Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win an Oscar for supporting actor, has died at 87. Gossett passed away Thursday night in Santa Monica, California, his nephew said. The cause of death has not been released.
“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning,” Gossett’s family said in a statement. “We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Gossett was an esteemed actor known for his remarkable versatility and depth in both television and film roles. Born in 1936 in Brooklyn, he embarked on his acting career in the late 1950s after initially showing promise in basketball, which could have led him to a different career path.
His early work included stage performances, and he quickly made a name for himself, earning critical acclaim. However, it was his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film “An Officer and a Gentleman” that truly catapulted him to fame.
Gossett told The New York Times that he instantly saw the value in the role. “The words just tasted good,” he reminisced.
For the role, Gossett won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first Black man to achieve this honor. The win was a significant milestone, not only for Gossett but also for the representation of African American actors in Hollywood.
“After the Academy Award, I was left with a lot of time on my hands,” Gossett said to The Times in 1989. “I thought I’d get a lot of offers — and they didn’t come.”
“I let myself become bitter, resentful. I was my own worst enemy. I said to myself, ‘What more can I do? Where’s the light at the end of the tunnel?’ I started to self-destruct.”
“I had an Oscar, an Emmy, and yet I had this big hole in my soul.” Gossett checked into a residential drug treatment facility in Los Angeles and ceased his drug use, as detailed in the Times profile. The journey towards sobriety was “very humbling and necessary, a very positive time,” he remarked.
Throughout his career, Gossett took on a wide range of roles that showcased his talent. He has appeared in over 150 television and film productions. Some of his other notable works include the miniseries “Roots,” where he played Fiddler, a performance that earned him an Emmy Award, further solidifying his place in the acting world.
Gossett Jr.’s contributions to the arts and his activism have made him a respected and influential figure, both on and off the screen. His legacy is marked by his groundbreaking achievements and his efforts to use his platform for positive social change.
