Sidney Poitier biography
Sidney Poitier history
Sidney Poitier facts
Sidney Poitier video clips
Sidney Poitier photos
Sidney Poitier story
Sidney Poitier discography
Sidney Poitier photographs
Sidney Poitier bio
Sidney Poitier info
Sidney Poitier curious
Sidney Poitier images
Sidney Poitier quotes
Sidney Poitier films
Sidney Poitier filmography

[h3]A native of Cat Island, The Bahamas, (though born in Miami during a mainland visit by his parents), Poitier grew up in poverty as the son of a farmer. He had little formal education and at the age of 15 was sent to Miami to live with his brother.[/h3]

He later joined the US Army and upon his release from duty, he moved to New York, where he auditioned for the American Negro Theatre. He was rejected so forcefully that he dedicated the next few months of his life to refining his acting skills and overcoming his noticeable Bahamian accent. He was accepted on his second attempt to enter the theatre.

Poitier made his Broadway debut in 1946, in an all-black production of 'Lysistrata', and moved into films four years later, with 'No Way Out'. His impressive turn in 1955's gritty 'The Blackboard Jungle' brought him closer to stardom and, in 1958, he earned his first Academy Award nomination, in Stanley Kramer's 'The Defiant Ones'.

The film's focus on racial politics, as well as his increasing popularity, made Poitier a key figure in the civil rights movement. For 1963's 'The Lilies of the Field', he made history as the first African-American actor to win an Oscar in a leading role.

Poitier continued to make racially provocative films, appearing in Kramer's 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' as the black fiancé of a white woman.

In 1969, Poitier founded the First Artists Production Company and, in 1972, announced his directorial debut with 'Buck and the Preacher'. He directed and starred in his next three films.

Poitier was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1974. The honour entitles him to use the title "Sir", though he usually chooses not to do so.

After directing the 1980 comedy, 'Stir Crazy’, Poitier began to reduce his workload; after two more features, he disappeared from filmmaking altogether for the next few years. In 1988, Poitier appeared onscreen for the first time in over a decade, in the thriller, 'Shoot to Kill'. Eight years later, he starred in the long-awaited follow-up to his '67 success, 'To Sir With Love', in TV's 'To Sir With Love 2'.

As an actor, director, and producer, he forever altered the racial perceptions held by both film audiences and executives, rising to superstar status in an industry dominated on both sides of the camera by whites, while becoming the first African-American ever to take home an Oscar for Best Actor.

Poitier’s first marriage to Juanita Hardy lasted from 1950 until1965. He married his second wife, Canadian-born actress Joanna Shimkus, in 1976. He has four children by his first marriage and two children by his second marriage, all girls.
Sidney Poitier biography




Sidney Poitier biography



The Last Brickmaker in America (2001) (TV)

The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (1999) (TV)

Free of Eden (1999) (TV)

David and Lisa (1998) (TV)

The Jackal (1997)

Mandela and de Klerk (1997) (TV)

To Sir, with Love II (1996) (TV)

Children of the Dust (1995) (TV)

Sneakers (1992)

Separate But Equal (1991) (TV)

Little Nikita (1988)

Shoot to Kill (1988)

A Piece of the Action (1977)

Let's Do It Again (1975)

The Wilby Conspiracy (1975)

Uptown Saturday Night (1974)

A Warm December (1973)

Buck and the Preacher (1972)

The Organization (1971)

Brother John (1971)

They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970)

The Lost Man (1969)

For Love of Ivy (1968)

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

To Sir, with Love (1967)

Duel at Diablo (1966)

The Slender Thread (1965)

A Patch of Blue (1965)

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

The Bedford Incident (1965)

The Long Ships (1964)

Lilies of the Field (1963)

Pressure Point (1962)

Paris Blues (1961)

A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

All the Young Men (1960)

Porgy and Bess (1959)

The Defiant Ones (1958)

Virgin Island (1958)

The Mark of the Hawk (1957)

Band of Angels (1957)

Something of Value (1957)

Edge of the City (1957)

Good-bye, My Lady (1956)

"The Philco Television Playhouse" (2 episodes, 1952-1955)

"Kraft Television Theatre" (1 episode, 1955)

Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Go, Man, Go! (1954)

Red Ball Express (1952)

Cry, the Beloved Country (1951)

No Way Out (1950)

Sepia Cinderella (1947) (uncredited)
Sidney Poitier biography

Denis Leary Thu 28th Aug - 8:00PM

Petula Clark - This Is My Song Thu 28th Aug - 7:00PM

My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding 7 Thu 28th Aug - 6:30PM