Made his Broadway debut in the 1946 all-black production of Lysistrata
Appeared as Walter Lee in the 1959 Broadway play A Raisin in the Sun; reprised the role in the 1961 film adaptation
Switched artistic gears in 1972, making his directorial debut with Buck and the Preacher
Was appointed a Knight of the British Empire in 1974; awarded the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 1992; honored by the Kennedy Center in 1995; and appointed as Bahamian ambassador to Japan in 1997
Was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009
Has written a number of books, including 2008's Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter
Awards
1997Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:nominated
1997Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special:nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
1991Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special:nominated
1968Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
1967BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actor:nominated
1966Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
1965BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actor:nominated
1964Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:winner
1963Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:winner
1963Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actor:winner
1962BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actor:nominated
1962Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
1960Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1959Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
1958Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:nominated
1958BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actor:nominated
1958Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actor:winner