Sidney Poitier had a very inspiring life story. He grew up in poverty in the Bahamas and then moved to the United States. He started his acting career at a young age. He often had to fight for roles that were not stereotypical of black actors. His performance in 'Lilies of the Field' was a milestone. It showed his great talent and paved the way for more black actors in Hollywood. He also used his fame to advocate for civil rights and equality.
One key event was his breakthrough role in 'Lilies of the Field'. It made him the first black actor to win an Oscar. Another was his appearance in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner', which tackled interracial relationships at a time when it was a very controversial topic.