Poitier agreed with this but although he wanted more different roles , but also wanted to set a good example with his characters and go against the negative stereotypes that had come before . He was the only major black actor in the American film industry at the time . Poitier was aware of this pattern himself , but was conflicted on the matter : he wanted more varied roles , but also felt obliged to set a good example with his characters to defy previous stereotypes as he was the only major black actor in the American film industry at the time .