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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Kate Lally

Sir Sidney Poitier dead: First black man to win Oscar dies aged 94

Hollywood icon Sir Sidney Poitier has died aged 94.

Sir Poitier had an incredible 71-year career, and became the first black man to win the Best Actor Oscar in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field.

The beloved actor's death was confirmed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, according to Eyewitness News Bahamas.

READ MORE: The Bill actor George Rossi who played DC Duncan Lennox dies at 61

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 added to Guardian Nassau: "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."

Sidney 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).

A Broadway play about the incredible career of the visionary actor was announced last month, before his sudden death.

His cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but he will be missed by many.

Taking to Twitter, fans have paid their respects and shared tributes to the late legend.

Rendy Jones said: "Watching Sidney Poitier as a kid was like watching history unfold. He gave many black artists their spark because of how he broke barriers in during the Golden Age in Hollywood. A true legend who created a legacy for us all."

Scott Weinberg said: "People don't get much cooler, classier, or more talented than Sidney Poitier. May he rest in peace."

Daniel Picave said: "RIP Sidney Poitier Broke many of the film & TV taboos A talented actor and lifelong activist for racial equality."

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