Sidney Poitier (February 20, 1927 – January 6, 2022) was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, and diplomat. He was the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in Lilies of the Field (1963). Poitier broke racial barriers in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s, starring in groundbreaking films such as In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Known for his dignity and grace, he became a symbol of the civil rights movement. He also served as Bahamas' ambassador to Japan and UNESCO. In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
