Louis Gossett Jr. was a renowned and cherished actor, writer, producer, and director, whose remarkable career spanned over five decades. Off-stage, he was a dedicated social activist, educator, and author, committed to enriching the lives of others. He made history by becoming the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable portrayal of drill Sergeant Emil Foley in "An Officer and a Gentleman".
Throughout his illustrious career, Gossett received numerous prestigious awards and nominations, including an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for his iconic performance as Fiddler in the groundbreaking ABC series "Roots", a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for "The Josephine Baker Story", and a Golden Globe for "An Officer and a Gentleman". He was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, one Academy Award, five Images Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992.
Gossett's film debut was in the 1961 classic movie "A Raisin in the Sun" alongside Sidney Poitier. He went on to appear in a wide range of films, including "The Deep", "Blue Chips", "Daddy's Little Girls", Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?", "Firewalker", "Jaws-3D", "Enemy Mine", and "Iron Eagle" 1-4, among many others. His television credits include "Extant", "Madam Secretary", "Boardwalk Empire", "Family Guy", and "ER", among dozens of others.
In addition to his acting career, Gossett authored the bestselling autobiography "An Actor and a Gentleman", which recounts the challenges and triumphs of his 50+ year career. He was recognized for his humanitarian efforts, particularly through his foundation, The Eracism Foundation, which he founded in 2006. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to eradicating racism and provides young adults with tools to live a racially diverse and culturally inclusive life.
Gossett was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and made his stage debut at the age of 17 in "Take a Giant Step", which was selected as one of the 10 best Broadway shows of 1953 by the New York Times. He had two sons and resided in Malibu until his passing in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 87 in 2024.
