Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey And More React To Passing Of Sidney Poitier
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and others took to social media Friday to remember groundbreaking actor Sidney Poitier who died at 94 years old.
Poitier's death was first announced by the Guardian Nassau newspaper, who confirmed the actor's passing with Bahamian Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell.
Following the news of his death, the hashtag "RIP King" began trending on Twitter. Tributes also began to pour in for Poitier, the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor.
Sidney was my inspiration, my guiding light, my friend. Sending love to Joanna and his family. pic.twitter.com/0UzVIyeJZV
— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) January 7, 2022
If you wanted the sky i would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high..
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 7, 2022
To Sir… with Love
Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P.
He showed us how to reach for the stars
Sidney Poitier ???? pic.twitter.com/otVjSFHaw8
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 7, 2022
We were all so lucky to share a culture with Sidney Poitier, and benefit from his hand in shaping it. pic.twitter.com/bJaQYFCI1u
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier. An absolute legend. One of the greats. pic.twitter.com/jd2Xd7vmIJ
— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) January 7, 2022
#RIPSidneyPoitier One of cinema's greatest leading men ever. Riveting to watch. Also an excellent director and from the couple of times I had the honor of meeting him, an extraordinarily intelligent and gracious man. Watch a Poitier movie or two this week. https://t.co/CDRGYIWRxH
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) January 7, 2022
Sir Sidney…
— Kim Fields (@KimVFields) January 7, 2022
Caribbean King
Hollywood Royalty
Civil Rights Warrior
????????????????????????#sidneypoitier pic.twitter.com/WW5r2vvXkd
Your excellence will always be the benchmark. Rest in divine peace, Bahamian King. My love and condolences go out to your beautiful family. #SidneyPoitier
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) January 7, 2022
????: Mathieu Bitton pic.twitter.com/43qHtaLgLQ
Immediately dispelling the perverted, obscene, and misinformed notion of white supremacy in every beautifully human, artistic and dignified way = Sidney Poitier. https://t.co/aU4ptHBKCx
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 7, 2022
You were an incredibly beautiful, kind soul who changed the lives of so many, and a hero to all. The world was a much better place because you were in it, and we will miss you. RIP dear #SidneyPoitier ????????????
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) January 7, 2022
So long to the groundbreaking titan, Sidney Poitier pic.twitter.com/3YmpPa699U
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) January 7, 2022
(????Sam Falk/NYT) pic.twitter.com/5ZaKxxPdxw
I once had the honor to shake Sidney Poitier's hand. May he Rest in Power knowing he was loved and trailblazer in our industry who lit up the screen with his talent. ???? pic.twitter.com/LZixjXUAJW
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) January 7, 2022
Sidney Poitier - best of the best RIP pic.twitter.com/QEDLmfaHIH
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) January 7, 2022
This is a monumental loss. Sidney Poitier is quite literally the reason why I wanted to become an artist. Almost everyone I know has heard about the time I met him and embarrassed myself. There are very few people that I quake in the presence of. Rest easy, GOAT. #sidneypoitier pic.twitter.com/RCQX6NYFQP
— Keith Powell (@KeithPowell) January 7, 2022
RIP to a true gentlemen, legend, and the first African-American Academy Award winner for Best Actor Sidney Poitier. pic.twitter.com/FsKO8nQb7l
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 7, 2022
#SidneyPoitier, your last sunset with us is the dawn of many generations rising in the path of light you blazed. We will always hold you in our hearts and forever speak your name. ????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/hIKYCqM245
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) January 7, 2022
Former @disney board member Sidney Poitier was the most dignified man I've ever met. Towering…gentle…passionate…bold…kind…altogether special. pic.twitter.com/1ccPjqabkz
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) January 7, 2022
We send our condolences to the friends and family of Sir Sidney Poitier - a screen legend, the first Black actor to win a BAFTA in 1959 and recipient of our highest honour, the Fellowship. Read more about his remarkable career and achievements: https://t.co/lUOq2olcu8 pic.twitter.com/ut9Dxrxe38
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) January 7, 2022
Poitier died at his home in Los Angeles, though a cause of death has not yet been released.
He is survived by his wife, Joanna, and six daughters.
CBS reporters were on hand at Poitier's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to gather local reaction to the death of the legendary actor. "He was iconic," said Nydia Cooper, a lifelong fan of Poitier's. Cooper traveled from Pasadena to pay her respects, "He led with dignity. That's what I remember about the roads that he chose," she continued.
Anita Dashiell-Sparks, a Distinguished Professor at the USC School of Dramatic Arts also joined the studio, along with Hollywood journalist Jeanne Wolf to discuss the legacy that Poitier left behind, not just on the screen but in the civil rights movement, and as a father. "He brought humanity," said Dashiell-Sparks, "He brought a depth of humanity, a depth of complexity and integrity to every role he embodied."
Hollywood Ambassador Gregg Donovan wanted to make it clear, the Poitier's legacy will live forever, in the hearts of all of the lives he touched, whether it be through a film, or his actions in the civil rights movement.
The Poitier family issued a statement on the passing of their patriarch on Friday afternoon:
"There are no words to convey the deep sense of loss and sadness we are feeling right now. 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. 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."