The household of Hollywood trailblazer Sidney Poitier paid tribute to the late star, calling him a ‘guiding gentle’ for his or her household as Denzel Washington and different actors additionally cited the Oscar winner as a supply of inspiration.
In an announcement about Poitier, who died on Thursday night time in his Los Angeles house at age 94, his youngsters mentioned they had been ‘so grateful he was in a position to spend his final day surrounded by his household and pals.’
‘To us Sidney Poitier was not solely a superb actor, activist, and a person of unimaginable grace and ethical fortitude, he was additionally a loyal and loving husband, a supportive and adoring father, and a person who at all times put household first,’ the assertion learn.
‘He’s our guiding gentle who lit up our lives with infinite love and marvel. His smile was therapeutic, his hugs the warmest refuge, and his laughter was infectious.’
The household of the late Sidney Poitier (pictured throughout his birthday in 2019) mentioned they had been mourning the lack of the Hollywood trailblazer who served as a ‘guiding gentle’
Within the final identified picture of him, Poitier is seen left in February 2021 celebrating his 94th birthday along with his daughter. Proper, he’s at his 92nd birthday in 2019
Poitier died at 94 inside his Los Angeles house on Thursday night time. His pictured with daughters Anika and Sydney in 2016
Poitner, the primary black man to win an Oscar for greatest actor, is image with (L-R) daughter Anikia, spouse Joanna Shimkus and daughters Sydney
Sidney Poitier was survived by his spouse, six daughters, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He’s pictured on the 2014 Vainness Honest Oscars Occasion with one in every of his daughters
The household added that they had been at present experiencing a ‘deep sense of loss and unhappiness’ over Poitier’s passing, which was confirmed by the Bahama’s Minister of International Affairs, Fred Mitchell, on Friday morning. The reason for dying is just not but identified.
Poitier is survived by his spouse, Joanna Shimkus, six daughters, eight grand youngsters and a handful of great-grandchildren. He was preceded in dying by his daughter, Gina, who died in 2018.
‘Though he’s now not right here with us on this realm, his lovely soul will proceed to information and encourage us,’ his household mentioned.
‘He’ll dwell on in us, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren — in each stomach chuckle, each curious inquiry, each act of compassion and kindness.
‘His legacy will dwell on on this planet, persevering with to encourage not solely along with his unimaginable physique of labor, however much more so along with his humanity.
‘We wish to prolong our deepest appreciation to each single one in every of you for the outpouring of affection from world wide. So many have been touched by our dad’s extraordinary life, his unwavering sense of decency and respect for his fellow man. His religion in humanity by no means faltered, so know that for all of the love you’ve got proven him, he cherished you again,’ the assertion concludes.
Sidney Poitier was married to Joanna Shimkus, who he had six daughters with
Poitner is image with (L-R) daughters Anikia and Sydney and spouse Joanna Shimkus in the course of the twelfth annnual Carousel of Hope Ball in Beverley Hills in 2000
The household attended the occasion once more in 2004 as Poitier stayed shut along with his youngsters
His daughters mentioned the late actor would stay as a relentless supply of inspiration for his or her household and others. Members of the Poitier household are pictured in 1982 at their NYC house
Sidney Poitier’s daughter, Ainika, shared photographs of her dad elevating her and her sister, Sidney
Sidney Poitier and his six daughters in an undated picture from Arizona State College
Washington was additionally the most recent in A-Listing stars to pay tribute to the late actor, who was the primary black man to win a greatest actor Oscar in 1964, paving the way in which for Washington to nab his personal Oscar in 2002.
‘It was a privilege to name Sidney Poitier my buddy. He was a mild man and opened doorways for all of us that had been closed for years. God bless him and his household.’
Throughout his historic 2002 win, Washington devoted the opening of his speech to Poitier, who he mentioned guided his profession as an actor.
‘Forty years I have been chasing Sidney [Poitier], they lastly give it to me, what’d they do? They offer it to him the identical night time,’ he joked.
‘I will at all times be chasing you, Sidney. I will at all times be following in your footsteps. There’s nothing I’d moderately do, sir. Nothing I’d moderately do. God bless you.’
Among the many many awards and recognition Poitier acquired all through his lifetime, he was granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama throughout a ceremony within the East Room of the White Home in 2009.
Denzel Washington (left) paid tribute to Poitier, who paved the way in which for his 2002 Oscar win. Washington was second black man to win the award for greatest actor since Poitier in 1964
Poitier broke racial boundaries in 1964 when he took house the very best actor Oscar for his main position within the 1964 movie, Lillie’s of the Subject
Actor Sidney Poitier receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama throughout a ceremony within the East Room of the White Home in 2009
Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Anika Noni Rose and lots of extra lead tributes on Friday.
Berry, 55, was the primary black actress to win the very best actress Oscar in 2002 as she posted a touching tribute to the star on Instagram with a snap of the gifted thespians collectively.
She wrote: ”A tiny little bit of myself is misplaced when my pals are gone,’ Sidney Poitier wrote in his e-book LIFE BEYOND MEASURE. My expensive Sidney, an unlimited a part of my soul weeps at your passing.
‘In your ninety-four years on this planet, you left an indelible mark together with your extraordinary expertise, paving the way in which for Black folks to be seen and heard within the fullness of who we’re. You had been an iconic trailblazer; yours was a life effectively lived.’
Berry continued by speaking about rising up admiring him and what a thrill it was after they lastly met.
‘You might be and at all times would be the true measure of a person’: Berry, 55, was the primary black actress to win the very best actress Oscar in 2002 as she posted a touching tribute to the star on Instagram with a snap of the gifted thespians collectively
She wrote: ‘I grew up idolizing you and can at all times bear in mind the day after I first met you. It’s the solely time in my life after I’ve been rendered speechless! There I sat, with my phrases glued collectively, and also you had been as gracious and charming then as you’ll be throughout our many years of friendship to comply with.
‘Relaxation in peace, beloved Sidney. You might be and at all times would be the true measure of a person.’
Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor Jeffrey Wright was one of many first stars to react, tweeting: ‘Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One among a sort. What a lovely, gracious, heat, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.’
Oscar-winner Whoopi Goldberg tweeted a touching message, reciting the lyrics to the theme music from Poitier’s 1967 movie To Sir, with Love.
‘In case you wished the sky I’d write throughout the sky in letters that will soar a thousand toes excessive.. To Sir… with Love,’ she wrote, including: ‘Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P. He confirmed us easy methods to attain for the celebs.’
