At the age of 87, Louis Gossett Jr., the Academy Award–winning actor best remembered for his iconic roles in Roots and An Officer and a Gentleman, has dead. Among his many noteworthy professional accomplishments is being the first Black actor to win the 1982 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Gossett, who was born in New York City, began his career on Broadway while he was still an Abraham Lincoln High School student. After making his screen debut in A Raisin in the Sun in 1961, he went on to work with such greats as Sidney Poitier.
In 1977, Gossett’s breakthrough performance was as Fiddler in Roots, for which he won an Emmy. After that, he found more success playing drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman, for which he won the Oscar for Supporting Actor and paved the way for other Black actors to succeed in the motion picture business.
Gossett accepted the parts that defied social standards and demonstrated the tenacity of African Americans in spite of early reluctance and stereotyping. He thought that breaking down barriers and promoting representation were important.
Gossett loved music and sports in addition to his work in movies. He turned down the chance to play professional basketball in order to concentrate on acting, and he briefly followed his dream of becoming a folk musician.
Gossett made multiple film and television appearances during his career, leaving a lasting impression on the entertainment world. He also went back to his theater roots, playing parts in shows like Chicago.
Gossett has been captivating audiences with his roles in HBO’s Watchmen and the stage version of The Color Purple in recent years. Relentlessly dedicated to using his gift for the good of others, he never gave retirement a thought.
In addition to his revolutionary accomplishments, Louis Gossett Jr. will always be recognized for his steadfast devotion to his art and faith in the power of storytelling. He had a lasting impression on the cinema and television industries and cleared the path for upcoming generations of Black actors. We send our deepest sympathies to his family and other loved ones during this trying time.
