Among his many honors was the Canada Lee Foundation Achievement Award for courage and leadership toward integration in the performing arts. He also served on many boards including Vice-President of AFL, CIO and Chairman of its Civil Rights Committee.
At the American Negro Theatre in the 40s, director Frederick O'Neal gave Sidney Poitier free acting lessons in exchange for backstage chores.
Has recorded various books for the blind, Prose and Poetry for Enjoyment, and narrated Great American Negroes, Silhouettes in Courage.
Made his first professional appearance at St. Louis, Missouri in 1927 as Silvius in "As You Like It," the same year he founded the St. Louis' Aldridge Players theatre company.
Prior to acting, he was a lab technician, a farmer, and owned his own advertising business and valet service.
Studied for the stage at the New Theatre School and American Theatre Wing.