TRIBUTES are pouring in for Sidney Poitier, who has died at age 94. Poitier was an Oscar-winning actor, director, civil rights activist and humanitarian.
He opened doors for racial minorities in film many years before the #OscarsSoWhite and Black Lives Matter movements.
Actor Harry Belafonte, in a statement, said: "For over 80 years, Sidney and I laughed, cried and made as much mischief as we could. He was truly my brother and partner in trying to make this world a little better. He certainly made mine a whole lot better."
"It was a privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend. He was a gentleman and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years. God bless him and his family," said Denzel Washington, in a statement, reported Deadline.
Former President Barack Obama tweeted: "Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomised dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors."
"My honour to have loved him as a mentor. Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher. The utmost, highest regard and praise for his most magnificent, gracious, eloquent life. I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish," said Oprah Winfrey, on Instagram.
Musician Lenny Kravitz tweeted: "Sir #SidneyPoitier, your brilliant light will never dim. The doors you opened and paths you created will continue to make way for those with a dream. You showed the world that with vision and grace, all is possible."
Westworld actor Jeffrey Wright tweeted, “What a landmark actor”. “One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.”
In an Instagram post, Questlove called Poitier “One of the greatest actors of his generation”. “You already know I can spew paragraphs of what his activism represented especially in a time that his accolades were happening during the civil rights era – but man this is more of a personal reflect because of the bonding his 70s movies did for my family & I. Rest In Peace. ??And thank you,” he wrote.
Whoopi Goldberg shared lyrics from 'To Sir, With Love', the title song from Poitier’s 1967 film. “If you wanted the sky i would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high..To Sir…with Love,” adding “He showed us how to reach for the stars.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt tweeted: “Sidney Poitier. An absolute legend. One of the greats.” He uploaded photos, including one of President Barack Obama awarding Poitier the Presidential Medal of Freedom. – The Vibes, January 8, 2022
Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans. pic.twitter.com/zkYKFSxfKA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2022
Sidney was my inspiration, my guiding light, my friend. Sending love to Joanna and his family. pic.twitter.com/0UzVIyeJZV
— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier was an exceptional artist and an extraordinary human being who created change and influence with grace and courage. It was a thrill to have him join in celebrating my 87th birthday and arts fundraising event. Truly one of a kind and he will be missed. pic.twitter.com/SeUxpVChjG
— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) January 7, 2022
He is one of the greatest actors of all time. His legacy is immortal and an inspiration to us all.#RIPSidneyPoitier pic.twitter.com/jhx5OHMeET
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier, my childhood idol, lifelong inspiration & star of some of my favourite films...
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) January 7, 2022
Forever your fan & admirer…
Rest In Peace ? pic.twitter.com/tN3pXKxt3W
Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) January 7, 2022
(?Sam Falk/NYT) pic.twitter.com/5ZaKxxPdxw
Sir #SidneyPoitier, your brilliant light will never dim. The doors you opened and paths you created will continue to make way for those with a dream. You showed the world that with vision and grace, all is possible.
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) January 7, 2022
?: Mathieu Bitton pic.twitter.com/Y0agy7P7Gg
Immediately dispelling the perverted, obscene, and misinformed notion of white supremacy in every beautifully human, artistic and dignified way = Sidney Poitier. https://t.co/aU4ptHBKCx
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 7, 2022
He once caught me following him. He said “little girl what do you want” I muttered “can I have your autograph”. From that day he always called me little girl and asked if I wanted his autograph. It was something we laughed about. He was my hero & great friend. May he RIP ❤️. https://t.co/yQhuiDCZse
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) January 7, 2022
RIP Sidney Poitier, 94.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 7, 2022
When he answered an ad for actors, as an illiterate young man, the theatre owner sneered: ‘Go be a dishwasher.’
Sidney already was a dishwasher.
Stung by the jibe, he vowed to prove him wrong.
He became the first black man to win the Best Actor Oscar. pic.twitter.com/JNpBWi8nwk
If you wanted the sky i would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high..
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 7, 2022
To Sir… with Love
Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P.
He showed us how to reach for the stars
We were all so lucky to share a culture with Sidney Poitier, and benefit from his hand in shaping it. pic.twitter.com/bJaQYFCI1u
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 7, 2022
RIP to a true gentlemen, legend, and the first African-American Academy Award winner for Best Actor Sidney Poitier. pic.twitter.com/FsKO8nQb7l
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2022
We send our condolences to the friends and family of Sir Sidney Poitier - a screen legend, the first Black actor to win a BAFTA in 1959 and recipient of our highest honour, the Fellowship. Read more about his remarkable career and achievements: https://t.co/lUOq2olcu8 pic.twitter.com/ut9Dxrxe38
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) January 7, 2022
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Sidney Poitier. He was an incredible talent who starred in many MGM films, including The Defiant Ones, Paris Blues, & his Oscar winning performance in Lilies Of The Field. We send our condolences to his family & fans around the world pic.twitter.com/vYJrwP3m6Q
— MGM Studios (@mgmstudios) January 7, 2022
