The Classic '80s Comedy You Didn't Know Sidney Poitier Directed

Sidney Poitier was a legendary actor, director, and activist who got his start back in the Golden Age of Cinema. Born on February 20, 1927 and passing on January 6, 2022, Poitier's epic career spanned decades, also earning him 41 nominations for various awards, from which he took home 28 honors. Getting his first big recognition in "Blackboard Jungle," Poitier later starred in "The Defiant Ones," "Porgy and Bess," and "A Raisin in the Sun," and was at one point the highest grossing star of 1967.

His long career saw him knighted in 1974, and he continued working as an actor by appearing in "Sneakers," "The Jackal," and "Little Nikita." Poitier even became the Bahamian ambassador to Japan in 1997, which lasted until 2007 (via NBC). Besides his noble activism, acting, and political work, Poitier was also a director, with his first movie being "Buck and the Preacher" in 1972. He continued working as a director for several films like "Uptown Saturday Night," "Let's Do It Again," and "A Piece of the Action," but one of his directorial efforts may surprise you.

The movie in question is the famous 1980 comedy "Stir Crazy." Starring the legendary Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, "Stir Crazy" was the second outing for the hilarious comedic duo. The movie sees Wilder and Pryor framed for a bank robbery that results in both of them being sent to jail for 125 years. The two attempt to use the insanity defense to evade serving the sentence, but this action fails. However, another opportunity to escape presents itself at a prison-sponsored mechanical bull riding contest, and they are finally able to slip their confinement.

According to The New York Times, the movie was adapted into a sitcom in 1985, though it did not utilize the same actors and director. Meanwhile, the movie went on to make $101 million, which would be around $345 million adjusted for inflation (via The Numbers). "Stir Crazy" also marked the first time a Black director made over $100 million for a film (via IndieWire), further solidifying Poitier's position as a potent director and adding another notch to his extensive career.