Who is Sidney Poitier?

Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Lilies of the Field.” Sidney Poitier is a filmmaker, novelist, and diplomat in addition to being an actor. He was the first African-American actor to win an Academy Award.

Sidney Poitier – Birth, Parents, Siblings & Education

On February 20, 1927, Sidney Poitier was born to his mother Evelyn, and father Reginald James Poitier.

His parents were poor Bahamian farmers from Cat Island who sold tomatoes in Miami.

Despite being born in Miami, he grew up in the Bahamas, which was then a British Crown colony.

Poitier was raised as a Roman Catholic after his family relocated to Nassau when he was ten years old.

When he was 15, he moved in with his brother.

He moved to New York City a year later and worked in various professions until he lied about his age and joined the Army during World War II in 1943.

He was also a mental hospital attendant before being chosen to perform in the American Negro Theatre.

Cause of Death

Sidney died on January 6, 2022, at the age of 94, in his home in Beverly Hills, California.

Fred Mitchell, the Bahamas’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed his death.

His death was attributed to cardiopulmonary failure.

Net Worth of Sidney Poitier? Salary, Earning

Sidney Poitier’s estimated net worth was $20 million. His earnings are unknown.

Facts of Sidney Poitier

Relationship, Married life, Boyfriend/Girlfriend

Sidney Poitier has been married twice before.

On April 29, 1950, he married Juanita Hardy for the first time.

The pair were married for 15 years and had four daughters named Sherri Poitier, Pamela Poitier, Beverly Poitier-Henderson, and Gina Poitier.

But the marriage did not work out, and they divorced in 1965, after a decade and a half of marriage.

On January 23, 1976, Poitier married Joanna Shimkus for the second time.

The couple has been living together peacefully ever since. 

They have two kids, Anika Poitier and Sydney Tamiia Poitier.

Body Measurement- Height, Weight, Hair Color

Sidney Poitier stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 85 kilograms.

He had salt and pepper hair and dark brown eyes. His shoe and outfit sizes are unknown.

Sidney Poitier – Professional Career

Poitier’s stage appearances at the American Negro Theatre were not well received by the audience, so he attempted to seek a career in film.

In 1947, he acted as an extra in his debut film, “Sepia Cinderella.”

He was nominated for several accolades for his performances in films such as “Edge of the City,” “The Defiant Ones,” “Porgy and Bess,” and others.

Poitier’s fame and popularity peaked with his breakthrough performance as Homer Smith in “Lilies of the Field,” which garnered him “Academy Award for Best Actor,” “Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama,” and “Silver Bear for Best Actor.”

In 1972, he made his directorial debut with the film “Buck and the Preacher.”

He is also a diplomat, having served as the Bahamas’ ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2007.

On August 12, 2009, former President of the United States Barack Obama presented Poitier with the “Presidential Medal of Freedom,” the country’s highest civilian honor.

Sidney Poitier – Social Media Status

Sidney was inactive on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Also Read: Jon Beavers,   Jay Lycurgo,  Chidi Ajufo,  Joseph Garrett

Quick Facts of Sidney Poitier

• Sidney was a Bahamian-American actor who served as an ambassador of the Bahamas to Japan from 1997 to 2007.
• He starred in 3 box office hit movies of 1967 which are “To Sir”, “with Love; In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”.
• At the age of 94, Sidney passed away at his residence in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2022.
• He is also a diplomat and served as an ambassador of the Bahamas to Japan from 1997 to 2007.
• Sidney’s net worth was estimated to be $20 million. His salary is unknown.
• He had been married twice in his life.