Sir Siney Poitier, KBE (pronounced /ˈpwɑːtieɪ/; born February 20, 1927) is an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Grammy-winning Bahamian-American actor, film director, and author. He broke through as a star in acclaimed performances in American films and plays, which, by consciously defying racial stereotyping, gave a new dramatic credibility for black actors to mainstream film audiences in the Western world.