Celebrities are mourning Sir Sidney Poitier following the news of his death. The beloved Hollywood actor, who was the first Black man to win a best actor Oscar, died the evening of Jan. 6 at age 94, according to Clint Watson, press secretary for the prime minister of the Bahamas. Sidney is regarded as a trailblazer in cinema, whose excellence and grace were treasured by those who witnessed his masterful artistry.
Many stars have paid tribute to Sidney over the years, specifically crediting him for paving the way for Black actors to thrive in the entertainment industry. Denzel Washington, who has always admired Sidney’s outstanding achievements, presented the late actor with an honorary award at the 2002 Oscars, saying, “Before Sidney, African-American actors had to take supporting roles in major studio films that were easy to cut out in certain parts of the country. But you couldn’t cut Sidney Poitier out of a Sidney Poitier picture. He was the reason a movie got made, the first solo, above-the-title African-American movie star.”
Jeffrey Wright was among the bunch of celebrities who gave Sidney his proper flowers on Friday, calling him a “beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man.” Viola Davis also noted the “dignity, normalcy, strength, excellence, and sheer electricity” Sidney brought to the big screen. Following Sidney’s death, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper told ABC News he was “conflicted with great sadness and a sense of celebration when I learned of the passing of Sir Sidney Poitier.”
Ahead, read how other celebrities are remembering the late star.
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Tyler Perry
“Around this time last year Cicely Tyson was releasing her book and promoting it. I had no idea she would pass away shortly thereafter. Now, to wake up this morning to a call that Sidney Poitier has passed away . . . all I can tell you is that my heart broke in another place,” Tyler captioned an Instagram post, alongside a series of photos with Sidney. “The grace and class that this man has shown throughout his entire life, the example he set for me, not only as a Black man but as a human being will never be forgotten. There is no man in this business who has been more of a North Star for me than Sidney Poitier. I’ll never forget inviting him and Cicely to fly to South Africa with me. Selfishly, I wanted to hold them both captive for the hours long trip as I literally sat at their feet and listened to their wisdom and experiences. It was life changing. All I can say is thank you for your life, thank you for your example, and thank you for your incredible gift. But most of all, thank you for being willing to share YOU to make us all better.”
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Viola Davis
“This is a big one. No words can describe how your work radically shifted my life,” Viola captioned an Instagram post featuring a photo of her posed alongside Sidney. “The dignity, normalcy, strength, excellence and sheer electricity you brought to your roles showed us that we, as Black folks, mattered!!! It was an honour for my husband and I to share lunch with you at Spagos. You told us,’If your dreams do not scare you, they’re not big enough’! I put this quote on my daughter’s wall. Rest well Mr. Poitier. Thank you! Thank you for leaving a legacy. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
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Jeffrey Wright
“Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor,” Jeffrey remarked in a tweet with a photo of the late actor. “One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.”
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Whoopi Goldberg
“If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high.. ,” Whoopi wrote in a tweet. “To Sir… with Love. Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P. He showed us how to reach for the stars.”
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Taraji P. Henson
“Rest easy King ? #sidneypoitier,” Taraji wrote in an Instagram post. “Thank you for kicking down the doors. Thank you will never be enough for your blood sweat tears and determination. REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE!!! We will tell the generations to come about your legacy!!!”
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Lenny Kravitz
“Sir Sidney, your brilliant light will never dim,” Lenny wrote in an Instagram caption, alongside a photo of him, Sidney, and Denzel Washington. “The doors you opened and paths you created will continue to make way for those with a dream. You showed the world that with vision and grace, all is possible. Your excellence will always be the benchmark. Rest in divine peace, Bahamian King. My love and condolences go out to your beautiful family.”
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Octavia Spencer
“I will never forget the occasion where I met Mr. Poitier,” Octavia began in an Instagram post. “I had just won an award and he and Helen Mirren were walking through the kitchen to the stage to present. When I have an overload of adrenaline it has an adverse affect. I can’t bend my knees. So, there I am with my heels and an award in my hands, shell shocked and sweaty, GLARING at the two of them. I was searching for the one word to say but couldn’t remember any. I must’ve been a pitiful sight because he stopped with the biggest smile and congratulated me. I finally blurted out I love you… both. He told me he expected great things from me. There’s something about hearing those words from a pioneer that changes you! Thank you, Mr. Poitier!! I’ve been riding high ever since!!”
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Loni Love
“What a thrill it was to meet the legendary actor Sidney Poitier,” she tweeted with a photo of her and Sidney, right next to a picture of him holding his Oscar. “He made us all feel proud and was an inspiration to us in an industry that at times could not be welcoming.. thank you Mr. Poitier rest well.”
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Garcelle Beauvais
“Mr Poitier thank you for your Legacy!!” Garcelle wrote in an Instagram post with a selfie of her and Sidney. “You showed us what it means to be great! Rest in Power.”
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George Takei
“Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win an Oscar, has died at the age of 94,” George wrote in a tweet. “The star of Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner and Lilies of the Field, for which he won Best Actor, was a trailblazer who will be mourned by so many for whom he opened the very doors of Hollywood.”
