Sidney Poitier is a name that not a lot of people, especially from the younger generation, are familiar with. An actor par excellence, Poitier passed away in January this year at the age of 94. Several film personalities, fans, and politicians mourned the loss of great talent.
He is once again in the news because of the documentary titled ‘Sidney‘ which is based on his life. Written by Jesse James Miller and directed by Reginald Hudlin, the film is executive produced by Oprah Winfrey. Now let’s try and find out who Poitier actually was.
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Who Was Sidney Poitier?
Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian and American actor, film director, and diplomat. He became the first black and Bahamian actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in the year 1964.
A recipient of several awards including two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and a Grammy Award, Poitier was one of the last faces of Hollywood’s golden age. He is often credited for creating the groundwork and a more accepting environment for black actors in Hollywood.
Poitier received acclaim for his performance in films like ‘To Sir, with Love’, ‘Porgy and Bess’, ‘A Patch of Blue’, and ‘Lilies of the Field’ among others.
For his contribution to the field of arts, Poitier was bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, by President Barack Obama in 2009. He passed away on January 6 this year at the age of 94 due to an age-related illness.
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How Did Sidney’s Relationship With Diahann Carroll Change His Life?
Sidney’s life wasn’t devoid of gossip like any other Hollywood star. Back in the 1950s, he along with Diahann Carroll were two of Hollywood’s biggest stars. They did the film ‘Porgy and Bess‘ together.
Despite being married, both actors started a love affair in 1959. Poitier was mesmerized by Carroll’s beauty which he talked about in public while being married to model Juanita Hardy. They shared four children at the time.
He once said about Carroll, “As I got to know her, I realised she was one of the brightest women I had ever known.” Diahann recalled in her memoir, ‘The Legs Are the Last to Go‘, Sidney told her, “I won’t have you running around with other men. You belong to me!”
Their nine-year-long relationship came to end when she left her husband for him. But Poitier didn’t do his end of the bargain and decided to stay with his second wife, Joanna Shimkus. During their relationship, Poitier bought her a ring and promised to divorce his wife. The two then went to remain friends with Coroll recalling that she was too young and naive at that time. Their relationship affected the actor’s life as he decided to remain faithful throughout.
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