This is reported by Sky News with reference to an official in the Bahamian government.
The artist starred in dozens of films and TV shows, but the highest grossing films were the films "Stuffy Southern Night", "Teacher, with Love" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"
In 1964, Poitiers made history as the first black man to receive an Oscar for Best Actor in Lilies of the Field.
In addition, since 1997, Poitiers worked as a diplomat, taking the post of the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan.
As the Independent clarifies, the actor remained in the post of ambassador until 2007.