Sidney Poitier Quotes

A collection of quotes by Sidney Poitier.

Sidney Poitier, born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, is an acclaimed Bahamian-American actor, film director, and diplomat. He is known for breaking down racial barriers and becoming one of the first African-American actors to achieve mainstream success in Hollywood during the civil rights era.

Coming from humble beginnings, Poitier grew up in poverty in the Bahamas and later moved to the United States. In his early acting career, he faced intense racial discrimination and limited opportunities for black actors. Nevertheless, through his talent, charisma, and perseverance, he became a trailblazer in the industry.

Over the course of his career, Sidney Poitier became known for his powerful performances in films such as "The Defiant Ones" (1958), "Lilies of the Field" (1963), and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967). In 1964, he made history by becoming the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in "Lilies of the Field."

Beyond his acting, Poitier also made significant contributions to the civil rights movement and the advancement of equal opportunities for African-Americans in the entertainment industry. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and became the Bahamian ambassador to Japan for two years.

Sidney Poitier's work and legacy have had a profound impact on American cinema, paving the way for future generations of minority actors and filmmakers. He remains an inspirational figure, not only for his cinematic achievements but also for his commitment to social progress.

My father was very big on marriage.

My father was very big on marriage.

So I had to be careful. I recognized the responsibility that

So I had to be careful. I recognized the responsibility that, whether I liked it or not, I had to accept whatever the obligation was. That was to behave in a manner, to carry myself in such a professional way, as if there ever is a reflection, it's a positive one.

A person doesn't have to change who he is to become better.

A person doesn't have to change who he is to become better.

Motivational Inspirational

My autobiography was simply the story of my life.

My autobiography was simply the story of my life.

I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not re

I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father's life.

My father was the quintessential husband and dad.

My father was the quintessential husband and dad.

But my dad also was a remarkable man, a good person, a princ

But my dad also was a remarkable man, a good person, a principled individual, a man of integrity.

If you apply reason and logic to this career of mine, you're

If you apply reason and logic to this career of mine, you're not going to get very far. You simply won't. The journey has been incredible from its beginning. So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness.

I wouldn't change a single thing, because one change alters

I wouldn't change a single thing, because one change alters every moment that follows it.

I know how easy it is for one to stay well within moral, eth

I know how easy it is for one to stay well within moral, ethical, and legal bounds through the skillful use of words - and to thereby spin, sidestep, circumvent, or bend a truth completely out of shape. To that extent, we are all liars on numerous occasions.

We all suffer from the preoccupation that there exists ... i

We all suffer from the preoccupation that there exists ... in the loved one, perfection.

I come from a great family. I've seen family life and I know

I come from a great family. I've seen family life and I know how wonderful, how nurturing, and how wonderful it can be.

To simply wake up every morning a better person than when I

To simply wake up every morning a better person than when I went to bed.

So I'm OK with myself, with history, my work, who I am and w

So I'm OK with myself, with history, my work, who I am and who I was.

History passes the final judgment.

History passes the final judgment.

I had to satisfy the action fans, the romantic fans, the int

I had to satisfy the action fans, the romantic fans, the intellectual fans. It was a terrific burden.