Profile of the Day: Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Happy birthday to Sidney Poitier! Today the acting legend turns 92.

Poitier was born two months premature on February 20, 1927 while his Bahamian parents were visiting Miami, Florida. The family remained in Miami for three months before returning to the Bahamas. As a teen, Poitier returned to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II after lying about his age.

In 1950, Poitier made his screen debut in the film No Way Out. He soon experienced much success as an actor and scored his first Academy Award nomination for the 1958 drama The Defiant Ones. He made history in 1964 when he became the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film Lilies of the Field.

In 2009, President Barack Obama awarded Poitier with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

What’s your favorite Sidney Poitier movie?

Explore Sidney Poitier’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the Hollywood icon.
 

View Sidney Poitier’s Geni Profile

Image: Wikimedia Commons