Poitier hailed as living legend

Poitier: Acting career spans 50 years

Actor Sidney Poitier has been honoured with the Living Legend Award at an annual ceremony recognising black achievement.

The Trumpet Awards are given to those who have played a major role in politics, science and the arts.

Others honoured at the event in Atlanta, Georgia, included singer Erykah Badu and actress Cicely Tyson.

AOL Time Warner vice chairman Ted Turner, whose Turner Broadcasting company sponsored the event, received the Humanitarian Award.

Poitier's acting career has spanned more than 50 years and he won a best actor Oscar in 1963 for his role in Lillies in the Field.

Jackson praised Americans in wake of US attacks

The 74-year-old actor's last big movie saw him play a CIA agent alongside Richard Gere and Bruce Willis in the thriller The Jackal.

He also received a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute in 1992.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a speech at the Trumpet Awards, praising America's response since the terror attacks of 11 September.

"We were knocked down to the ground with that tragedy," he said.

Sinatra

"But the ground is no place for a champion. And, as you can see here tonight, champions don't stay down for long."

Cicely Tyson is another Hollywood veteran, having starred in dozens of films and television series since 1957.

She was nominated for a best actress Oscar in 1972 for Sounder.

Previous recipients of Trumpet Awards have included opera singer Jessye Norman, Smokey Robinson and Frank Sinatra.