Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win the Best Actor Oscar, has passed away aged 94. His death was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Fred Mitchell. The late star also had two more Academy Award nominations, and was a ten-time Golden Globes nominee. He was perhaps best known for starring in films including Lilies of the Field, which won him the Oscar, To Sir, With Love and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
Speaking about his passing, Bahamas Prime Minister Chester Cooper said: "[I was] conflicted with great sadness and a sense of celebration when I learned of the passing of Sir Sidney Poitier.
Sidney has passed away aged 94
"Sadness that he would no longer be here to tell him how much he means to us, but celebration that he did so much to show the world that those from the humblest beginnings can change the world and that we gave him his flowers while he was with us. We have lost an icon; a hero, a mentor, a fighter, a national treasure."
Fans and admirers of Sidney have flooded to Twitter to pay their respects, with one person writing: "Sir Sidney Poitier has passed away at age 94. Trailblazer. Icon. Legend. 1st Black man & 1st Bahamian man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Rest in Love, Rest in Paradise, Rest in Power. Thank you, Sir Sidney Poitier."
He won an Oscar for Liles of the Field in 1964
Westworld actor Jeffrey Wright added: "Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love."
The actor is survived by five daughters, Anika, Sydney, Beverly, Pamela and Sherri. His daughter Gina Poitier-Gouraige very sadly passed away back in 2018, aged 57.
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