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Just In: Sir Sidney Poitier dead at 94: First black man to win Oscar passes away as tributes flood in by George Stark for Dailymail.com
Sir Sidney Poitier dead: Oscar-winning Hollywood star tragically dies as tributes pour in Sir Sidney Poitier has tragically died at the age of 94 and tributes to the star have flooded in on Twitter Hollywood legend Sir Sidney Poitier has died aged 94. The beloved actor death, who had an incredible 71-year career, was confirmed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, according to Eyewitness News Bahamas. Speaking about his death, Mitchell said: “We’ve lost a great Bahamian and I’ve lost a personal friend.” Bahamian-American actor Sidney was an Oscar-winning Hollywood star who was known as a true trailblazer in Hollywood with more than 50 films under his belt. Sidney also published several autobiographies during his career – This Life, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (2007), and Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter (2008). A Broadway play about the incredible career of the visionary actor was announced last month, before his sudden death. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but he will be missed by many. Taking to Twitter, fans of Sidney shared their tributes as they couldn’t believe the news. One person wrote: “One of the greatest of all time. may he rest in peace.” A second added: “May he rest in peace knowing he served and was loved.” “Absolute legend … RIP, sir,” a third added. Another penned: “Oh no… so, so sad to hear this… RIP, Mr. Poitier.” With Sidney’s family blessing, the play will be based on his youth in the Bahamas, to his historic successes during the Golden Age of Hollywood, as he became the first black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Producers told Variety: “Poitier has inspired many artists in multiple fields including encouraging Alice Childress to begin writing when they were both members at American Negro Theatre.
Sir Sidney Poitier has died at 94
His death has been confirmed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell
Poitier was the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964
He was awarded a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974
In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama
Legendary Hollywood actor Sidney Poitier – the first black man to win the best actor Oscar – has died at 94.
His passing was confirmed by the Bahamas’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell, on Friday morning.
His cause of death is not yet known.
Bahamian-American Poitier’s trailblazing acting career saw them win an Oscar in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field him and earn two further Academy Award nominations, ten Golden Globes nominations, two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations, six BAFTA nominations, eight Laurel nominations, and one Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination.
Twice-married, he had four daughters with his first wife Juanita Hardy, and two with his second wife Joanna Shimkus. To read more go to the link below:
