Sidney Poitier is an iconic film actor and director, who was also an ambassador. He lived a full life, but ultimately passed away at the age of 94 on January 6, 2022. So it’s not surprising at all that he’s getting a documentary about his life and achievements.
Collider reported recently that Apple TV+ is going to be the host of a brand new documentary about Poitier. The upcoming project will be released from Apple Original Films, with Oprah Winfrey as an executive producer. The report says that Winfrey and Apple Original Films have been working on the project for a couple of years now, working directly with Poitier’s family.
Poitier was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for best actor for his role in Lilies of the Field, which was released in 1963. He racked up a variety of different nominations for other roles and projects over the years, and he won a Grammy in 2001. Along with being an actor, Poitier was a director as well, taking charge on films like Hanky Panky and A Warm December.
The report says that Reggie Hudlin (The Black Godfather) will be directing the documentary. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Hudlin is also attached to direct a couple of different documentaries heading to Apple TV+, Number One on the Call Sheet and it’s sister project.
Poitier’s family released a statement following the announcement of the documentary:
To us Sidney Poitier was not only a brilliant actor, activist and a man of incredible grace and moral fortitude, he was also a devoted and loving husband, a supportive and adoring father and a man who always put family first. Although he is no longer here with us in this realm, his beautiful soul will continue to guide and inspire us. He will live on in us, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren — in every belly laugh, every curious inquiry, every act of compassion and kindness. His legacy will live on in the world, continuing to inspire not only with his incredible body of work, but even more so with his humanity.
We don’t know what the new documentary will be called, or when it will arrive on Apple TV+. However, it will likely start streaming on Apple TV+ before the end of 2022. As soon as we know more, we’ll be sure to pass it along.