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Sidney Poitier (pictured), EO Wilson, Sarah Weddington, Assunta 'Pupetta' Maresca

Matthew Bannister on actor Sidney Poitier, biologist EO Wilson, lawyer Sarah Weddington and mafia boss Assunta 'Pupetta' Maresca.

Matthew Bannister on

Sidney Poitier, the first black man to win a 'Best Actor' Oscar, known for his powerful performances in ‘In The Heat of The Night’, ‘Lilies of the Field’ and ‘To Sir, With Love’. His co-star in that film - Lulu - pays tribute.

E.O.Wilson, the American biologist and champion of biodiversity who some have compared to Charles Darwin.

Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the landmark case of Roe v Wade before the US Supreme Court. The case, which is being challenged now, established the constitutional right for women to have abortions.

Assunta ‘Pupetta’ Maresca, the Italian mafia boss who served a prison sentence for shooting dead the man who killed her husband.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Lulu
Interviewed guest: Barbie Latza Nadeau
Interviewed guest: Dr George McGavin
Interviewed guest: Paula Ehrlich
Interviewed guest: Joshua Prager
Interviewed guest: Mary Ziegler
Interviewed guest: Stephen Bourne

Archive clips used: The Mirisch Corporation, In The Heat Of The Night (1967); Ö÷²¥´óÐã News, Bonnie Greer tribute to Sidney Poitier 07/01/2022; Entertainment Tonight Canada, Philip Davis tribute to Sidney Poitier 07/01/2022; YouTube, Poitier 80; Twentieth Century Fox, No Way Out (1950); Oscars / YouTube channel, Sidney Poitier wins best Actor 36th Oscars (1964); Columbia British Productions, To Sir, With Love (1967); Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4, The Life Scientific - E.O. Wilson 28/07/2015; Texas Tribune / YouTube channel, Sarah Weddington interview 22/01/2013; ITV News / YouTube channel, Protest of anti-abortion laws in America 21/05/2019; Ö÷²¥´óÐã TV, Everyman - The Politics Of Life 03/12/1989.

Available now

28 minutes

Sidney Poitier

Born 20 February 1927; died 6 January 2022 aged 94.

Last Word spoke to British writer, film and social historian Stephen Bourne and to the singer and actor Lulu, his co-star in 'To Sir, With Love'.

Edward O. Wilson

Born 10 June 1929; died 26 December 2021 aged 92.

Last Word spoke to British entomologist and author Dr George McGavin and Paula Ehrlich, CEO and co-founder of the Half-Earth Project

Sarah Weddington

Born 05 February 1945; died 26 December 2021 aged 76.

Last Word spoke to journalist and author Joshua Prager and Professor at Florida State University College of Law Mary Ziegler.

Assunta 'Pupetta' Maresca

Born 19 January 1935; died 29 December 2021 aged 86.

Last Word spoke to journalist and author Barbie Latza Nadeau.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 Jan 2022 16:00
  • Sun 16 Jan 2022 20:30

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