Sidney Poitier documentary overseen by Oprah Winfrey has been 'in production for more than a year'

Sidney Poitier documentary overseen by Oprah Winfrey has been ‘in production for more than a year’


A documentary about the extraordinary life of the late Sidney Poitier has been in production at Apple ‘for more than a year’.

The news of the film comes just after the legendary actor-director died at the age of 94 from ‘natural causes,’ on January 6. His death was confirmed on Friday.

The documentary will be executive produced by Oprah Winfrey with his family additionally participating in the project, per Variety.

Marking his life: A documentary about the extraordinary life of the late Sidney Poitier has been in production at Apple 'for over a year,' with the news coming just one day after the legendary actor died at the age of 94 from 'natural causes'; pictured 2014

Marking his life: A documentary about the extraordinary life of the late Sidney Poitier has been in production at Apple ‘for over a year,’ with the news coming just one day after the legendary actor died at the age of 94 from ‘natural causes’; pictured 2014

Apple Original Films and Winfrey, 67, ‘have been in production on the documentary for more than a year,’ a source close to the project told the publication. 

The film comes from Harpo Productions and Network Entertainment, with Reggie Hudlin (House Party, Boomerang) attached as director.

Poitier was the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar for 1964’s Lilies of the Field, and the trailblazer additionally earned two further Academy Award nominations, 10 Golden Globes nods, and two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations — to name a few.  

In 2009, President Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Trailblazer: Poitier was the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar for 1964's Lilies of the Field; pictured at the 1964 Academy Awards

Trailblazer: Poitier was the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar for 1964’s Lilies of the Field; pictured at the 1964 Academy Awards

Honored: In 2009 President Barack Obama presented him with the Medal  of Freedom

Honored: In 2009 President Barack Obama presented him with the Medal  of Freedom

The Bahamian-American actor’s death was confirmed by Clint Watson, the press secretary for the Prime Minister of the Bahamas. 

He told Forbes on Saturday that he died from ‘natural causes’ but had been ‘ailing for a while.’ 

Winfrey had paid tribute to Poitier after his passing: ‘For me, the greatest of the “Great Trees” has fallen: Sidney Poitier. My honor to have loved him as a mentor. Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher,’ she wrote across social media. 

‘The utmost, highest regard and praise for his most magnificent, gracious, eloquent life. I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish. Blessings to Joanna and his world of beautiful daughters.’ 

Mentor: Oprah Winfrey who will be executive producing the documentary for Apple Original Films paid tribute to her 'mentor' after news of his death calling him 'the greatest of the "Great Trees"'

Mentor: Oprah Winfrey who will be executive producing the documentary for Apple Original Films paid tribute to her ‘mentor’ after news of his death calling him ‘the greatest of the “Great Trees”‘

source: dailymail.co.uk