Sidney Poitier is one of the most amazing iconic actors to ever grace the big screen. His fearlessness and charismatic roles made him the epitome of his craft. His run in Hollywood and groundbreaking roles lasted six decades, which makes him among the top actors in the film industry.
Poitier became the first African American nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. He would eventually go on to win the Best Actor award in 1964 for his film “Lillies in The Field.” Not only was Sidney Poitier an activist, but he opened up doors for a generation of actors that would come after him. It is with deep regret and sadness for me to announce that we lost this iconic figure on January 7, 2022, at the age of 94.
In honor of his memory, below are my top 5 films I feel are amazing and very important to the film culture.
This film, starring Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil. Ruby Dee, and Louis Gossett Jr. is about a black family who wants a better life but a substantial insurance payment makes it very difficult.
One of Sidney Poitier’s most popular films starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger about a black police detective who is compelled to investigate a murder in Mississippi that he is accused of committing. This film won multiple Academy Awards.
Starring Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, and Lisa Mann Is a film about an itinerant worker who becomes mixed up with East German Nuns who believes that he was sent by God to build them a chapel. This is the film that Sidney Poitier won the Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
This film starring Sidney Poitier, Tony Curtis, and Theodore Bikel is about escaped convicts shackled together who must try to get along to evade capture.
Starring Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge, and Sammy Davis Jr. is a film about a crippled man who falls in love with a woman who has a drug addiction. They face the harsh challenges of life together.
Sidney Poitier, thank you for your contribution to our culture.
If you have a moment, check out the article, Remembering a Pioneer Black Legend in Hollywood: Farewell Mr. Sidney Poitier written by Marconja Zor