Touching tributes from Hollywood and around the world have poured in following the death of the iconic actor Sidney Poitier on January 6, aged 94.
Poitier broke racial barriers as the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Lead Performance and inspired a generation during the civil rights movement.
Poitier’s death was confirmed by an official from the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper told ABC News he was “conflicted with great sadness and a sense of celebration when I learned of the passing of Sir Sidney Poitier”.
“Sadness that he would no longer be here to tell him how much he means to us, but celebration that he did so much to show the world that those from the humblest beginnings can change the world and that we gave him his flowers while he was with us,” he said.
Notable figures from the world of entertainment and politics were quick to pay tribute to the trailblazing actor.
US talk show host Oprah Winfrey posted a photo of her and Poitier hugging alongside the caption, “For me, the greatest of the “Great Trees” has fallen: Sidney Poitier. My honor to have loved him as a mentor. Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher. The utmost, highest regard and praise for his most magnificent, gracious, eloquent life. I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish. Blessings to Joanna and his world of beautiful
daughters.”
Former US President Barack Obama acknowledged Poitier’s “groundbreaking roles” and talent in a post to Twitter.
Former US Secretary of State and 2016 Presidential nominee Hilary Clinton shared a photo of her shaking hands with Poitier at an official engagement alongside the caption, “We were all so lucky to share a culture with Sidney Poitier, and benefit from his hand in shaping it”.
Acor Morgan Freeman called Poitier his “inspiration” while “sending love” to his family.
Denzle Washington issued a statement upon hearing of Poitier’s death.
“It was a privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend. He was a gentleman and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years. God bless him and his family,” he said in a statement.