For his 1963 portrayal of an itinerant worker who helps refugee nuns build a chapel in LILIES OF THE FIELD, Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win the Oscar for best actor. Poitier said he has fond memories of the role: "‘Lilies of the Field’ stirs up such great remembrances in our family, from the littlest Poitiers watching a young and agile ‘Papa’ to the oldest – Papa Sidney himself!” Poitier said in a statement with his family. #NatFilmRegistry | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

Sidney Poitier was the first Black actor to be nominated in the Best Actor Category for THE DEFIANT ONES ('58). Five years later he was up for the same nomination for his performance in LILIES OF THE FIELD ('63), making history again as the first African American to win the award. #31DaysOfOscar | Turner Classic Movies: TCM