however, it was his portrayal of a former gi in the 1963 movie lilies of the field that broke hollywood s color barrier, earning him the coveted asoscar for best actor. poitier never overcame his tone deafness. lip-syncing the song amen in the famous lily scene. the songwriter actually did the singing. poitier was considered a bankable star in 1967, starring in the landmark film to sir with love. those kids are devils incarnate. i tried everything. reporter: playing characters that would force audiences to confront racial prejudices. they call me mr. tibbs. reporter: but he would also challenge the hollywood establishment. forcing a change in his iconic role as detective virgil tibbs in the academy award winning in the heat of a night because of a scene that would require him to
pushed me out and slammed it. reporter: a determined poitier would spend months perfecting his acting skills and modifying 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 more than a dozen films beginning with no way out including an os-car winning performance in the defiant ones. however it was his portrayal in lilies of the field that broke hollywood s color barrier earning him the coveted oscar for best actor. amen reporter: poitier never overcame his tone deafness lip synching the song amen. poitier was considered a bankable star in 1967, starring in the landmark film to sir with love. those kids are devil incarnate. i tried everything. reporter: playing characters that would force audiences to