yes, a wonderful actor. In the Heat of the Night was terrific. He was virtually the only black actor in Hollywood for years, apart from a few (like Dooley Wilson) who played minor roles - musicians or servants. Poitier could carry a film.
Agree his skills. I used to worry that he was so perfect as to be seen as the 'whiter than white' black man. But his raw anger at racism in 'In the Heat of the Night' cleared that issue up brilliantly.