Sidney Poitier, legendary actor who went down in history in the early 60s for being the first African-American to win the Best Actor Oscar for Lilies of the Field, passed away yesterday at the age of 94. Already an absolute star, in 1967 he released the most popular films of his career (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, To Sir, with Love and In the Heat of the Night), maintaining his presence in film and television for decades while he was serving as ambassador of the Bahamas.

As expected, the loss of such a relevant figure not only for Hollywood, but also for media representation of civil rights, has caused lots of grief on social media, starting with the former president of the United States Barack Obama: “Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans,” he tweeted.

Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans. pic.twitter.com/zkYKFSxfKA

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2022

Actress Debbie Allen wrote: “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.”

https://twitter.com/msdebbieallen/status/1479485154930343936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1479485154930343936%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.20minutos.es%2Fcinemania%2Fnoticias%2Fmi-inspiracion-la-luz-que-me-guiaba-hollywood-y-barack-obama-se-despide-de-sidney-poitier-4937869%2F

Morgan Freeman shared a picture with him, captioning: “Sidney was my inspiration, my guiding light, my friend. Sending love to Joanna and his family.”

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

While actor Tyler Perry recalls how much Cicely Tyson’s death last year impacted him, linking it to the pain he now feels for the loss of Poitier. “Around this time last year Cicely Tyson was releasing her book and promoting it. I had no idea she would pass away shortly thereafter,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “Now, to wake up this morning to a call that Sidney Poitier has passed away… all I can tell you is that my heart broke in another place. The grace and class that this man has shown throughout his entire life, the example he set for me, not only as a black man but as a human being will never be forgotten.”

“There is no man in this business who has been more of a North Star for me than Sidney Poitier. I’ll never forget inviting him and Cicely to fly to South Africa with me. Selfishly, I wanted to hold them both captive for the hours long trip as I literally sat at their feet and listened to their wisdom and experiences. It was life changing. All I can say is thank you for your life, thank you for your example, and thank you for your incredible gift. But most of all, thank you for being willing to share you to make us all better.”

“Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man. RIP, Sir. With love,” Jeffrey Right wrote.

https://twitter.com/jfreewright/status/1479470442884874245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1479470442884874245%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.20minutos.es%2Fcinemania%2Fnoticias%2Fmi-inspiracion-la-luz-que-me-guiaba-hollywood-y-barack-obama-se-despide-de-sidney-poitier-4937869%2F

And lastly, Whoopi Goldberg quoted the song “To Sir, with Love” by Lulu to honor him. “My condolences to his family and to all of us as well.”

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