Sidney Poitier
Olivia Pieper
Childhood
Sidney Poitier was born on February 20, 1927 in Miami, but liked on Cat Island in the Bahamas. He received very little formal education since his family was very poor. When he was 15, he was sent to Miami to live with his brother. At age 18, he moved to New York to work menial job. In New York he slept on a bus terminal toilet. He worked at a Veteran's Hospital which gave him a little bit in the US Army.
15 Biggest Stars of the 1960s
Sidney Poitier
Poitier holding his Academy Award.
Acting Career
When he first auditioned at the American Negro Theater he was denied, but after his second audition, he starred in "Lysistrata". After that he starred in many other famous films. Poitier starred in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "To Sir, with Love" to break down social barriers between the African Americans and whites. He became the first black male to win an Academy Award for best actor, and the first African American to win an Oscar for a leading role. He also became a director and producer.