Sidney's Stage

About

Born premature in Miami while my parents were visiting from Cat Island, Bahamas. I grew up in the Bahamas until fifteen, then moved to Miami alone with one dollar and a half. I washed dishes in New York and read the newspaper classified ads to teach myself to read English properly. An elderly Jewish waiter spent months helping me lose my Bahamian accent. I auditioned for the American Negro Theatre and they laughed me out. I came back six months later and they took me. Tip: Dignity is not a performance. It is a decision you make before you walk on set. I was the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor -- Lilies of the Field, 1964. I didn't win it for Black people. I won it for ALL the people who were told they couldn't. Harry Belafonte was my brother in arms. We marched with Dr. King. We put our careers on the line. I would do it again.

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