Sidney Poitier, first Black man to win Academy Award for best actor, dies at 94 Poitier's legacy in film history is that of an icon: Many of his most memorable roles dealt with race in mainstream films before others opted to do so. He was a trailblazer for Hollywood diversity and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. He died Thursday, according to reports from CNN and The New York Times. #sidneypoitier #blackhistory #actor #academyawards