Louis Gossett Jr., the iconic actor who was the first black man to win both an Oscar and an Emmy for his role in the miniseries “Roots”, has passed away at the age of 87. His nephew confirmed the news of his death, although the cause was not provided. Gossett considered his early career as a reverse Cinderella story, with success finding him at an early age and leading to his Academy Award for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Gossett began his acting career in high school and later made his Broadway debut at the age of 16. He attended New York University on a basketball and drama scholarship, where he appeared on several TV shows. He became friends with James Dean and studied acting with legends such as Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau, and Steve McQueen. Making a name for himself in Broadway, he appeared in productions such as “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Golden Boy.”
In Hollywood, Gossett faced racism during his early visits. He was stopped and harassed by police officers multiple times due to the color of his skin and the car he was driving. Despite these challenges, Gossett stood up against racism and later founded the Eracism Foundation to combat racial discrimination. He continued to act in TV shows and movies, such as “Roots,” for which he received critical acclaim.
Gossett won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” making him the third black actor to be nominated in that category. The award opened doors for him to choose more significant roles in films like “Enemy Mine,” “Sadat,” and “Iron Eagle.” Although he won many accolades in his career, Gossett believed that all his roles were supporting ones and appeared in various TV movies and shows throughout his career. He also struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for years.
Despite his challenges with substance abuse and health issues, including a battle with prostate cancer in 2010 and a bout with COVID-19 in 2020, Gossett remained resilient. He is survived by his sons Satie and Sharron and his first cousin, actor Robert Gossett. Throughout his life, Gossett was a trailblazer in breaking barriers for black actors in Hollywood and remained committed to eradicating racism through his work with the Eracism Foundation. His legacy as an actor and advocate for racial equality remains significant in the world of entertainment.
