Sidney Poitier

Did You Know?

• Sidney is married to Joanna Shimkus and they have two children, Anika and Sydney.
• Sidney has four children from his first marriage to Juanita Hardy. His daughters are Beverly, Pamela, Sherri and Gina.
• Sidney was born in Miami while his parents visited the mainland but he grew up on Cat Island in the Bahamas.
• Sidney grew up in poverty and when he was 15 his parents sent him to Miami to live with his brother. They wanted him to get a formal education.
• Sidney went to New York when he was 18, took on odd jobs and then auditioned at the American Negro Theatre. The theatre made it clear to Sidney he was not cut out for acting.
• Sidney returned for another audition six months later with less of an accent and some practice. He was accepted this time.
• Sidney published his autobiography in 1980 titled, 'This Life.'
• Sidney was honored with an Honorary Oscar in 2002 for his accomplishments and influence on film.

Movie Highlights

Lilies Of The Field (1963)
Sidney was the first African-American to win an Academy Award. His portrayal of Homer Smith in Lilies (1963) of the Field earned him the statue.

Actor Credits

1. The Sidney Poitier Collection (2009)
2. Tell Them Who You Are (2005)
3. The Simple Life Of Noah Dearborn (1999)
4. David And Lisa (1998)
5. Free Of Eden (1998)
6. The Jackal (1997)
7. Mandela And De Klerk (1997)
8. To Sir, With Love II (1996)
9. Children Of The Dust (1995)
10. A Good Day To Die (1995)
11. Sneakers (1992)
12. Separate But Equal (1991)
13. Shoot To Kill (1988)
14. Little Nikita (1988)
15. A Piece Of The Action (1977)
16. Let's Do It Again (1975)
17. The Wilby Conspiracy (1975)
18. Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
19. A Warm December (1973)
20. Buck And The Preacher (1972)
21. The Organization (1971)
22. Brother John (1971)
23. They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970)
24. The Lost Man (1969)
25. For Love Of Ivy (1968)
26. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967)
27. To Sir, With Love (1967)
28. In The Heat Of The Night (1967)
29. Duel At Diablo (1966)
30. The Slender Thread (1965)
31. A Patch Of Blue (1965)
32. The Bedford Incident (1965)
33. The Long Ships (1964)
34. Lilies Of The Field (1963)
35. Pressure Point (1962)
36. A Raisin In The Sun (1961)
37. Paris Blues (1961)
38. All The Young Men (1960)
39. Porgy And Bess (1959)
40. The Mark Of The Hawk (1958)
41. The Defiant Ones (1958)
42. Virgin Island (1958)
43. Band Of Angels (1957)
44. Edge Of The City (1957)
45. Something Of Value (1957)
46. Goodbye, My Lady (1956)
47. Blackboard Jungle (1955)
48. Go, Man, Go! (1954)
49. Red Ball Express (1952)
50. Cry, The Beloved Country (1951)
51. No Way Out (1950)

Director Credits