Celebrity News January 08, 2022
Sidney Poitier's Family Shares Touching Statement on His Death
The family of legendary actor Sidney Poitier, who died yesterday at 94, has issued an extensive statement to People magazine about his passing, praising his admirers and offering insight into their own grief.
"There are no words to convey the deep sense of loss and sadness we are feeling right now," it reads. "We are so grateful he was able to spend his last day surrounded by his family and friends. To us Sidney Poitier was not only a brilliant actor, activist, and a man of incredible grace and moral fortitude, he was also a devoted and loving husband, a supportive and adoring father, and a man who always put family first."
"He is our guiding light who lit up our lives with infinite love and wonder. His smile was healing, his hugs the warmest refuge, and his laughter was infectious. We could always turn to him for wisdom and solace and his absence feels like a giant hole in our family and our hearts," it continues."
Sidney Poitier, Oscar-Winning Trailblazer, Dies at 94
View Story"Although he is no longer here with us in this realm, his beautiful soul will continue to guide and inspire us. He will live on in us, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren — in every belly laugh, every curious inquiry, every act of compassion and kindness. His legacy will live on in the world, continuing to inspire not only with his incredible body of work, but even more so with his humanity. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to every single one of you for the outpouring of love from around the world. So many have been touched by our dad's extraordinary life, his unwavering sense of decency and respect for his fellow man. His faith in humanity never faltered, so know that for all the love you've shown him, he loved you back."
Poitier was the first non-white actor nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, and the first to win. He won for "Lilies of the Field" (1963) and had previously been nominated for "The Defiant Ones" (1958). He went on to star in such classics as "To Sir, with Love," "In the Heat of the Night," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (all 1967), and to find success as a movie director and diplomat.