Sidney Poitier
The Oscar winner is dead
Sidney Poitier was 94 years old.
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Sir Sidney Poitier is dead. The first African American to win an Oscar for Leading Actor died at the age of 94.
In 1964 he made history: Sidney Poitier was honored for his performance in “Lilien auf dem Felde” with an Oscar for “Best Actor” – as the first African American. Poitier has now died at the age of 94. This was confirmed according to several media Bahamas Secretary of State Fred Mitchell, 68, said: “We have lost a great Bahamian and I have lost a good friend.”
Poitier was from the Bahamas, but was born during a visit to the United States and was therefore a US citizen. After various engagements at the theater, his Hollywood career began in 1950 with “The Hatred is Blind”. His most important works include “Lilien auf dem Felde” and “Flucht in Ketten” (1958), “In der Wärme der Nacht” (1967) and “Sneakers – Die Lautlosen” (1992). He last appeared in front of the camera in 2001 in the TV movie “The Last Brickmaker in America”.
A director and sir
Poitier also made a name for himself as a director. He made nine films between 1972 and 1990. Including “Tricked Out” (1977) and “Zwei Wahnsinnig strong guys” (1980). Most recently he was director of “Ghost Dad” from 1990.
Since Poitier, as a citizen of the Bahamas, was also part of the British Commonwealth, he was able to receive another honor in 1974. For his services as an actor he was awarded the title Knight Commander of the British Empire and was henceforth allowed to call himself Sir Sidney Poitier.