Hollywood icon Sir Sidney Poitier has passed away at the age of 94.
The death of the beloved film star was confirmed by Bahama's Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, according to Eyewitness News Bahamas.
Poitier was the first black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor during his incredible 71-year career.
Speaking about his death, Mitchell said: "We've lost a great a Bahamian and I've lost a personal friend."
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper spoke to Guardian Nassau, saying: "Sadness that he would no longer be here to tell him how much he means to us, but celebration that he did so much to show the world that those from the humblest beginnings can change the world and that we gave him his flowers while he was with us."
His cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but he will be missed by many.
Bahamian-American actor Poitier was an Oscar-winning Hollywood star who was known as a true trail blazer in Hollywood with more than 50 films under his belt.
Poitier also published several autobiographies during his career - This Life, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (2007) and Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter (2008).
The famous actor built an incredible career as a film icon and revered activist.
Poitier challenged racial bias and roadblocks in the 1950s and 60s by starring in hit movies such as Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night and Lillies of the Field.
A Broadway play about the incredible career of the visionary actor was announced last month, before his sudden death.
With Poitier's family blessing, the play will be based on his youth in the Bahamas, to his historic successes during the Golden Age of Hollywood, as he became the first black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Producers told Variety: "Poitier has inspired many artists in multiple fields including encouraging Alice Childress to begin writing when they were both members at American Negro Theatre."
Taking to Twitter, fans of Poitier shared their tributes as they couldn't believe the news.
One person wrote: "One of the greatest of all time. may he rest in peace."
A second added: "May he rest in peace knowing he served and was loved."
"Absolute legend ... RIP, sir," a third added.
Another penned: "Oh no... so, so sad to hear this... RIP, Mr. Poitier."
