Hollywood icon Sidney Poitier was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, receiving the honor in 1964 for his performance in ‘Lilies of the Field’. He continued to break ground by starring in three successful 1967 films, all of which dealt with issues involving race and race relations: To Sir, with Love; In the Heat of the Night; and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, making him the top box-office star of that year. The acclaimed actor was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States; highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama in 2009.
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