Tributes have been paid to groundbreaking Hollywood star Sidney Poitier after his death at the age of 94.
The Bahamian-American actor was known for films including In The Heat Of The Night, Blackboard Jungle and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner – and was the first black man to win the Oscar for best actor.
The Prime Minister of the Bahamas paid tribute to him as "a cultural icon, an actor and film director, civil and human rights activist and a diplomat" and said the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and its embassies.
Barack Obama said actor Sidney Poitier "epitomised dignity and grace" in a tribute following his death at 94.
Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans. pic.twitter.com/zkYKFSxfKA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2022
The former US president said on Twitter: "Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomised dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans."
Jeffrey Wright, Whoopi Goldberg and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were also among those paying tribute.
Bond star Wright said on Twitter: "Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love."
Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) January 7, 2022
(📷Sam Falk/NYT) pic.twitter.com/5ZaKxxPdxw
Goldberg quoted the lyrics to the song To Sir With Love, which soundtracked Poitier’s 1967 film.
She said on Twitter: "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."
Gordon-Levitt described him as "An absolute legend. One of the greats".
Bob Iger, former chairman of the Walt Disney Company, also paid tribute.
He tweeted: "Former @disney board member Sidney Poitier was the most dignified man I’ve ever met. Towering… gentle… passionate… bold… kind… altogether special."
Star Trek actor George Takei said Poitier was a "trailblazer who will be mourned by so many for whom he opened the very doors of Hollywood".
Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win an Oscar, has died at the age of 94. 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.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 7, 2022
The British Film Institute added: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sidney Poitier, the legendary actor, director and diplomat who led a life of remarkable achievements, both on screen and off."
Viola Davis described his death as "a big one".
She added on Instagram: "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 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."
The Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, held a press conference during which he reflected on Poitier’s legacy.
He said: "Our whole Bahamas grieves. But even as we mourn, we celebrate the life of a great Bahamian.
"A cultural icon, an actor and film director, civil and human rights activist and a diplomat.
"We admire the man not just because of his colossal achievements, but also because of who he was.
"His strength of character, his willingness to stand up and be counted and the way he plotted and navigated his life’s journey.
"The boy who moved from the tomato farm to become a waiter in the United States, a young man who not only taught himself to read and write, but who made the expression of words and thoughts and feelings central to his career."
