonte and Bill Cosby. He wanted
to spend more time with his family and work on his autobiography, which was published in
1980. Poitier also directed and wrote some films during his leave, including
"Stir Crazy" in 1980 and "Hanky Panky" in 1982. He returned to
acting in 1988 with "Shoot to Kill,' and is most recently remembered for his role in
the 1992 suspense film "Sneakers," Beyond acting, Poitier has received many
honors, including recognition from the American Museum of the Moving Image (1989) and the
first Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.