Barack Obamais mourning thedeath of Sidney Poitierand honoring the late actor’s “groundbreaking” career.
The former president shared a photo of himself, Poitier and his wife and former First LadyMichelle Obamaon Twitter Friday after news broke that theOscar-winning actor had died at 94.
“Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together,“Obama tweeted. “He also opened doors for a generation of actors.”
“Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans,” he added. Michelle retweeted her husband’s post.
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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.
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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.”
Viola Davis addressed her tribute to Poitier directly, sharing: “No words can describe how your work radically shifted my life.”
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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 the Best Actor Oscar for his role inLilies of the Field. He went on to win another honorary Academy Award in 2002.
He leaves behind wife Joanna Shimkus as well as five daughters: Beverly, Pamela, Sherri, Anika and Sydney. His daughter Gina Poitier died in 2018.
source: people.com
