He is the greatest actor, he's the most effortless person.
Clint Eastwood, close friend and 1996 AFI Life Achievement Award recipient.
Sidney, Mr Poitier, it seems like the world's upside down when you're here in the audience watching me and I'm up here on stage getting an award.
I always have to say this, you know you have been an inspiration to my entire life, maybe to all of us.
In my life I've shamelessly tried to parity it after yours, to walk down the trail that you blazed my friend. That you are here means you are proud of me, and I'm proud of that.
Sir Sidney Poitier, the first black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, in 1963.
