Tributes pour in for groundbreaking actor Sidney Poitier, who has died aged 94

Following a remarkable career that spanned decades, iconic Bahamian-American actor and activist Sidney Poitier has died, aged 94.

His death was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Fred Mitchell.

Poitier made history as the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in Lilies of the Field (1963). He also received numerous accolades for his roles in The Defiant Ones, Porgy and Bess, A Raisin in the Sun, A Patch of Blue, In the Heat of the Night, To Sir with Love and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner.

In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.  From 1997 to 2007, he served as the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan.

Fans and fellow actors around the world have taken to social media to pay tribute to the legendary actor.

"He showed us how to reach for the stars," Whoopi Goldberg wrote on Twitter.

If you wanted the sky i would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high..
To Sir… with Love
Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P.
He showed us how to reach for the stars

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 7, 2022

The British Film Institute remembered Poitier as a "legendary actor, director and diplomat who led a life of remarkable achievements, both-screen and off."

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sidney Poitier, the legendary actor, director and diplomat who led a life of remarkable achievements, both on-screen and off. pic.twitter.com/g0M2wfmq2M

— BFI (@BFI) January 7, 2022

Stevie Van Zandt described him as "one of the greatest actors of all time."

RIP Sidney Poitier. One of the greatest actors of all time. His “In The Heat Of The Night” will always be on my top 10 film list. His line, “They call me Mr. Tibbs!” heralded in Black Power in a definitive, permanent way. It sends a thrill through my bones every time I see it.

— 🕉Stevie Van Zandt☮️ (@StevieVanZandt) January 7, 2022

See more tributes to Sidney Poitier below:

This beautiful, brilliant, talented Black man. Rest in Peace and Power #SidneyPoitier pic.twitter.com/RD3zhNOeX7

— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) January 7, 2022

Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win an Oscar, has died at the age of 94. The star of “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” and “Lilies of the Field,” for which he won Best Actor, was a trailblazer who will be mourned by so many for whom he opened the very doors of Hollywood.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 7, 2022

We are deeply saddened by the news of trailblazer, humanitarian, and cultural icon Sidney Poitier's passing.
May his memory be a blessing.

"In my case, the body of work stands for itself... I think my work has been representative of me as a man."
— Sidney Poitier pic.twitter.com/0HTcxNnzuc

— The Black Caucus (@TheBlackCaucus) January 7, 2022

Sidney Poitier (1927 — 2022) pic.twitter.com/mLudlS6H32

— MUBI (@mubi) January 7, 2022