Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor | 36th Oscars (1964) May 2026

"Because it is a long journey to this moment I am naturally indebted to countless numbers of people, principally among whom are Ralph Nelson, James Poe, William Barrett, Martin Baum, and of course the members of the Academy. For all of them, all I can say is a very special thank you." Key Event Details

Poitier’s acceptance speech at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was famously brief and dignified: Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor | 36th Oscars (1964)

He won against Paul Newman ( Hud ), Rex Harrison ( Cleopatra ), Richard Harris ( This Sporting Life ), and Albert Finney ( Tom Jones ). "Because it is a long journey to this