Arizona State University

Sidney Poitier

Legendary actor, director and activist Sidney Poitier died Friday at the age of 94. 

Part of his long legacy is ASU’s Sidney Poitier New American Film School, which remembered the actor after his passing.

Poitier is best known for his groundbreaking work as an actor in the 1950s and '60s. He gave his name to ASU’s film school in 2021.

Steven Tepper is the dean of ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, which houses the school.

“Often our creative fields are cutthroat, highly competitive, dog-eat-dog, and this is a man who forged a career by always being a statesman,” said Tepper.

Tepper says ASU students have been producing one-minute films to honor Poitier since last year and are now working to release those films to honor his memory.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been updated to correct the name of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.