beloved by generations for his intense, larger than life demeanor, as well as his activism for racial equality. it's especially poignant in america today. here's a brief look back at the man and his lasting impact. >> they call me mr. tibbs. >> reporter: sidney poitier played characters who jumped off the screen, opposite rod steiger in "the heat of the night." >> now where did you earn it? >> i'm a police officer. ♪ amen ♪ >> reporter: and in "the lillies of the field" as handyman martin smith. >> lots of luck, mother. >> yeah you. >> reporter: the one that won him the first ever lead oscar for an african-american. >> it is a long journey to this moment. >> reporter: raised in the bahamas, he moved to harlem as a teenager and endured the usual hard scrabble climb to an