Louis Gossett Jr. was a renowned actor, known for his roles in popular films like “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the iconic TV mini series “Roots.” He was also the first Black man to win an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), Gossett had an impressive career spanning over 200 projects in Hollywood. He had 12 upcoming projects at the time of his passing, but unfortunately, he will not be able to see them come to fruition.
NPR reported that Gossett passed away at the age of 87 in Santa Monica, California on March 28, 2024. The cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.
Gossett’s career began on the stage, where he was a star on Broadway. He had the opportunity to act alongside legendary stars like Marilyn Monroe and Sidney Poitier before making his mark in TV and film.
Despite his success, Gossett faced racism and discrimination as a newcomer in Hollywood. He recalled being stopped by the police and questioned for hours on his way to his hotel, and even being handcuffed to a tree for simply walking in Beverly Hills after 9 PM.
Despite these challenges, Gossett had an impressive career, although he believes it could have been even more successful if he were a white actor. He stated, “You look at my track record over a 55-year period of all the awards. I – maybe I should be kind of closer to Clint Eastwood, don’t you think? If you think about the drugs and alcohol, then maybe I should be more like Robert Downey Jr.”
Twenty years ago, Gossett sought help for his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and went through the 12-step program. He shared that a crucial part of his recovery was letting go of resentment, which he considered a “killer” for anyone.
Gossett was married three times, with his first marriage ending in an annulment and the other two in divorce. He is survived by his two children, Satie and Sharron.
The world has lost a talented actor in Louis Gossett Jr., known for his memorable performances in popular films like “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the groundbreaking TV mini series “Roots.” He will also be remembered as the first Black man to win an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards.
IMDB records show that Gossett had an impressive career, with over 200 projects under his belt. Despite his passing, he had 12 upcoming projects that he was working on, showcasing his dedication and passion for his craft.
On March 28, 2024, Gossett passed away at the age of 87 in Santa Monica, California. The cause of his death has not been revealed to the public.
Gossett’s journey in the entertainment industry began on the stage, where he shone as a star on Broadway. He had the opportunity to work with iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Sidney Poitier before making his mark in TV and film.
Despite his success, Gossett faced discrimination and racism in Hollywood. He shared his experiences of being stopped and questioned by the police for hours and even being handcuffed to a tree for simply walking in Beverly Hills after 9 PM.
Despite these challenges, Gossett had an impressive career, although he believed it could have been even more successful if he were a white actor. He stated, “You look at my track record over a 55-year period of all the awards. I – maybe I should be kind of closer to Clint Eastwood, don’t you think? If you think about the drugs and alcohol, then maybe I should be more like Robert Downey Jr.”
Twenty years ago, Gossett sought help for his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and went through the 12-step program. He shared that a crucial part of his recovery was letting go of resentment, which he considered a “killer” for anyone.
Gossett was married three times, with his first marriage ending in an annulment and the other two in divorce. He is survived by his two children, Satie and Sharron.
