January 23, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Toni Thompson – (310) 247-3090

Sidney Poitier Voted Honorary Academy Award^®

Beverly Hills, CA - Actor Sidney Poitier has been voted an Honorary Award by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy President Frank Pierson announced today.

The award, an Oscar^® statuette, is being given to Poitier "for his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen, and for representing the motion picture industry with dignity, style and intelligence throughout the world."

"When the Academy honors Sidney Poitier," Pierson said, "it honors itself even more."

In a career that has spanned more than 50 years, Poitier has been nominated for two leading actor Oscars^®, in 1958 for his role in "The Defiant Ones," and in 1963 for "Lilies of the Field," for which he won the statuette.

He has appeared in over 40 films since 1949, including such classics as "Blackboard Jungle," "To Sir, with Love," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "A Raisin in the Sun" and "In the Heat of the Night."

So many governors made comments seconding Poitier's nomination that it took Actors Branch Governor Tom Hanks' remark - "When I was a young actor, I worked as a bellboy. I carried Mr. Poitier's bags once, and he tipped me five bucks!" - to finally bring the proposal to a vote.

Academy rules state that Honorary Awards, in the form of Oscar statuettes, may be given for "exceptional distinction in the making of motion pictures or for outstanding service to the Academy." Previous recipients include Paul Newman, Satyajit Ray, Michelangelo Antonioni, Akira Kurosawa, Sophia Loren, Walter Lantz, James Stewart and Henry Fonda.

Poitier's Honorary Award will be presented at the 74th Academy Awards Presentation on March 24, 2002, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland^®. Sunday at the Oscars® will be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5:30 p.m. (PST), with a half-hour arrivals segment preceding the presentation ceremony at 5 p.m.