Sidney Poitier

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
• 1963: Sidney Poitier, Lilies of the Field


Sidney Poitier (born February 20, 1927) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy-winning actor, film director, and activist. In 1963, Poitier became the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Lilies of the Field. In 1967, Poitier starred in three films - To Sir, With Love, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - making him the top box office star of that year. Poitier has directed a number of movies including Uptown Saturday Night, Let's Do It Again, and Stir Crazy.

In 2002, 38 years after receiving the Best Actor Academy Award, Poitier was chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive the Honorary Award for his lifetime accomplishments as an artist and activist.