Louis Gossett Jr. Dead, Academy Award Winner Passes Away At 87

Louis Gossett Jr. has passed away at 87, sad news in the world of entertainment. The actor was the first-ever Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar for An Officer and a Gentleman and was also a primetime Emmy winner for his role in the television series, Roots.

Gossett Jr.’s first cousin announced his uncle’s death to The Associated Press on Friday, March 29. It’s being reported that the actor died in Santa Monica, California the night before.

Louis Gossett Jr.’s Legacy

It’s important to note that the cause of Gossett Jr.’s passing has not been released as of this writing.

Gossett’s first major role was in 1977, playing Fiddler in the groundbreaking TV miniseries Roots, which depicted the horrendous acts of slavery.

He would end up winning an Emmy for this portrayal. He became the third Black Oscar nominee in 1983, winning the statue for his incredible performance as a Marine drill instructor opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger in An Officer and a Gentleman.

Gossett Jr. also won a Golden Globe in that role and was the first Black actor to receive an Oscar since Sidney Poitier’s win in 1963 for his role in Lilies of the Field.

More On Gossett’s Impact In Hollywood

Gossett mingled with Hollywood’s finest and was friendly with James Dean, and studied acting with icons like Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen, and Martin Landau. He also received acclaim for his role in A Raisin in the Sun, the 1959 Broadway production.

Still, he caught the acting bug while participating in his high school’s production of You Can’t Take It With You, a role he took after being sidelined from an injury while on the basketball team.

There was no looking back for Gossett Jr., and he truly built an amazing career from the ground up, over the years.

On behalf of everyone here, our thoughts and prayers go out to Gossett Jr.’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans during this difficult time. Continue to visit this site regularly for more celebrity news and updates.

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