From Weigel: DECADES Network remembers renowned actor and director Sidney Poitier with an episode of” The Dick Cavett Show” on Monday, January 10 at 9 p.m. ET. In this rare interview from 1972, Poitier discusses his directorial debut “Buck and the Preacher” and is joined by co-star and friend Harry Belafonte.
MOVIES! Network will present Mr. Poitier’s first credited screen role, “No Way Out,” on Monday, February 7. The network will also air a special Icon-A-Thon presentation of three of Mr. Poitier’s films on Monday, February 28: “No Way Out,” “Edge of the City” and “Blackboard Jungle.”
Recognized as one of the finest performers in American history and a trailblazer who broke down barriers for Black actors, Mr. Poitier’s groundbreaking career spanned decades and shattered stereotypes. He made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best actor and he became a major box office draw. Poitier, who rejected film roles based on offensive racial stereotypes, earned acclaim for portraying dignified, keenly intelligent men in 1960s landmarks such as Lilies of the Field, A Patch of Blue, To Sir, With Love, In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Sydney Poitier died today at the age of 94.