acting skills and modifiling his speaking voice. his hard work would pay off in a big way. i was right. i know i was right. reporter: in the 1950s, he appeared in that aror more than a dozen film upons beginning with no way out and an oscar nominated performance in the defiant ones. however, it was his portrayal of a former gi in the 1963 movie lilies of the field that earned him the coveted oscar for best actor. portier never overcame his tone deafness, limb-syncing the song amen in the famts lily scene. the song writer actually it the singing. portier was considered a ban bankable star in 1967 starring in a land mark film to sir with love. those kids are devils incarnates. i tried everything. reporter: playing characters that would force audiences to confront racial prejudices. they call me mr. tibbs.