Sydney Tamiia Poitier

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: November 15, 1973

Ethnicity:
*African-Bahamian (father)
*Lithuanian, Irish (mother)

Sydney Tamiia Poitier is an American actress. She starred in the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez movie Grindhouse as radio DJ Jungle Julia.

Sydney is the daughter of actors Sir Sidney Poitier, who is Bahamian and American, and Joanna Shimkus, who is Canadian. Her father is of African-Bahamian ancestry and her mother is of Lithuanian and Irish heritage. Sydney’s maternal grandfather, who was of Lithuanian origin, was sometimes reported to be Jewish. It is not clear if this is accurate (Sydney’s mother was raised Catholic, and Shimkus is usually a non-Jewish Lithuanian surname).

Sydney is married to Dorian Heartsong, with whom she has a daughter.

Sydney’s paternal grandfather was Reginald James Poitier (the son of March Poitier and Emma Jane “Emily” Evans). Reginald was born on Cat Island. March was the son of David Poitier and Margaret. Emma was the daughter of Charles Evans and Jane.

Sydney’s paternal grandmother was Evelyn Outten (the daughter of Timothy Outten/Outen and Gina or Louisa Pinder).

Sydney’s maternal grandparents were Joseph Shimkus and Marie Teresa Petrie.

Sources: Genealogy of Sydney Tamiia Poitier (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Sydney’s paternal grandparents, Reginald James Poitier and Evelyn Outten – https://www.familysearch.org

Sydney’s paternal grandfather, Reginald James Poitier, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Sydney’s paternal grandmother, Evelyn (Outten) Poitier – https://www.findagrave.com