Sidney Poitier was a source of inspiration for many.
Poitier, who became the first black person to win the Oscar for best actor for his role in “Lilies of the Field” (1963), has been cited as inspiration by James Earl Jones, Robert Townsend and Quincy Jones, among many others. . He died just over a month before his 95th birthday.
When news of his death broke on Friday, people took to social media to express their gratitude for his craft and deep regret for his loss.
Cameron Bailey, executive director of the Toronto International Film Festival, expressed what Poitier meant to him.
Nuances and power, humor and courage – Sidney Poitier had it all. Imagine what it was like to see it on the big screen in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Every word, every gesture was an inspiration. “
Timothy J. Fair said on Twitter: “Before there was Denzel Washington, Will Smith or Michael B. Jordan, there was Sidney Poitier, who will be remembered for his limitless portfolio of work and an irrefutable impact on film, culture and being. human. Rights. Long live your memory ”.
Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg tweeted: “If you wanted the sky, I would write letters in the sky that would soar a thousand feet high. To the Lord … with love Sir Sidney Poitier RIP He showed us how to reach for the stars ”.
Bernice King, daughter of the late Martin Luther King Jr., reflected on Poitier’s influence far beyond the screen and posted a photo of him at the Poor People’s Campaign march in Washington, DC in May 1968.
Oprah also took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Poitier, calling him a friend and mentor.
Reference-www.thestar.com