Hollywood is mourning the loss of legendary actorSidney Poitier, who died at age 94 Thursday.
Shortly after news of Poitier’sdeath brokeon Friday, tributes began to pour in online, with fans of the actor sharing kind words on social media.
Oprah Winfreycalled him a “mentor,” “friend” and “brother” in her moving remembrance.
Actor Jeffrey Wrightwroteon Twitter, “What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.”
Whoopi Goldbergshared, “If you wanted the sky i would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high.. To Sir… with Love Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P. He showed us how to reach for the stars,“adding, “My condolences to his family and to all of us as well.”
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Viola Davis addressed her tribute to Poitier directly, sharing: “No words can describe how your work radically shifted my life.”
Loni Love also remembered the trailblazer,tweeting: “What a thrill it was to meet the legendary actor Sidney Poitier.. he made us all feel proud and was an inspiration to us in an industry that at times could not be welcoming.. thank you Mr. Poitier rest well.”
Sidney Poitier.SGranitz/WireImage
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Poitier, who was also known for his activism work on human rights issues, made history in 1964 as the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar for his role inLilies of the Field. He went on to win another honorary Academy Award in 2002.
Poitier was born in 1927 in Miami. Because he was two months premature, his family did not think he would survive, and his dad even prepared to bury him in a shoebox, PEOPLEpreviously reported.
But the actor defied all odds and went on to become a record-breaker in the film industry. After serving in the army, Poitier began training at the American Negro Theater and went on to perform in a Broadway production ofLysistrata.
Sidney Poitier.Stefanie Keenan/Getty
source: people.com
