Washington: Hollywood stars such as Tyler Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, among others took to social media on Friday and paid tribute to Sidney Poitier, who has died at 94.
Poitier had starred in many trailblazing films, such as ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’, ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘They Call Me Mister Tibbs’.
Giving his tribute on Instagram, Perry wrote, “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. 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,” he added.
Questlove called Poitier “A king.” He said, “One of the greatest actors of his generation. We all have our Poitier era. Growing up in the ’70s I’d have to say that maybe ‘Uptown Saturday Night’ was the first movie I ever watched. (The trilogy of Uptown/Again/Piece of was a staple/steady diet in every ’70s household). You already know I can spew paragraphs of what his activism represented, especially in a time that his accolades were happening during the civil rights era — but man, this is more of a personal reflect because of the bonding his ’70s movies did for my family and I. Rest in peace. And thank you.”
Goldberg said in her tribute that Poitier “showed us how to reach for the stars.” She tweeted, “If you wanted the sky i would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high.. To Sir… with Love Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P. He showed us how to reach for the stars.”
Actor Jeffrey Wright paid tribute by calling Poitier a “landmark actor.” He wrote, “Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.
Tina Knowles said, “Sir Sidney Poitier will be sadly missed by the whole world! He was a true class act! A trailblazer for Black leading men. Handsome, talented and oh so gracious. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and speaking to him several times. Praying for his family. RIP Sir.”
Coleman Domingo posted, “When you say the name Sidney Poitier, there was always such reverence and humanity attached to that name.”
Davis wrote, “This is a big one. No words can describe how your work radically shifted my life. The dignity, normalcy, strength, excellence and sheer electricity you brought to your roles showed us that we, as Black folks, mattered!!! It was an honor…”
“Sidney Poitier. An absolute legend. One of the greats,” tweeted Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Poitier, the pioneering actor and director who became the first bankable Black leading man in Hollywood, broke multiple racial barriers in his decades-long career, including when he became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award, for his role in 1963’s ‘Lilies of the Field’.
In January of this year, Arizona State University has named its new film school after him. The Sidney Poitier New American Film School was unveiled at a virtual ceremony.
The star’s death was confirmed to Fox News on Friday by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joanna and six daughters.
