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however, it was his portrayal of a former gi in the 1963 movie "lilies of the field" that broke hollywood's color barrier, earning him the coveted asoscar for best actor. poitier never overcame his tone deafness. lip-syncing the song "amen" in the famous lily scene. the songwriter actually did the singing. poitier was considered a bankable star in 1967, starring in the landmark film "to sir with love." >> those kids are devils incarnate. i tried everything. >> reporter: playing characters that would force audiences to confront racial prejudices. >> they call me mr. tibbs. >> reporter: but he would also challenge the hollywood establishment. forcing a change in his iconic role as detective virgil tibbs in the academy award winning in the heat of a night because of a scene that would require him to

Color-barrier , Movie , Hollywood , Gi , Portrayal , Lilies-of-the-field , Asoscar , 1963 , Sidney-poitier , Lip-syncing , Star , Tone-deafness