Join Emma and Jack as they discuss the brilliant life of actor Sidney Poitier! Known as one of the most prolific performers of his era, Poitier paved the way for African-Americans in cinema and is known for his stereotype-breaking roles. You won’t believe the turn of events that led him to the industry and the perseverance it took to make his dreams a reality.
Join Emma and Jack as they discuss the brilliant life of actor Sidney Poitier! Known as one of the most prolific performers of his era, Poitier paved the way for African-Americans in cinema and is known for his stereotype-breaking roles. You won’t believe the turn of events that led him to the industry and the perseverance it took to make his dreams a reality.
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Actor Spotlight: Sidney Poitier
[00:00:00] Jack: [00:00:00] welcome to the old soul movie podcast. You are number one spot for classic movie rewatches and breakdowns. My name is Jack Oremus, and I'm here with my sister, Emma Oremus. We decided that we wanted to make a show that reflected our love and appreciation for classic movies. And while you're here, hopefully we can share that together as an old soul family, we're going to be diving to these movies scene by scene and giving our modern reactions to the films that have influenced generations of people.
[00:00:39] There'll be fun. Facts, heartaches, tears, laughter, and everything in between. And with that being said, sit back. Relax and enjoy the show.
[00:01:00] [00:01:00] Hello everyone. And welcome back to another episode of the old soul movie podcast. And today we are going to be talking about the legendary actor Sydney.Emma, how are you today on this fine fine February day. And how excited are you to cover?
[00:01:17] Emma: [00:01:17] Oh, my gosh, I am so excited. It is so necessary and a huge, happy birthday Sydney today.
[00:01:25] He is 94 years old and it, because his birthday coincided with our typical release date, we thought what a perfect opportunity to talk about his life, his work, his contributions, because he is like you said, a living. Yes,
[00:01:42] Jack: [00:01:42] I think and believe that he is the oldest living. Winner of an Oscar. So, uh, yeah, I mean, he is a living legend and can't wait to talk about him.
[00:01:53] He was so important to the industry and I, I think that so many modern actors really look to him [00:02:00] as a role model and, uh, overall just a great human being. So yeah, can't wait to get into his life. Emma. Where do we, where do we begin?
[00:02:10] Emma: [00:02:10] Wow. Okay. So first of all, if you, if you don't know who Sidney pointy is, he is a Bahamian American retired Academy award winning actor.
[00:02:18] He's a director and an ambassador, uh, so lot going on, but I think the best place to start would be the very beginning, which would be where he came from. All that good stuff. So Sydney point EA story begins with his parents. Evelyn and Reginald James , who were the Hayman farmers that lived on cat Island.
[00:02:41] It's believed that his parents were descended from slaves that had escaped and every now and then his parents would travel to Miami to sell the produce that they grow. On February 20th, 1920 seventh, his parents were in Miami during one of those trips. And then suddenly his mother went into labor [00:03:00] early in city.
[00:03:01] was born two months premature. And at first they did not think he would live, but after a few months of medical care in Miami, he survived. And since he was born in the United States that automatically entitled into U S citizenship. And when he was well enough, the family moved back home to The Bahamas and Sidney was raised there.
[00:03:23] They lived on cat Island until he was about 10 years old. And then the family moved to Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. And this was the first experience growing up that introduced him to a less rural. More industrialized, urban world. And it was also the first chance he got to see a movie in the theaters
[00:03:42] Jack: [00:03:42] that had to be, uh, I mean, quite the, quite the experience.
[00:03:45] So, I mean, how old would he have been at that point when he was seeing a movie for the first time? I like ten-ish.
[00:03:53] Emma: [00:03:53] Yeah. So actually the next kind of step in his journey was that at 15 years old, he was [00:04:00] sent to live with his brother in Miami, which I would definitely imagine was probably an adjustment or a culture shock in terms of.
[00:04:08] Race relation in the States. I'm sure it looks very different in The Bahamas. And in the later part of his teens, he moved to New York city and there, he had a few different jobs such as being a dishwasher primarily. And sometimes he would even say, I sleep in a bus terminal restroom, and then amidst world war two.
[00:04:29] He actually lied about his age and enlisted in the army where he was assigned to the veteran's hospital in New York. There he works with psychiatric patients. And as we mentioned in our streetcar named desire episode, Mental health hospital units were not known for the best treatment. And it's supposed that sitting point da was a very disturbed at this treatment and actually faked his own mental illness to be discharged.
[00:04:54] And it actually worked. And I think he did reveal to the doctor that it was kind of a front in the [00:05:00] doctor. Like this empathetic towards this and, uh, let him go. And afterwards he took more dishwashing jobs. One thing of notes was that he was not a very strong reader, which totally makes sense. I guess, growing up initially in kind of that farming.
[00:05:19] Rural area, maybe the education just wasn't the same or didn't have that same exposure. And he got help learning how to read the newspaper from another restaurant staff member. And he said that he struggled with reading it, pronouncing lager words, and wanted to improve upon that because it was so necessary getting around in life, like even knowing directions and what street names and all that stuff.
[00:05:46] Now, the next question that you might naturally ask is, so how did he get started in acting? What does any of this have to do with how he became so prolific and acting [00:06:00] and actually it's a lot. Okay. It's a truly incredible story. How he got started in his career and it echoes something much larger. In society.
[00:06:13] Now I'm taking this information from an interview he did in 2014 with the American Academy of achievement. So I'm just summarizing his words here now and how he got started. But definitely check that interview out. If you want to hear kind of the full story from his perspective, I'm just kind of like reiterating it.
[00:06:31] But here we go. Cause I think it's fascinating. After his discharge from the army, he was working more temporary dishwasher jobs, and he stated that he had no intention whatsoever at all of becoming an actor. One day, he was looking for dish washing jobs in the newspaper, and he couldn't find one. There wasn't anything available.
[00:06:55] And as he threw the newspaper out, something caught his eye [00:07:00] and there was a ad saying actors want it. And I don't know, his interest was. Peaked, his curiosity was peaked and he literally went right to that address because it was down the street and decided to check it out. When he got there, the guy kind of gave him like the uptown, like you're an actor and Sydney point TA was like, Oh yeah, yeah, I'm an actor.
[00:07:25] I acted in Florida. This kind of fake story. So the theater guy gave him a book and was like, okay, here's some lines, let's read them together. And when it came down to that little audition moment, Sidney really, really struggled, pronouncing everything on top of his accent too. Cause he did have a very thick Bahamian accent.
[00:07:47] So it did not go well. And the theater guy literally grabbed him, threw him out, told him he couldn't speaker Reed told him to stop wasting people's time and to get a job as a [00:08:00] dishwasher. So Sydney Portay left, went to go to an employment agency, uh, for a dishwashing job, but then what just transpired actually hit him.
[00:08:10] He realized in that moment that he never mentioned that he was a dishwasher. And he was like, wait a second. But this guy perceived his worth to be lower and assumed that his capabilities were limited. And he felt super offended kind of by this, I think at this interaction. And right then and there, he decided he would become an actor to prove that guy wrong.
[00:08:38] And then he figured once he was successful enough. To his own judgment, he would just give up the acting a new button. Isn't that wild. Yeah,
[00:08:46] Jack: [00:08:46] that, that, it's a, it's a pretty unreal story, especially the sense. If you do just very limited background research on city points, it's kind of difficult to find out how he made the jump from dishwashing sort of, uh, [00:09:00] I guess these, these more blue collar type of jobs into getting a spot in the American Negro theater and, and yeah, I mean, so just hearing.
[00:09:10] How, how dedicated he was to, I think eliminating his, uh, Bahamian accent and really trying to make it as an actor. It's, it's an incredible story. And so, I mean, even just looking at what transpired after him, or like what kind of roles he was given and how he really changed the perception of African-Americans.
[00:09:35] In like in media, honestly, not just like cinema, but overall, I think it's crazy how, how far, uh, things can go just from, I don't know, doing things maybe a little out of spite. I don't even know how I would say it, but yeah, exactly. So
[00:09:53] Emma: [00:09:53] well, and for me, and I'm going to reference. The same interview for the next anecdote.
[00:09:59] But for [00:10:00] me, that begs the question. Well, how did he make that jump from barely being able to read to, you know, the, the man, the myth, the legend, and he kind of talks about it again in the interview saying that he auditioned for a position in the American Negro theater, AKA. Answer a and T for their training program for new actors.
[00:10:21] Now, the American Negro theater AMT was formed in Harlem in June, 1940 by writer, Abraham Hill and actor, Frederick O'Neill. And it was founded kind of on the purposes of the. Federal theater project in Harlem is we kind of remember during, uh, when FDR was president, there was all these different federal programs to kind of get people back up and working and yeah, so this was kind of their version for the black community of that.
[00:10:53] Federal project. Now, the founding of this theater was drawn upon by web [00:11:00] Dubois belief that African-American theater should be by about four and near African-Americans. So it was kind of founded on that principle, something by and for the people of their community. Back to Sydney. When he auditioned, he did not get the role, uh, kind of was defeated.
[00:11:19] But then when he was walking out, he told the front desk lady, he was like, would I be able to do janitorial work in exchange for acting training? Uh, and eventually they did take him in. Now when Citi chase started performing with the theater, his performances were a flop. Uh, he was not received well, but with the feedback, he worked extra hard to improve his acting tone down his strong Bahamian accent and kind of improve.
[00:11:47] Okay. Another unfortunate discovery for Sydney was that he was tone deaf and unable to sing and be part of musical numbers, never something to your advantage. When you're trying to break out in [00:12:00] the entertainment world, I feel like you always want to explore that,
[00:12:05] Jack: [00:12:05] I guess, as the perception as the, I guess, uh, not perception, but maybe the expectations for, uh, like.
[00:12:13] African-American actors were for them to be able to be, I guess, like multi threat actors, like be able to sing, be able to dance and act so triple threat. Um, but yeah, for, I think. Even just working around those limitations. It just, I think demonstrates how strong he needed to be to, to make up for it in other areas.
[00:12:37] Yeah.
[00:12:38] Emma: [00:12:38] Oh yeah. I mean, the odds are stacked against this guy, you know, and at one point they did try to kick them out or release them, I guess, from this program. But his fellow students, uh, made an appeal asking if he could. Have a small role in their next student play no lines, all that stuff. [00:13:00] And the teacher was like, all right, whatever.
[00:13:01] I'm just going to give him the understudy role for the lead who was played by Harry Belafonte, who at the time was another newcomer on the scene that was involved in this program. And if you don't know, Harry Belafonte. Very influential black Jamaican American singer actor. You might know him from his song, the banana boat song.
[00:13:22] He's dubbed the King of Calypso. Yeah. So he's, he's a pretty big deal. It's kind of amazing that he also got his start at the same time. Uh, and this acting program was the start of the lifelong friendship between Harry Belafonte and Sidney . In fact, they were actually only born nine days apart. So that's wild.
[00:13:44] Oh. And Harry Belafonte is also still alive at the time of this recording now. Okay. That night, this big night of the place production Harry Belafonte unexpectedly was unable to be in the play because he had to [00:14:00] help his dad out at his dad's job. Uh, but of all nights, this was an unideal night for such a thing to happen because the teacher had asked a very prominent director to check out her work for some feedback and their star was missing.
[00:14:15] And it was the understudy who. Quite frankly, it doesn't sound like she was very fond of. Right. Uh, so it was like, yay. But however, this director was impressed and then that director gave him an audition and that's where he got his first job. And then he was given his first leading role in a Broadway production of the strata.
[00:14:41] And he said that he thought he did terrible. After this first night, he was like, all right, I did it. Like I'm on Broadway. I can give up acting now, but then when the newspapers came out, it, he was mentioned and he got some pretty good reviews. And so he thought, okay, I won't quit just [00:15:00] yet. Uh, and that kind of led to some more opportunities and he was invited to understudy for a role in Anna Lou Casta, which she might recognize as the player version of the movie production earth.
[00:15:11] The kid was in that we mentioned on our earth episode. It's kind of wild to think how, you know, hard work and determination got him to this point. Right.
[00:15:23] Jack: [00:15:23] And I mean, I think just other people vouching for him too. I mean, I think about the students that were also sort of in the theater and probably them being able to see how dedicated he was towards improving himself and just what he was willing to do.
[00:15:39] Like how many people, I mean, I think the majority of people would actually quit after that first. Casting director, whoever kind of said the whole, like you're wasting our time, you know, go get a, go get a job as a dishwasher. I think that would cause a lot of people to dip out, but I don't even know if like it was more of a dream than just something that he [00:16:00] wanted to prove to himself, you know?
[00:16:02] Um, but yeah, I think that as soon as other people start believing in you or just whatever it is that you're doing, it's, it's pretty. Amazing. Just the stuff that can come out of that. So I could see that those positive reviews just being a huge thing. And even then that was a, uh, a serendipitous kind of lucky event with, um, with him, him being an understudy and then being called in so very, very impressive.
[00:16:28] Emma: [00:16:28] It is. Absolutely. And then out of all this. An amazing opportunity arose to be in the movie. No way out, which came out in 1950, actually Sydney . I think he lied to the co-writer director, Joseph L Mankiewicz and told him he was 27 years old when he was actually only 22. And then, yeah, Manko is personally did choose him from the small group of finalists that they had to play this role of a young medical doctor, just kind of starting [00:17:00] out and.
[00:17:00] It was noted that he brought a certain level of emotional intensity and grace to this audition, this role and. That would go on to be kind of hand-in-hand with a lot of the work he did. I feel like, and this movie, it would go on to kind of launch his career. It was also the first time that Ozzie Davis and Ruby Dee appeared together on screen.
[00:17:24] What well-known movie you might know them from is do the right thing. They're in a lot of things though. That's just kind of like a one you definitely might know, right? Anyway, and no way out Sydney plays a black doctor who is tested when he must treat an extremely racist patient. Uh, so actually that's a really cool to me, progressive not very common type of storyline in 1950.
[00:17:51] Yeah. And that would be a really amazing role to get. And. Richard Widmark who plays this racist patient was apparently so [00:18:00] uncomfortable with the fake, well, like, you know, the lines, the racist lines of his character made because he grew such a strong friendship with Sidney and he would like apologize after they would shoot things.
[00:18:13] Yeah. I think that just speaks to both like, like
[00:18:15] Jack: [00:18:15] their
[00:18:15] Emma: [00:18:15] integrity. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And now, and this might be of interest to some of you because just to see how progress goes, but I've seen different numbers, but I think it's a little worth noting that sitting point his salary for this film was somewhere between 3070 $500.
[00:18:36] So not huge compared to. Other things that we're seeing, especially for like a pretty
[00:18:42] Jack: [00:18:42] big role question question. So do you think that this first role really, I don't want to say typecasted, but did you think, do you think that it kind of set the tone for the roles that he would be given later or just kind [00:19:00] of like how he would be perceived in movies down the road?
[00:19:04] Or, or no, cause that'd be like in, in some ways there's kind of similarities between the characters that he plays and we'll get into it as we continue to go. But, um, it seems like, yeah, he, he's always, uh, like a boundary breaker, like, uh, he's always pushing the, you know, the norms of society. Right.
[00:19:24] Emma: [00:19:24] And I mean, it's a, it's a little bit of a life shaping art type of thing because.
[00:19:33] I mean, I honestly, I feel like Sydney was kind of the most prominent black male actor being hired at this time. Right. And when you see someone in that role, I could imagine maybe you have them in minds when these other roles are being written. Yeah. And on that note, I mean, this performance definitely, it got a lot of recognition and it did open that window to there being more [00:20:00] dynamic roles, more leading roles available to black actors at the time.
[00:20:05] Many of which city would be cast in leading to his kind of breakout into star status. But the next really big one. Was in 1955 when he played at Gregory Miller in the movie Blackboard jungle, which we mentioned on our rebel without a cause episode. And in case you haven't heard that episode rebel without a cause came out the same year.
[00:20:29] And that movie focused on white teens in an affluent area and their rebellion. Whereas Blackboard jungle really focused on a racially diverse group of teens in the inner city and their rebellion. And that movie also is really well-known for its rock and roll soundtrack. He also is part of this, like, changing that.
[00:20:48] Teen landscape, I think, and looking at it from a more inclusive lens maybe. And yeah, I think that. This pattern would continue. It's like you kind [00:21:00] of have him in mind, these roles that he's done, right. And that's maybe what's being shaped in the script world. And then he was in a few more movies and then he came out and another big movie called the defiant ones in 1958 in which he started alongside Tony Curtis.
[00:21:18] Now you may recognize this title from are Hollywood after world war two podcasts with Dr. Casserole Gola and in this movie, Curtis in 48, play escaped prisoners chained together who must work together to avoid recapture despite their differences and dislike for each other. And this movie became a huge success, both commercially and critically, a side note.
[00:21:41] It was also a source of inspiration for the third installment of the diehard movies, a diehard with a vengeance, so very influential, and it was nominated for several Academy awards, including best actor for Sydney. making him the first. Male black actors to be nominated for an Academy [00:22:00] award for best actor.
[00:22:01] Jack: [00:22:01] Hmm. I mean the defiant ones not only was Citi points, EA nominated for best actor, but Tony Curtis was too, and it had so many nominations. I think it had an eight or nine, eight or nine. So. Yeah, I think that is a premise. And it's cool also just to see, uh, Tony Curtis in a role that is not some, like it hot.
[00:22:22] I feel like I I'm always watching or that's kind of the main thing that I know him from, but yeah. To, to see him in Sydney pointed in this really, uh, kind of unique film, I think that is a, it's definitely one to check out and it's, it's really, I think, interesting to see, you know, black and white. That kind of theme, you know, whether it's between the two main characters or just the cinematography itself.
[00:22:47] Uh, very, very cool. So I I'd like to see another. Kind of modern defiant ones, if it's, if it's possible.
[00:22:54] Emma: [00:22:54] Yeah. I mean, he, uh, he also played Walter Lee younger and the movie adaptation of a [00:23:00] raisin in the sun, which came out in 1961. I believe he was in the play version of that as well. And then at this point in time in his personal life, Sydney and his first wife, Juanita, Hardy had become parents.
[00:23:13] Two four daughters. So while he was building his career, he was also taking care of a growing family, which I'm sure was no easy task. And then a little later he would start as Homer Smith and the 1963 movie lilies of the field, which is about a traveling handyman who helps nuns build a chapel in the Arizona desert.
[00:23:38] Now for this. Role, he became the first black actor to receive the Academy award for best actor in a leading role. So that barrier was finally broken in 1963 years, years after Hattie McDaniel, winning her best supporting actress in gone with the wind.
[00:23:58] Jack: [00:23:58] I would say though, [00:24:00] I think to add onto that, how would you describe his, his feelings towards winning that award?
[00:24:05] Because I think he, he had some. I think opinions on the Academy and just the, the state of everything.
[00:24:16] Emma: [00:24:16] Yes. I think that there was this sensation of like a bittersweet victory of like, yes, this is an accomplishment and being recognized, but also kind of like, is this just the Academy giving itself a Pat on the back for being diverse?
[00:24:31] Is it really kind of their accomplishment? Like, look, look who look good us. Like what we. Do like, we're so great. And it's
[00:24:39] Jack: [00:24:39] crazy because I feel like even now there's some people that feel that way too with, with films. It's like, Oh no, it's just the Academy doing this. Maybe for like social reasons.
[00:24:50] Emma: [00:24:50] Totally.
[00:24:52] And I mean, yeah, after the war, he did see a slight slowdown in work. Uh, there was definitely a sense of typecasting [00:25:00] maybe. And like I kinda mentioned earlier, he was really. The only major black actor being cast in these roles that were available for black men. And yes, there were others, but like, he was definitely the face I feel like of that progress and movement.
[00:25:18] And uh, some other notable movies that came out in the years following his Oscar, where the Bedford incident, which is known as his first role in which. His race was irrelevant to the plot of the story. So that's kind of cool to me. And then a patch of blue. Which was another good one. Shelly winters and that one.
[00:25:39] Oh,
[00:25:40] Jack: [00:25:40] Shelly
[00:25:44] boy. Don't don't even get me started on Shelly.
[00:25:48] Emma: [00:25:48] No guess who's coming to dinner as the first Sydney point a film I've seen, but I think that was the second one. I saw his work. And then also around this time period in 1963, he and Harry Belafonte. [00:26:00] Participated in the March on Washington to advocate for African-American civil rights.
[00:26:05] So look at him and Harry. Like, I love that, that friendship persistent. And they're like doing do an advocacy, of
[00:26:14] Jack: [00:26:14] course. In all aspects of life. Yes.
[00:26:18] Emma: [00:26:18] Yes, totally. But the next biggest year in his career came in 1967. When three very successful films came out. I believe the first one was to sir with love where he plays a teacher to a group of rebellious white kids.
[00:26:37] Uh, so kind of a nod to those rebel without a cause Blackboard jungle tropes and kind of like a mixing of worlds, I feel like, and it was an unexpected success. And it might be due to, there was another rebellious teenage movie that came out that year, but also I think Columbia pictures supposedly did a study and found that [00:27:00] Sydney box office appeals, what actually was the biggest drive for audiences to check it out.
[00:27:06] So. Pretty cool. And another big one from that year was in the heat of the night in which they call him Mr. Tips. Yes. That famous line where he plays detective Virgil, Tibbs who investigates a murder in a racially hostile Southern town considered one of the greatest performances known as one of the greatest Oscar snubs.
[00:27:33] It's actually kind of believe that because these three big movies came out and they were all so good that when votes were being cast, they were maybe too divvied up to the point where no one movie got a preferential voting treatment,
[00:27:48] Jack: [00:27:48] uh, kind of the same issue that occurred when he was nominated in the defiant ones, because Curtis also had a nomination.
[00:27:55] So split votes. Always tough.
[00:27:59] Emma: [00:27:59] Oh, [00:28:00] it's tough. Actually frequently cited as Sidney favorite film he's ever done. And I just think from a historical note, I thought it was really interesting that Sydney insisted that this movie be filmed in the North because of a prior incident in which he and Harry Belafonte were almost killed by the KU Klux Klan during a visit to Mississippi.
[00:28:23] So it was filmed in Sparta, Illinois, even though it takes place in Sparta, Mississippi for safety reasons. And actually there was one point where they did have to film a scene on a cotton plantation, which they had access to in Tennessee and Sidney Portier said he slept with a gun under his pillow during this production.
[00:28:45] He got. Racist threats from the locals there. And they actually had to cut shooting short and move it back to Illinois. And I actually, okay. I can't believe I'm admitting to this, but I watched this movie for the [00:29:00] first time ever last night and I loved it. I really, really liked it a lot. Um, a lot. Yeah, it was good.
[00:29:09] I totally recommend checking it out. I mean, it's got like a very famous line in it and if that's like enough to kind of push you, I think it's. Yeah, like I said, one of his favorites and yeah, it's just, it was just good. It's like a good, it's a good mystery. And then you kind of add on this bigger societal issue going on and it's just got a lot going for, I really liked it so recommended.
[00:29:32] Jack: [00:29:32] I think, I think that's especially interesting because it's, I think now we go back to that era and we make a lot of films about that time period, but it's with, I think the modern. It's there's a little bit more safety, I would say maybe in today's age then, especially back in the day. And so to have, I think that, that I think present danger kind of going along with the production.
[00:29:59] I think it, [00:30:00] it brings a lot more authenticity to the performances and just the story. It's crazy that they had to, to keep that in mind of. Not ha not being able to film in the South and even when they were in Tennessee, like getting those threats. I mean, could you imagine that today? I mean, I, I, I really, I couldn't, so
[00:30:23] Emma: [00:30:23] it's, yeah.
[00:30:24] I mean, it's terrible. And I have to say, I do think his performance is really strong. I think it really, um, I dunno, you can, you can feel that pain, that that character goes through. He. It comes across so well and strongly. So yeah.
[00:30:41] Jack: [00:30:41] It's like method acting without, uh, having the choice, you know, like he just, he has to be sort of like in that mindset.
[00:30:48] Yeah. I
[00:30:49] Emma: [00:30:49] mean, it's, it's, there were actually some scenes in there where I felt very scared. Um, Yeah, so good movie. And the last of this trio is guests. Who's coming to [00:31:00] dinner, also starring famous to Katherine Hepburn and Spencer, Tracy, who we just kind of talked about and. It was coming out in the high of the civil rights movement and it depicted an interracial couple.
[00:31:16] Now during filming interracial marriage was still illegal in 17 States and it was not disbanded until, um, I believe a little after filming or like right around when they were finishing up filming in a land of our grueling in 1967, loving versus Virginia. It's a little history note for you. And kind of circling back to what he was getting paid for for his roles in 1967.
[00:31:42] Now he was receiving a $200,000 salary plus a percentage of the film's profits, uh, which is a very long way from what he was initially earning. And I think that, you know, Just opened up so many doors in terms of salary for people of color. And [00:32:00] at this point in his personal life, he married his second wife, Joanna Shimkus, and had two more daughters making him a father of six daughters in total.
[00:32:12] So he was the O G girl, dad, girl,
[00:32:15] Jack: [00:32:15] dad. I was going to say the OCI girl, dad right there.
[00:32:19] Emma: [00:32:19] Now, like you alluded to earlier check, I think there has been some criticism that a lot of the characters he played were essentially perfect faultless men, which has been noted to be a conundrum for him because of wanting to play more robust characters, but also.
[00:32:42] Still head on paving, the way of creating roles for blackmail leads that were challenging old free stereotype.
[00:32:51] Jack: [00:32:51] Yeah. It's so hard because I feel like even if you put just a minor character flaw in there, then it just, it opens the door for a lot [00:33:00] of, uh, I guess criticism. And so. Yeah, it's, it's a tough situation to be in when you're, I think you're forming the character even just as an actor, um, to, to essentially just be perfect.
[00:33:15] And I mean, nobody is perfect, but. To yeah. To, to be able to bring that, uh, dynamism into those performances. And I mean, maybe even just allude to having faults, it's just really tough. It's a, it's a tough situation to be in because he is kind of spearheading, uh, not just how people view. You know, black people in cinema, but just in general in society.
[00:33:42] So it's, it's such a, I mean, the way the world, Oh, shoulder shoulders. And so that's why I think when you see people, I mean, today when they're, I mean like, look at Denzel Washington or somebody, uh, or even just like the standing ovation he got at [00:34:00] the, uh, the recent Academy awards. It's like, uh, people I think are, I mean they realize, you know, decades.
[00:34:07] Later just how big of an impact he had. And so it's, it's hard to downplay it. And even just as we're talking, I know I, I feel bad because I feel like we're not like we're not even scratching the surface as to like how important he was. I mean, three, could you imagine just like three movies coming out in the same year, uh, are, you know, just.
[00:34:31] Challenging the norm or challenging, like generational, uh, relations, like race relations. It's it's nuts, you know? Um, and so, yeah, I mean, it's great to, to see, I think the, the different roles that he was in, but it's, you can, yeah, it's, it's hard because. I think when you're an actor or just any profession, you want to be able to challenge yourself and continuously grow, but it's also like your personal career [00:35:00] with a broader movement.
[00:35:01] And I think that's kind of what I'm trying to like to point out. It's just like, how do you balance those two and do it in a way that is, it feels right. And it's not forced and, and all that.
[00:35:15] Emma: [00:35:15] Yeah. I mean, that's a huge sacrifice to not do. Exactly what you want to do for this larger picture. Yeah. Just so crazy influential and it's, and it's wild to me to think about him working over the years.
[00:35:29] I mean, he worked with everyone from like, you know, old Hollywood names that we know, like Katherine Hepburn, Spencer, Tracy, Tony Curtis, and he's also starred alongside people like river Phoenix to just have this long lasting impact through the years and to. Keep breaking barriers and opening windows for even more dynamic roles over the years.
[00:35:52] It's just absolutely incredible to me. And actually I thought this was a fun fact alongside Gary Cooper. Uh, Sidney pointy is [00:36:00] considered one of the most represented actors on the American film institutes. 100 most inspiring movies of all time. That just goes to show you, I guess like how important he was in a larger.
[00:36:13] Movement of society, but his talents actually extend past acting and he was also a director. And the first film, he directed buck in the pressure start himself and Harry Belafonte. And it came out in 1972 and I believe kind of the years following that he did focus his attention on that part of his craft, more with directing.
[00:36:39] And then in 1980. A little film called stir crazy, came out that he directed and it started at gene Wilder and Richard Pryor pretty well known movie. And that movie, it became the highest grossing film ever directed by a black person. And it held that title for several years.
[00:36:57] Jack: [00:36:57] Yeah. Stir crazy is great.
[00:36:59] Yeah. Stir [00:37:00] crazy is great. Definitely have to check that out. Everyone
[00:37:03] Emma: [00:37:03] recently that, uh, Sydney directed that. That's amazing. It's just amazing to touch that area also in career-wise in the,
[00:37:14] Jack: [00:37:14] in the arts. Yeah. When you think about longevity, I mean, even when we were discussing the earth, the kit episode and the actor spotlight on her and all the people that she worked with up until even the early two thousands, I feel like Sydney is similar.
[00:37:31] And just the fact that he was able to constantly redefine himself and. I think from that standpoint really be, be true to himself. So even maybe if he felt like limited in what he was able to do as an actor, because that was a very, I think it was a tough time to be progressive and, um, to just kind of be like the face of an entire race, but I think, yeah, as a director kind of being able to have a little bit more freedom, maybe just because, [00:38:00] um, you're not always in front of the camera, you.
[00:38:03] Have been around for a while. I mean, he had been. And the, the industry for what, like 30 years, 30 ish years at that, at that point. So, um, yeah, to finally be able to kind of bring your craft together in that way is, uh, it's a super cool opportunity, I guess.
[00:38:22] Emma: [00:38:22] Totally. And I mean, the alkaloids are just a reflection on it.
[00:38:26] Cause he has several pieces of recognition over the years. He was the first black actor to autograph and put his hand and foot prints in the cement at Grauman's Chinese theater in 1974, he was. Named an honorary Knight commander of the order of the British empire or KB II. So he's not like a sir, but he can put night at the British empire after his name.
[00:38:52] She's pretty,
[00:38:53] Jack: [00:38:53] pretty cool.
[00:38:56] Emma: [00:38:56] He also served as a member of the board of [00:39:00] directors for the Walt Disney company from 1995 to 2003. Uh, so. Disney's a pretty big company consider that a pretty big role. And then from 1997 to 2007, he was appointed the ambassador of The Bahamas to Japan, as well as the ambassador of The Bahamas to the UN from 2002 to 2007.
[00:39:23] So you've got this ambassadorship, which I'm sure is also not a light and easy task.
[00:39:30] Jack: [00:39:30] No. Th th that, that to me is one of the coolest jobs. I think that would be, yeah, dream. I w I would love that that's like low key one of my life goals for any, any nation. I don't really care. Even maybe besides like, A few North Korea, maybe like that one, maybe not, but everything else is on the table.
[00:39:51] I'm I'm ready to be an ambassador. Yes.
[00:39:54] Emma: [00:39:54] Cool job. Um, and then 2009, he was presented [00:40:00] with the presidential medal of freedom by Barack Obama. And I mean, you guys, he is won an Oscar and honorary, Oscar, and multiple NAACP image awards, a Grammy award for best spoken word album, a sag lifetime achievement award, a golden globe.
[00:40:16] He is also a prostate cancer survivor. Oh my gosh. He is just. Accomplished so much and been recognized so much. It's truly incredible to me. I mean, his contributions to the film industry and the legacy of paving, the way for the stories of black characters to be told on screen are invaluable. And it's just incredible to me to think that.
[00:40:46] That initial appraisal of his worth from that theater guy, I know decades ago was utterly wrong because he is a priceless man. Utterly [00:41:00] priceless. And we owe so much to city point TA for his continuance to persevere and share his talents with the world. If you haven't seen his films, definitely check them out.
[00:41:12] Not only are they impactful in a larger mindset of things, but he is. So he is genuinely and extremely talented man. And to see how far he's come in life. Amazing. Very odd.
[00:41:27] Jack: [00:41:27] Inspiring. Definitely. I think that, um, just like you said, I mean, it's, it's hard not to think back to that initial kind of rejection and not even just that, but you think about.
[00:41:38] How, how hard the beginning stages were for him until he was finally able to get his breakthrough. Um, I mean, that would have been around seven years, seven, eight years from when, uh, he first, you know, moved to Miami and it was around yeah. Six to seven ish years going from Miami to New York up until the [00:42:00] point where he was finally in no way out and his first film.
[00:42:04] And throughout those half a decade, you know, How many people have the perseverance to go through that uncertainty, uh, just to kind of prove their worth, honestly, you know, maybe even more so to himself because I'm sure that's that might've been maybe what it turned into. I really don't want to be for him.
[00:42:24] I think it always
[00:42:25] Emma: [00:42:25] starts with you, you know, you can't like, I think you have to. Do stuff for you first and then that'll help be the seed to go from there. I think personally,
[00:42:38] Jack: [00:42:38] I was wondering if maybe it started off like proving to himself or just proving this, uh, this person wrong, who basically called him worthless.
[00:42:47] But, uh, but yeah, to, to ultimately see what it kind of blossomed into and to see kind of how you can go from that point to really being the face of. [00:43:00] A movement and a race. It's incredible. So Sydney points, EA amazing person, amazing actor. You have to check out his works. I personally, I think the defiant ones is super cool.
[00:43:12] I actually, I need to check out in the heat of the night. Um, totally because I would, yeah, that's the one that I really want to see
[00:43:20] Emma: [00:43:20] if you have TCM, that one is for free, right. Or that's available for free right now. Just
[00:43:25] Jack: [00:43:25] a little plug. Awesome. Awesome. We love our TCM fam and we hope you, and the rest of the old soul fam love us as well.
[00:43:33] Yeah.
[00:43:33] Emma: [00:43:33] I mean, I, I just want to say, I don't know if you'll hear the city point CA but happy, happy birthday. We are so appreciative and in such an admiration of you, um, Yeah. What a way to celebrate 94 years of being on this earth?
[00:43:50] Jack: [00:43:50] Yes, you are one of our dream guests. So if by chance someone is listening to this that knows him, maybe reach out on our behalf or we'll try to reach out to him [00:44:00] as well.
[00:44:00] So, That would be a dream. That would be a dream, but
[00:44:04] Emma: [00:44:04] you want to hear more personal stories from him? I believe he did write three autobiographies. Uh, so definitely check it out because I think to me that was the most interesting part. You could certainly read his Wikipedia page, but when it was the actual interview that I was listening to him, sharing his stories, that's what I got the most out of.
[00:44:21] So yeah, definitely check
[00:44:23] Jack: [00:44:23] those out. Yeah. So if we piqued your interest, hopefully you fall down the rabbit hole of Sydney and his incredible life. And yeah, hopefully we have the opportunity to, to talk more in depth on certain parts of his life in the future. I feel like this was a nice broad stroke.
[00:44:40] Emma, you did a wonderful job. Showing off his, his, uh, amazing career and yeah, hopefully we can go even further in the future. So can't wait for that. And for, yeah, for us to cover some Sydney points, EA movies, because I don't think we haven't yet. So we have
[00:44:58] Emma: [00:44:58] either let us know what [00:45:00] movie you want us to cover a piss.
[00:45:01] We would love to
[00:45:02] Jack: [00:45:02] do that. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. So. Oh, my goodness old soul fam, what a February. It has been almost at the end of it. And we cannot wait for the upcoming weeks. And in that same wavelength, feel free to check us out on social media. Also move podcasts on Instagram. Also pod on Twitter.
[00:45:20] Feel free to reach out to us. Please share this episode with a friend. Please share it with anybody who you think would enjoy hearing a little bit about Sydney PCA, or just loves classic cinema Emma. Anything else before we sign off here?
[00:45:34] Emma: [00:45:34] Just happy black history month and we will have another great episode next week, celebrating black voices, uh, check out our Instagram stories.
[00:45:45] I have all by the time you're listening to this, I will already have put up kind of a watch list of the week. Um, and I'll have a watch list next week for, um, movies. I think they're worth checking out this month that Jack thinks are worth checking out this month. [00:46:00] And, uh, yesterday tunes, we've got some good episodes
[00:46:03] Jack: [00:46:03] ahead.
[00:46:04] Definitely definitely as always everyone take care of, be safe and until next time, we'll see you very soon.