Sidney Poitier, Betty White and Ivan Reitman received heartfelt tributes on Oscar Sunday.Tyler Perry paid homage to Poitier before the opening of the annual In Memoriam segment.“He was the first, and for far too long, the only Black man to win an Oscar for best actor,” Perry said of Poitier, who made history with his win in 1964. “When he stood on that stage, he did more than shatter a barrier.
He stood there for all that came before him, and sparked the dreams of all who followed. To quote Mr. Poitier himself, ‘As the cats say in my area, I’m out there wailing for us all.’ I would not be here today without Sidney.
All of us are so blessed and honored to have been inspired by him. To you, sir, with all of our love.” Poitier died on Jan. 7 at 94.
His legendary filmography includes “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “The Defiant Ones,” “To Sir, With Love,” “Paris Blues,” “They Call Me Mister Tibbs” and “Lilies of the Field,” for which he earned his Oscar.Bill Murray then appeared on stage to honor Reitman, who died on Feb.
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