Photo: Douglas Kirkland; Rich Fury/Contour/Getty
Hollywood is reeling from the loss of two celebrated stars.
In this week’s dual PEOPLE cover stories, family and friends pay tribute to legendary actor Sidney Poitier, whodiedThursday at the age of 94, andFull Housestar Bob Saget, who died Sunday at 65 years old.
Poitier was known both as a trailblazing performer and activist. In 1964, he became thefirst Black actorto win the Oscar for Best Actor for his work on the 1963 film,Lilies of the Field.
“He just had this power and charm and wit and humor and danger,” actress Lee Grant, who costarred with Poitier in 1967’sIn the Heat of the Night, tells PEOPLE. “He had a sense of morality that went through all of his films.”
“Sidney just was a hero,” she added.
Douglas Kirkland
Beyond acting, Poitier was an advocate who fought for civil rights, often alongside his close friend of nearly 80 years, Harry Belafonte. They helped organize the March on Washington and plan Martin Luther King Jr.’s memorial after his assassination.
The singer’sdaughter Shari BelafontetellsPEOPLEthat “losing Sidney is probably the most difficult thing my father has had to fathom, more so than losing Martin L. King.”
“They both focused on making this world a better place for all people, not just people of color,” she adds.
Saget’s family, friends and former castmates are also remembering him after the beloved comediandiedon Sunday following a performance in Ponte Vedra on Saturday night.
“We are devastated to confirm that our beloved Bob passed away today. He was everything to us and we want you to know how much he loved his fans, performing live and bringing people from all walks of life together with laughter,” his family shared ina statementon Sunday night.
Saget’s wife Kelly Rizzo tells PEOPLE that “Bob was my absolute everything.”
Rich Fury/Contour/Getty
In one of his most iconic roles, Saget played Danny Tanner onFull Houseand later returned for the Netflix sequel,Fuller House. On Monday, the cast of the hit family sitcom shareda joint statementhonoring him.
“Bob, we love you dearly. We ask in Bob’s honor, hug the people you love. No one gave better hugs than Bob,” they added.
Additionally, the stars of the show includingMary-KateandAshley Olsen,Candace Cameron Bure,John Stamos,Lori Loughlin,Dave Coulier,Jodie SweetinandAndrea Barberall shared individual heartfelt tributes.
For more on Sidney Poitier and Bob Saget’s remarkable lives and careers, pick up this week’s issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands nationwide on Friday.
source: people.com
