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By Chris Tobias, Exclusive to New Black Voices

Louis Gossett Jr. stands as a titan in acting, with a career spanning over six decades, marked by versatility, depth, and a commitment to his craft. Born on May 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, to Louis Sr., a porter, and Hellen, a nurse., Gossett’s journey to stardom began with humble origins but blossomed into an illustrious career adorned with accolades and critical acclaim. 

Gossett Jr., who won an Academy Award for his performance in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and an Emmy for the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots,” has died at age 87, according to a statement from his family on March 29, 2024. “It is with our heartfelt regret that our beloved father passed away this morning. We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” the family’s statement, shared by Gossett’s longtime publicist, read.

From his early beginnings in Broadway productions to his breakthrough roles in film and television, Gossett’s talent transcended genres and mediums. He honed his skills at the New York High School of Performing Arts and later at the Actors Studio, where he refined his craft alongside some of the industry’s finest talents.

Gossett’s early career saw him gracing the stages of Broadway, earning praise for his performances in productions like “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Take a Giant Step.” His commanding presence and ability to embody diverse characters captivated audiences and set the stage for his transition to the silver screen.

In 1961, Gossett made his film debut in “A Raisin in the Sun,” reprising his role from the   Broadway production. This began a prolific film career that would star him in over 60 movies. He showcased his range in roles spanning from intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, leaving an indelible mark on each character he portrayed.

One of Gossett’s most iconic roles came in 1982 when he starred as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the military drama An Officer and a Gentleman. His portrayal of the tough yet compassionate drill instructor earned him widespread acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first African American male to win in that category.

Despite his success in film, Gossett’s talent was not confined to the big screen. He also made significant contributions to the world of television, starring in numerous series and made-for-TV movies. Perhaps most notably, he portrayed Fiddler in the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots,” a role that earned him an Emmy Award and solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s preeminent actors.

Champion for Social Causes and Diversity & Inclusion

Throughout his career, Gossett has used his platform to champion social causes and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. He has been a vocal advocate for civil rights and has lent his support to various charitable organizations dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. Off-screen, Gossett helped found the Eracism Foundation in the 1990s, an organization committed to ending racism, which Gossett spoke of experience in Hollywood. Gossett went to Hollywood for the first time in 1961 to make the film version of “A Raisin in the Sun.” He had bitter memories of that trip, staying in a cockroach-infested motel that was one of the few places to allow Black people. 

“I had to really learn the importance of what it takes to survive in this town, and I had to act as if I was second class,” he said. “I had to ingest the onus of being an African American person in America.” 

In 1968, he made a comeback to Hollywood, landing a significant role in “Companions in Nightmare,” NBC’s inaugural made-for-TV movie featuring Melvyn Douglas, Anne Baxter, and Patrick O’Neal. During this stint, Gossett was accommodated at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel, with Universal Studios arranging for a convertible for his use. However, as he drove back to the hotel after collecting the car, he encountered a Los Angeles County sheriff’s officer who instructed him to lower the radio volume and raise the car’s roof before allowing him to proceed. 

Within minutes, he was stopped by eight sheriff’s officers, who had him lean against the car and made him open the trunk while they called the car rental agency before letting him go. “Though I understood that I had no choice but to put up with this abuse, it was a terrible way to be treated, a humiliating way to feel,” Gossett wrote in his memoir. 

“I realized this was happening because I was Black and had been showing off with a fancy car — which, in their view, I had no right to be driving.”

Following his dinner at the hotel, he decided to take a stroll. However, his leisurely walk was abruptly interrupted a block away by a police officer who informed him that he had violated a law prohibiting pedestrian activity in residential Beverly Hills after 9 p.m. The situation escalated as two more officers joined the scene. Shockingly, he found himself restrained, chained to a tree, and handcuffed for an agonizing three hours. It was only when the initial police car returned that he was finally released from his ordeal. 

“Now I had come face-to-face with racism, and it was an ugly sight,” he wrote. “But it was not going to destroy me.”

Health Issues

The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. He went public with the news “to set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventive examinations and early treatment.”

“I want to influence them to seek, as I have, the fine medical care and early detection now available,” he said.

Beyond Acting

In addition to his acting prowess, Gossett is also an accomplished author, musician, and humanitarian. He has penned several books, including his autobiography “An Actor and a Gentleman,” in which he reflects on his life and career with candor and insight. He is also an avid supporter of music education programs and has worked tirelessly to promote arts education in schools across the country.

Louis Gossett Jr. remains a towering figure whose contributions have left an indelible mark on acting. His talent, integrity, and commitment to excellence inspire aspiring actors everywhere, and his legacy will continue to endure for generations to come. May his soul rest in peace.

  acting, black people, diversity, inclusion, legacy, Racism