Sidney Poitier Receives Standing Ovation While Presenting Best Director At The Oscars

Sidney Poitier returned to the Oscar stage Sunday night to present the award for Best Director alongside Angelina Jolie, five decades after he made history by becoming the first African-American man to win an Oscar.

Poitier appeared on stage looking as regal as ever at the age of 87. He received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd. Poitier had some words of wisdom to give to the nominees and audience members, saying, “It is my pleasure to be here in such inspiring company, to help celebrate all the extraordinary talent represented tonight. It’s encouraging and invigorating. Please, keep up the wonderful work.”

‘Sidney Poitier’ quickly began trending on Twitter. Poitier’s appearance marks the 50th anniversary of his historic Best Actor win for Lilies of the Field (1963). It is fitting, perhaps, that Poitier presented Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) with another historic Oscar – Cuaron is the first Latino man to win Best Director. Also, later that night, Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave) made history by becoming the first black man to win an Oscar for Best Picture.

The last time Poitier appeared on the Oscar stage was in 2002 when he received an Honorary Oscar.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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