Sidney

Hollywood icon, Sidney Poitier is popularly known for being the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in Lilies of the Field. He is a renowned actor and film director. He has directed many well-known films.

Well, how well do you know about Sidney Poitier? If not much, we have compiled all you need to know about Sidney Poitier’s net worth in 2021, his age, height, weight, wife, kids, biography and complete details about his life. Well, if you’re all set, here is what we know about Sidney Poitier to date.

Biography and Early Life

Sidney Poitier was born in Miami, Florida, United States on 20^th February 1927. He was the youngest among his seven siblings. His father, Reginald James Poitier, was a farmer who owned a tomato farm and he used to sell his farm products in Miami. His mother’s name is Evelyn Poitier. Growing up they had a lot of financial short-comings. During a holiday trip to Miami, Poitier was born prematurely. As he was born in the USA, he got an American citizenship.

Poitier spent his childhood in Bahamas and at the age of 10, his family moved to Nassau. By the age of 15 he was sent to Miami and he subsequently started doing jobs in hotels in New York.

Age, Height, Weight & Body Measurement

So, how old is Sidney Poitier in 2021 and what is his height and weight? Well, Sidney Poitier’s age is 94 years old as of today’s date 2nd August 2021 having been born on 20 February 1927. Though, he is 6′ 2″ in feet and inches and 188 cm in Centimetres tall, he weighs about 213 lbs in Pound and 97 kg in Kilograms.

Education

Not much information is provided about Poitier’s educational background. However, he was a dedicated and self-disciplined kid growing up.

Personal Life: Dating, Girlfriends, Wife, Kids

Moving to his personal life, Sidney was previously married to Juanita Hardy for over a decade. Their relationship however ended in 1965. He was also in a relationship with American actress Diahann Carroll.

In 1976, he tied the knot with Joanna Shimkus who was also an actress. The duo had six daughters together namely, Sidney Tamiia Poitier, Anika Poitier, Gina Poitier, Beverly Poitier-Henderson, Sherri Poitier and Pamela Poitier. Four of them are from his first marriage. Her daughter Sydney Tamiia is also a popular TV and movie actress. Additionally, Poitier is a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

When Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019, Poitier’s family lost about 23 relatives.

Is Sidney Poitier Gay?

Sidney is straight as far as his sexual orientation is concerned. He is happily married to Evelyn and together they have six daughters. He has showed no interest in men in the past.

Professional Career

Poitier started his acting career from the American Negro Theatre where he first rejected by the audiences. He sharpened his skills and eventually got the leading role in Lysistrata produced by Broadway. In the year 1950, his first film No Way Out was released where he played the role of a doctor. He started getting many offer and did so well in the roles he played. He had three commercial success films in 1967.His last work was a documentary he did in 2008 named, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. Moreover, Sidney also worked in television.

His career as a film director officially started in 1972 where he directed Buck and the Preacher as his first work. He has also directed A Warm December, Fast Forward and Ghost Dad, Uptown Saturday Night, Let’s Do It Again, A piece of the Action, Stir Crazy, Hanky Panky. Among these the Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder comedy, Stir Crazy was his most successful one and is the highest grossing film directed by an African-American.

Between 1995 to 2003, Poitier served as a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company.

Awards

Throughout his career as an American actor and film director, Poitier has won several awards due to his constant dedication and unique work. He received the 2001 Honorary Academy Award for his overall contribution to American cinema. Similarly, he became the second black actor to win the Denzel Washington award for Best Actor for his performance in Training Day.

In 2009, Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.

In 1999, he was ranked 22^nd among the male actors on the “100 Years…100 Stars”.

On 2012, he became the oldest man to have won the Academy Award for Best Actor after the death of Ernest Borgnine.

In March 2014, he was given a standing ovation when he appeared with Angelina Jolie at the 86^th Academy Awards to present the Best Director Award.

In total, his list of awards includes 2 Academy Awards nominations, 10 Golden Globes nominations, 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, 6 BAFTA nominations, 8 Laurel nominations and one Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations.

Net Worth, Salary & Earnings of Sidney Poitier in 2021

Having been in the film industry for decades, Poitier has a whooping estimated worth of about $25 million as of 2021. The majority of his wealth comes from his career as an actor and a film director. He currently leads a lavish lifestyle thanks to his massive wealth.

Some Interesting Facts You Need to Know

• He has three autobiographies, Life Beyond Measure- Letters to my Great Granddaughter and This Life, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography.
• He was once appointed as the ambassador on behalf of the Bahamas to Japan from 1997-2007.

Sidney is undoubtedly a great icon figure to reckon with. Despite the hardships he faced growing up, he has worked hard and consistently to get to where he is today. Having been in the film industry for quite some time, he has proven that practice makes perfect as he always risen above his challenges. He is such a great motivation to upcoming youths and artists.