Denzel Washington on his first encounter with Sidney Poitier: “He was very gracious”
When Sidney Poitier won the ‘Best Actor’ Academy Award for his performance in 1963’s Lilies of the Field, it was a historic moment. You see, the iconic star became the first Black actor to win a competitive Oscar. Many observers hoped it would open the floodgates for other actors of colour to be recognised by the Academy. Sadly, this wouldn’t prove to be the case.
In the end, it took 38 long years for another Black actor to win ‘Best Actor’ and the same amount of time for the first woman to take home ‘Best Actress’. Both these accolades were awarded on March 24th, 2002, at the 74th Academy Awards. Halle Berry won for the harrowing Monster’s Ball, while Denzel Washington was rewarded for his blisteringly charismatic performance as corrupt cop Alonzo Harris in Training Day.
Overall, it was a damning indictment of the Academy that it took so long for a second Black star to win the biggest acting award in the game. However, perhaps it was fitting that Washington was the one crowned. After all, he and Poitier are often cited as the two greatest Black actors of all time. They also share a deeply personal connection. During a chance encounter when Washington was a struggling actor, Poitier proved why the young star was always right to idolise him.
In 2000, Washington told USA Today, “It was around 1978. I was walking, probably catching the bus, and I spotted Sidney in a bookstore, and I thought, ‘Oh, this is my big chance’,” The inexperienced star said, “Mr Poitier, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m trying to get into this business.” The nervous youngster then handed his resume and a glossy eight-by-ten headshot to the legendary star. Amusingly, he then decided to shoot his shot.
“He was very gracious,” Washington chuckled. “I took that as weakness”. The hungry young star thought, “This is my shot. I might as well ask him for a job!” Naturally, Poitier didn’t have a gig he could offer on the spot to someone he didn’t know. He must have liked Washington’s moxie, though, as the legendary star laughed, “I remember that. He thinks I don’t remember, but I do.”
A few years later the elder actor attended a performance of A Soldier’s Play. Heartwarmingly, he was highly complimentary of the young star’s work on stage. Washington reminisced, “He looked at me and said, ‘You’re good, keep working.'” Ever the jokester, Washington replied, “Yes, sir! Can I give you another resumé?”
Over the years, Washington and Poitier solidified a close friendship that lasted until Poitier’s death in 2022. He told SiriusXM: “Sidney… you know, we go back 40 years, so he’s more than a friend, more than a father figure.” Then, in a heartfelt statement, he paid tribute by writing, “It was a privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend. He was a gentleman and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years. God bless him and his family.”
