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Sidney Poitier: Remember The Film Legend With Photos

By:
January 7, 2022 10:55AM EST

Boundary-breaking actor and film icon Sidney Poitier died on Jan. 6, 2022 at 94. Remember Sidney Poitier with photos of the movie star through the years.

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Sidney Poitier: Remember The Film Legend With Photos

Sidney Poitier: Remember The Film Legend With Photos
Unimedia/Shutterstock

An icon remembered. Sidney Poitier’s name has been synonymous with stellar acting since he emerged in the late ’50s.

Born in Florida to Bahamian parents, Sidney grew up to be one of the most critically-acclaimed movie icons of the 20th century, making history as the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar.

He started his career with the American Negro Theater, before breaking into the film industry by playing Dr. Luther Brooks in ‘No Way Out’ in 1950. He went on to star in many more classic movies like 1967’s ‘In The Heat of the Night’ and 1964’s ‘Lilies of the Field,’ which earned him a best leading actor Academy Award. He was a mainstay of the big and small screen until 2001, when he played his final role in ‘The Last Brickmaker,’ before retiring.

Other than acting, Sidney was the ambassador for the Bahamas to Japan from 1997 until 2007. He was also on the Walt Disney Company board of directors from 1995 until 2003.

Sidney Poitier passed away on Ja. 6, 2022 at 94-years-old.

Scroll through our gallery to check out photos of Sidney Poitier.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM
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Sidney Poitier Poses

Sidney Poitier Poses
Universal History Archive/Shutte

Sidney Poitier poses for a portrait in 1966. The Bahamian-American actor, film director, and author was a legend.

Talking about his legacy with Oprah Winfrey in 2000, he said, “It’s been an enormous responsibility. And I accepted it, and I lived in a way that showed how I respected that responsibility. I had to. In order for others to come behind me, there were certain things I had to do.”

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier In ‘To Sir, With Love’

Sidney Poitier In ‘To Sir, With Love’
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier sits behind the desk in 1966’s ‘To Sir, With Love’. The film was about social issues and racial issues at an inner-city school in the UK.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Stars In ‘To Sir, With Love’

Sidney Poitier Stars In ‘To Sir, With Love’
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier looks sharp in ‘To Sir, With Love’. The 1966 movie was based on E. R. Braithwaite’s 1959 autobiographical novel of the same name.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Teaches In ‘To Sir, With Love’

Sidney Poitier Teaches In ‘To Sir, With Love’
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier was an expert at captivating an audience. He’s seen in ‘To Sir, With Love’ in 1966. In the film he plays Mark Thackeray, an immigrant to Britain from British Guyana.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Looks Serious

Sidney Poitier Looks Serious
Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier is caught mid-scene in ‘To Sir, With Love’. The film also featured Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Suzy Kendall and singer Lulu.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Speaks

Sidney Poitier Speaks
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier speaks to a group in ‘To Sir, With Love’. All eyes were on him.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Talks To A Student In ‘To Sir, With Love’

Sidney Poitier Talks To A Student In ‘To Sir, With Love’
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier was known for his commanding presence. He’s seen lecturing a student, played. by Judy Geeson, in the film ‘To Sir, With Love’ from 1966

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Dances

Sidney Poitier Dances
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier smiles and dances in a scene from ‘to Sir, With Love’ in 1966. It looked like a good time.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sidney Poitier Walks Around

Sidney Poitier Walks Around
Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier walks around in a scene from ‘To Sir, With Love’. He carried his jacket over his shoulder.

January 7, 2022, 10:23AM
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Sydney Poitier In Canada

Sydney Poitier In Canada
Pat Thomas/AP/Shutterstock

Sydney Poitier sported a casual outfit at the Montreal World Film Fest in Sep. 1991. The actor was there to recieve one of the many honors bestowed upon him through the years.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM
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Sidney Poitier in Los Angeles

Sidney Poitier in Los Angeles
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier sported a gray suit at the Robert Graham exhibit at the Ace Gallery in LA, back in 2005. The actor went for a classic look in the suit with a red tie.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM
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Sidney Poitier Speaks At ‘The Fulfillment Fund’s Gala In 2007

Sidney Poitier Speaks At ‘The Fulfillment Fund’s Gala In 2007
Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier delivered a speech at a benefit gala for the Fulfillment Fund in 2007. The actor rocked a suit onstage at the event.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM
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Sidney Poitier Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Sidney Poitier Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Matthew Cavanaugh/EPA/Shuttersto

President Barack Obama paid tribute to Sidney Poitier in 2009 with the country’s highest civilain honor. The then-president placed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on the actor.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM
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Sidney Poitier & Sydney Tamiia Poitier At The 86th Academy Awards

Sidney Poitier & Sydney Tamiia Poitier At The 86th Academy Awards
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt

Sidney Poitier brought his daughter Sydney Tamiia Poitier along for the 86th Oscar’s in 2014. He sported a tux, while his daughter stunned in a silver gown.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM
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Sidney Poitier At The Carousel of Hope Ball

Sidney Poitier At The Carousel of Hope Ball
David Buchan/Shutterstock

Sidney Poitier has continued his work for charities, even after he’s retired from acting. He spoke at the Carousel of Hope Ball in Los Angeles back in 2016.

January 4, 2022, 12:59PM