Louis Gossett Jr., acclaimed as the first Black man to secure both a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy for his portrayal in the groundbreaking TV miniseries “Roots,” has passed away at the age of 87. According to Gossett’s first cousin Neal. In Santa Monica,California L. Gossett, the actor breathed his last. A statement released by the family confirmed his demise on Friday morning, although the cause of death remains undisclosed.
Recalling Gossett’s legacy, his cousin fondly reminisced about a man who shared moments with Nelson Mandela and possessed a knack for humor, using it as a tool to combat racism with grace. “Forget the accolades, the glitz, and the glamour, the luxurious cars and the grand residences in Malibu. It’s about championing the humanity he represented,” his cousin remarked.
Gossett often regarded his ascent in the entertainment industry as a reverse Cinderella tale, where success discovered him early on, propelling him towards his pinnacle moment with an Academy Award for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
His breakthrough on television came with his portrayal of Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries “Roots,” a profound depiction of slavery’s horrors on the small screen, alongside luminaries such as Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, and John Amos.
In 1983, Gossett made history as the third Black nominee in the supporting actor category at the Oscars. His triumphant performance as the formidable Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” starring opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger, earned him both the prestigious Oscar and a Golden Globe.
Reflecting on this achievement in his 2010 memoir, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” Gossett expressed that it was a significant validation of his stature as a Black actor above all else.
His journey into acting began during his high school days in Brooklyn, where an injury sidelined him from the basketball team but led him to earn his first acting credit in the school production of “You Can’t Take It with You.” Reflecting on this moment in his memoir, he noted, “I was hooked — and so was my audience.”
By his English teacher got encouraged, Gossett ventured into Manhattan for “Take a Giant Step” to audition, landing the role and making his Broadway debut in 1953 at the tender age of 16. Despite his youth, he approached the stage with a fearless demeanor, later remarking, “I knew too little to be nervous.”
Attending New York University on a combination basketball and drama scholarship, Gossett quickly found himself appearing on various television shows hosted by notable personalities such as David Susskind, Ed Sullivan, Red Buttons, Merv Griffin, Jack Paar, and Steve Allen.
During this time, he forged friendships with icons like James Dean and honed his craft by studying under the tutelage of renowned figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau, and Steve McQueen at a branch of the Actors Studio taught by Frank Silvera.
In 1959, Gossett garnered widespread acclaim for his role in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun,” sharing the stage with luminaries such as Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands.