Louis Gossett Jr. Passed Away at 87, Remembering a Trailblazing Actor and Humanitarian
BollywoodFever, March 29: Louis Gossett Jr., an iconic figure known for being the first Black actor to win an Oscar for supporting role and for his Emmy-winning performance in the landmark TV miniseries “Roots,” has passed away at the age of 87.
Neal L. Gossett, the actor’s first cousin, confirmed that Gossett passed away in Santa Monica, California. The family released a statement mentioning that Gossett died on Friday morning, though no cause of death was provided.
Neal L. Gossett reflected on the actor’s life, highlighting his remarkable experiences, such as walking with Nelson Mandela, and his prowess as a storyteller. He emphasized that Gossett confronted racism with both dignity and humor, underscoring the actor’s humanistic values beyond his celebrity status.
“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” his cousin remarked.
Louis Gossett viewed his ascent in the entertainment industry as a unique journey, akin to a reverse Cinderella tale, where early achievements ushered him towards significant accolades, including his Oscar win for “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
His notable breakthrough came with his portrayal of Fiddler in the 1977 miniseries “Roots,” a seminal work that shed light on the brutal reality of slavery. The series boasted an esteemed ensemble cast featuring Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, and John Amos, among others.
In 1983, Louis Gossett Jr. etched his name in history as the third Black actor to be nominated and subsequently win the Oscar in the supporting actor category for his role as a formidable Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” alongside Richard Gere and Debra Winger. This performance also earned him a Golden Globe award.
Reflecting on this milestone, Gossett expressed in his 2010 memoir, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” how this achievement was a profound validation of his stature as a Black actor in the industry.
His journey into acting began unexpectedly during high school in Brooklyn, when an injury kept him off the basketball court, leading him to star in the school production of “You Can’t Take It with You.” This experience sparked his passion for acting, as he recounted, “I was hooked — and so was my audience.”
Encouraged by his English teacher, Gossett ventured into Manhattan for an audition, landing a role that marked his Broadway debut in “Take a Giant Step” at just 16 years old. Despite his inexperience, Gossett approached the stage with confidence, later acknowledging in hindsight the enormity of such an opportunity.
Gossett’s talent and dedication to his craft led him to New York University on a combined basketball and drama scholarship, where he quickly found himself acting and singing on various television shows, rubbing shoulders with celebrities like James Dean and studying acting alongside Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau, and Steve McQueen under the guidance of Frank Silvera.
His performance in the 1959 Broadway hit “A Raisin in the Sun” alongside Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands garnered critical acclaim. This success led him to replace Billy Daniels in “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964, further solidifying his status on Broadway.
Gossett’s first foray into Hollywood was for the film adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun” in 1961, a trip marred by the harsh realities of racism, including a stay in a substandard motel due to racial segregation. His return to Hollywood in 1968 for “Companions in Nightmare” presented a stark contrast, with accommodations at the Beverly Hills Hotel and a rented convertible from Universal Studios. However, this trip too was tainted by racial discrimination, including being stopped by law enforcement under dubious pretenses and a distressing encounter that involved being handcuffed and chained to a tree.
Through these experiences, Gossett confronted racism head-on, vowing not to let it defeat him. His resilience in the face of such adversity underscored the depth of his character and his commitment to rising above the challenges posed by racial discrimination.
In the late 1990s, Louis Gossett Jr. recounted an incident where he was stopped by the police on the Pacific Coast Highway while driving his 1986 Rolls Royce Corniche II. The officer, mistaking him for a suspect, eventually recognized Gossett and departed without further action.
Motivated by his experiences, Gossett founded the Eracism Foundation, aiming to foster a society devoid of racism.
Over his career, Gossett made notable guest appearances on television shows such as “Bonanza,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Mod Squad,” and “McCloud,” along with a significant appearance alongside Richard Pryor on “The Partridge Family.”
A close call with tragedy unfolded in August 1969 when Gossett left a gathering with the Mamas and the Papas at Sharon Tate’s home just before the infamous murders committed by Charles Manson’s followers occurred. Reflecting on the incident, he noted, “There had to be a reason for my escaping this bullet.”
Louis Cameron Gossett was born on May 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Louis Sr., worked as a porter, while his mother, Hellen, was a nurse. He later appended “Jr.” to his name as a tribute to his father.
Reflecting on his career and the impact of his Oscar win, Gossett highlighted in Dave Karger’s 2024 book “50 Oscar Nights” how the award enabled him to secure prominent roles in films such as ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat,’ and ‘Iron Eagle.’ Despite storing his Oscar statue, Gossett expressed a desire to donate it to a library, seeking liberation from its symbolic weight.
Gossett’s filmography includes roles in TV movies like “The Story of Satchel Paige,” “Backstairs at the White House,” and “The Josephine Baker Story,” the latter earning him another Golden Globe. Despite his Oscar victory, Gossett noted that his roles remained largely supportive, including his portrayal of a stubborn patriarch in the 2023 remake of “The Color Purple.”
Following his Oscar win, Gossett faced personal challenges with alcohol and cocaine addiction, leading to a rehab stint where he was diagnosed with toxic mold syndrome, attributed to his residence in Malibu.
In 2010, Gossett disclosed a diagnosis of early-stage prostate cancer. A decade later, in 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19.
Gossett’s legacy is carried on by his sons, Satie, a producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron, a chef he adopted after seeing him on a television segment. His family also includes his first cousin, actor Robert Gossett.
His first marriage was annulled, and subsequent marriages to Christina Mangosing and actor Cyndi James-Reese ended in divorce.
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