Posted by | Ray Cornelius
VARIETY is reporting that TV and film icon Sir Sidney Poitier will receive BAFTA’s (The British Academy of Film and Televison Arts) highest award, the Fellowhsip, on February 14 at their annual awards ceremony.
The 88-year-old actor, director, diplomat, and author will be recognized for his “outstanding and exceptional contribution to film and television.”
“Sidney is a luminary of film whose outstanding talent in front of the camera, and important work in other fields, has made him one of the most important figures of his generation. His determination to pursue his dreams is an inspirational story for young people starting out in the industry today. By recognising Sidney with the Fellowship at the film awards on Sunday 14 February, BAFTA will be honoring one of cinema’s true greats,” said Amanda Berry, chief executive of BAFTA.
Poitier broke racial barriers in television and film during the 1950’s and 60’s and was one of Hollywood’s most sought after Black actors. He has appeared in such groundbreaking films as “To Sir With Love,” “Porgy and Bess,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “The Defiant Ones,” as well as “A Patch of Blue” and the Lorraine Hansberry classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” He also starred in a string of hit films during the 1970’s with Bill Cosby including “Uptown Saturday Night,” “A Piece of the Action” and my personal favorite “Let’s Do It Again!”
Poitier is the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Actor in 1964. He also has a Golden Globe and is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Congrats Sir Poitier!
Photo Credit: OWN.com