Today, 61 years ago, on April 13, 1964 (Lunar Calendar March 2, 1964), Poitier won the Oscars. Poitier starred in "Flower in the Field" on April 13, 1964, the first black man to win the Oscar for best male actor said tonight when receiving the prize: "It's a long journey ..." Sidney-Poitier starred in "Flower in the Field." The black man who won the prize before him was Best Actress in "Van" by Heidi McDaniel.