35+ Sidney Poitier Quotes on Wisdom with Style and Elegance (BREAKING BARRIERS)

Sidney Poitier Quotes: Sidney Poitier, a trailblazing actor, film director, and author, holds a distinguished place in the history of American cinema. Born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, Poitier’s career broke through racial barriers, making him the first African-American actor to receive acclaim and recognition in mainstream Hollywood. His contributions extend beyond acting, encompassing his directorial achievements and his significant impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Poitier’s legacy is characterized by his commitment to excellence, his groundbreaking roles, and his enduring influence on the portrayal of Black characters in film.

Sidney Poitier Info.

AttributeDetails
Full NameSir Sidney Poitier, KBE
Date of BirthFebruary 20, 1927
Place of BirthMiami, Florida, USA
NationalityBahamian-American
OccupationActor, Film Director, Author
Breakthrough FilmGained widespread recognition for his role in “The Blackboard Jungle” (1955)
Major AchievementsFirst African-American actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
Notable FilmsStarred in classics like “Lilies of the Field” (1963), “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967), and “To Sir, with Love” (1967)
Directorial SuccessDirected films such as “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974) and “Stir Crazy” (1980)
Literary ContributionsAuthored autobiographical works, including “This Life” (1980) and “The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography” (2000)
Civil Rights AdvocateActive in the Civil Rights Movement, using his influence to address racial inequality in the entertainment industry and society at large
Honorary AwardsReceived numerous honorary awards for his contributions to film and culture
LegacyPaved the way for future generations of Black actors, leaving an indelible mark on cinema and society with his talent and advocacy
Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier Quotes on Integrity and Principles (PERSPECTIVES)

You don’t have to become something you’re not to be better than you were.
You don’t have to become something you’re not to be better than you were.
When you walk with someone, something unspoken happens. Either you match their pace or they match yours.
When you walk with someone, something unspoken happens. Either you match their pace or they match yours.
When I set out to become an actor, I had set myself a standard.
When I set out to become an actor, I had set myself a standard.
We all suffer from the preoccupation that there exists… in the loved one, perfection.
We all suffer from the preoccupation that there exists… in the loved one, perfection.
True ‘joy’ is the difference between just amusing ourselves to death and creating ‘meaningful’ pleasure.
True ‘joy’ is the difference between just amusing ourselves to death and creating ‘meaningful’ pleasure.
To be compared to Jackie Robinson is an enormous compliment, but I don’t think it’s necessarily deserved.
To be compared to Jackie Robinson is an enormous compliment, but I don’t think it’s necessarily deserved.
The journey has been incredible from its beginning.
The journey has been incredible from its beginning.
So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness.
So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness.
My father was the quintessential husband and dad.
My father was the quintessential husband and dad.
My father was a tomato farmer. There is the phrase that says he or she worked their fingers to the bone, well, that’s my dad. And he was a very good man.
My father was a tomato farmer. There is the phrase that says he or she worked their fingers to the bone, well, that’s my dad. And he was a very good man.
Living consciously involves being genuine; it involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly; it involves being in the moment.
Living consciously involves being genuine; it involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly; it involves being in the moment.
In my case, the body of work stands for itself… I think my work has been representative of me as a man.
In my case, the body of work stands for itself… I think my work has been representative of me as a man.
If you apply reason and logic to this career of mine, you’re not going to get very far. You simply won’t.
If you apply reason and logic to this career of mine, you’re not going to get very far. You simply won’t.

Sidney Poitier Quotes Enduring Influence in His Own Words (DIGNITY)

If I’m remembered for having done a few good things, and if my presence here has sparked some good energies, that’s plenty.
If I’m remembered for having done a few good things, and if my presence here has sparked some good energies, that’s plenty.
I’ve learned that I must find positive outlets for anger or it will destroy me. 
I’ve learned that I must find positive outlets for anger or it will destroy me.
I wouldn’t change a single thing, because one change alters every moment that follows it.
I wouldn’t change a single thing, because one change alters every moment that follows it.
I was born two months early, and everyone had given up on me. But my mother insisted on my life.
I was born two months early, and everyone had given up on me. But my mother insisted on my life.
I wanted to look at them because I feel, internally, that I am an ordinary person who has had an extraordinary life.
I wanted to look at them because I feel, internally, that I am an ordinary person who has had an extraordinary life.
I wanted to explore the values that are at work, underpinning my life.
I wanted to explore the values that are at work, underpinning my life.
I simply wake up every morning a better person than when I went to bed.
I simply wake up every morning a better person than when I went to bed.
I set my star so high that I would constantly be in motion toward it.
I set my star so high that I would constantly be in motion toward it.
I never had an occasion to question color, therefore, I only saw myself as what I was… a human being.
I never had an occasion to question color, therefore, I only saw myself as what I was… a human being.
I have to try to find a way to channel that anger to the positive, and the highest positive is forgiveness.
I have to try to find a way to channel that anger to the positive, and the highest positive is forgiveness.
Sidney Poitier Quotes: I have always been a learner because I knew nothing.
I have always been a learner because I knew nothing.
Sidney Poitier Quotes: I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values.
I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values.
I do know that I’m responsible not for what happens, but for what I make of it.
I do know that I’m responsible not for what happens, but for what I make of it.

Sidney Poitier Quotes on Gentleman’s Grace (CHARACTER)

Sidney Poitier Quotes: I did not go into the film business to be symbolized as someone else’s vision of me.
I did not go into the film business to be symbolized as someone else’s vision of me.
Sidney Poitier Quotes: I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father’s life.
I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father’s life.
Sidney Poitier Quotes: I come from a great family. I’ve seen family life and I know how wonderful, how nurturing, and how wonderful it can be.
I come from a great family. I’ve seen family life and I know how wonderful, how nurturing, and how wonderful it can be.
I am the me I choose to be.
I am the me I choose to be.
I always wanted to be someone better the next day than I was the day before.
I always wanted to be someone better the next day than I was the day before.
Generally, I tend to despise human behavior rather than human creatures.
Generally, I tend to despise human behavior rather than human creatures.
Forgiveness works two ways, in most instances. People have to forgive themselves too.
Forgiveness works two ways, in most instances. People have to forgive themselves too.
As a man, I’ve been representative of the values I hold dear. And the values I hold dear are carryovers from the lives of my parents.
As a man, I’ve been representative of the values I hold dear. And the values I hold dear are carryovers from the lives of my parents.
Acting isn’t a game of “pretend”. It’s an exercise in being real.
Acting isn’t a game of “pretend”. It’s an exercise in being real.
Accept that environment compromises values far more than values do their number on environment.
Accept that environment compromises values far more than values do their number on environment.
A person doesn’t have to change who he is to become better.
A person doesn’t have to change who he is to become better.
A good deed here, a good deed there, a good thought here, a good comment there, all added up to my career in one way or another.
A good deed here, a good deed there, a good thought here, a good comment there, all added up to my career in one way or another.

Sidney Poitier (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner)

Sidney Poitier stands as a pioneering and transformative figure in the history of cinema, breaking down racial barriers and reshaping the landscape of Hollywood. His legacy is marked not only by his extraordinary acting talent but also by the social impact of his groundbreaking achievements.

As the first African American actor to receive an Academy Award for Best Actor, Poitier shattered racial stereotypes and opened doors for future generations of Black actors. His roles in films like “Lilies of the Field,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” and “To Sir, with Love” not only showcased his exceptional acting skills but also addressed pressing issues of race and social justice.

Beyond the screen, Sidney Poitier has been a dedicated advocate for civil rights and equality. His dignified and commanding presence both on and off-screen made him a symbol of resilience and empowerment during a time of significant social change.

Poitier’s impact transcends the film industry; he has left an indelible mark on American culture, influencing conversations about race and representation. His achievements have paved the way for greater diversity in cinema and continue to inspire actors and activists alike. Sidney Poitier’s legacy is one of artistic brilliance, social progress, and a commitment to breaking down barriers in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable world.

Sidney Poitier Net Worth, Family and Age

Sir Sidney Poitier is a legendary actor, film director, and author, known for his groundbreaking contributions to the film industry and his impactful roles. Here’s a table with information about Sidney Poitier Net Worth:

InformationDetails
Full NameSir Sidney Poitier
Age96 years (born February 20, 1927)
Net Worth$20 Million
Height6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
WifeJuanita Hardy (m. 1950–1965, divorced), Joanna Shimkus (m. 1976–present)
SonSydney Tamiia Poitier (with Juanita Hardy)
DaughtersBeverly Poitier-Henderson, Pamela Poitier, Sherri Poitier, Gina Poitier, Anika Poitier (with Juanita Hardy)
DeathAlive

List of Sidney Poitier Movies

Sidney Poitier is a legendary actor, film director, and author. Here’s a list of some of Sidney Poitier’s movies:

  1. No Way Out (1950) – as Dr. Luther Brooks
  2. Cry, the Beloved Country (1951) – as Reverend Msimangu
  3. Red Ball Express (1952) – as Cpl. Andrew Robertson
  4. Go, Man, Go! (1954) – as Inman Jackson
  5. Blackboard Jungle (1955) – as Gregory W. Miller
  6. Good-bye, My Lady (1956) – as Gates
  7. Edge of the City (1957) – as Tommy Tyler
  8. Something of Value (1957) – as Kimani Wa Karanja
  9. The Defiant Ones (1958) – as Noah Cullen
  10. Porgy and Bess (1959) – as Porgy
  11. All the Young Men (1960) – as Sgt. Eddie Towler
  12. Paris Blues (1961) – as Eddie Cook
  13. A Raisin in the Sun (1961) – as Walter Lee Younger
  14. Lilies of the Field (1963) – as Homer Smith
  15. The Long Ships (1964) – as Aly Mansuh
  16. The Bedford Incident (1965) – as Ben Munceford
  17. A Patch of Blue (1965) – as Gordon Ralfe
  18. To Sir, with Love (1967) – as Mark Thackeray
  19. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) – as Dr. John Wade Prentice
  20. For Love of Ivy (1968) – as Jack Parks
  21. The Lost Man (1969) – as Jason Higgs
  22. They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970) – as Virgil Tibbs
  23. The Organization (1971) – as Virgil Tibbs
  24. Brother John (1971) – as John Kane
  25. Buck and the Preacher (1972) – as Buck
  26. A Warm December (1973) – as Dr. Matt Younger
  27. The Wilby Conspiracy (1975) – as Shack Twala
  28. Let’s Do It Again (1975) – as Clyde Williams
  29. Uptown Saturday Night (1974) – as Steve Jackson
  30. The Man’s Place (1975) – as Allan Newell
  31. A Piece of the Action (1977) – as Manny Durrell
  32. Let’s Do It Again (1977) – as Clyde Williams
  33. A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ but a Sandwich (1978) – as Butler
  34. Shoot to Kill (1988) – as Warren Stantin
  35. Little Nikita (1988) – as Roy Parmenter
  36. Driving Miss Daisy (1989) – as Hoke Colburn
  37. The Jackal (1997) – as FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston
  38. To Sir, with Love II (1996) – as Mark Thackeray
  39. The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (1999) – as Noah Dearborn

Conclusion

Sidney Poitier, a trailblazing figure in the film industry, carved an indelible path marked by talent, dignity, and societal impact. Breaking racial barriers, he became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Lilies of the Field” (1963). Poitier’s powerful performances in films like “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “To Sir, with Love” challenged racial stereotypes, fostering conversations about equality. Beyond acting, his directorial efforts and advocacy work cemented him as a symbol of social change. Sidney Poitier’s legacy resonates, not just in cinematic achievements but in the broader quest for justice and equality.

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Source: Pic Credit: Sidney Poitier, Amazon, CelebrityNetWorth

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