SIDNEY POITIER, 94 YEARS OLD

Before Haley Berry made Academy history, Sidney L. Poitier pioneered the monumental moment. He takes credit for being the very first Bahamian – American to win an Oscar in the Best Actor category and being the oldest surviving Academy winner. His winning and critically appraised role was that of Homer Smith in the film Lilies of the Field, which was based on the 1962 novel of William Edmund Barett. He is also praised for being a Grammy, BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards winner.

During his prime, he was a very versatile talent, jump-starting his career with theoretical success in Broadway in the production Lysistrata and later on starred in his breakout film Blackboard Jungle. He has also had films and documentaries based on his trailblazing experience in Hollywood, like An Outsider in Hollywood. He has also published three autobiographical books. Apart from his acting career, he was appointed as the ambassador of the Bahamas.