Apr. 13, 1964 | Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor Oscar

Apr.

13, 1964 - Motion picture history was made tonight at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium when Sidney Poitier became the first Negro to win an Oscar for best performance by an actor.

Patricia Neal won the best-actress award.

Mr. Poitier received the statuette at the 36th annual Oscar ceremonies for his portrayal, in “Lilies of the Field,” of an itinerant construction worker who builds a chapel in the Southwest for refugee nuns.