Sheryl Lee Ralph hails Sidney Poitier at Gotham Television Awards

Sheryl Lee Ralph has recently credited Sidney Poitier for her successful career in Hollywood.

The Abbot Elementary actress shared her thoughts after receiving the Sidney Poitier Icon Tribute at Gotham Television Awards on June 2

“It’s a very full circle moment, because quite literally Mr. Poitier opened the door to Hollywood for me by casting me in my first movie, A Piece of the Action,” said the 68-year-old while speaking to IndieWire on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony.

After her appearance in Sidney’s movie, Sheryl revealed she got guest spots on hit TV shows including Good Times and Wonder Woman.

However, she got recognition with her role in the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Sheryl admitted that all of these successes would have been possible without Sidney.

“I remember he looked at me and said, ‘Sheryl I expect great things from you… I am sorry that the industry doesn’t have more to offer you, because you deserve it,’” she recalled.

Sheryl explained that Sidney “planted a seed in me that represented the great possibility. And because I believed in great possibility, I kept at it and never gave up”.

Nevertheless, the actress revealed she kept honing her acting craft.

“I wish that he were here tonight to be able see the seed that he planted in me and how it’s grown,” added Sheryl.