Louis Gossett Jr., an iconic actor known for his groundbreaking performances on both the big and small screens, has passed away at the age of 87. He made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, as well as an Emmy for his role in the acclaimed TV miniseries “Roots.” Gossett’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry will forever be remembered and celebrated.
According to CBS News, the death of actor Louis Gossett Jr. was confirmed by his cousin, Neal L. Gossett. The Associated Press reported that the actor passed away on Thursday night in Santa Monica, California. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father earlier today. We would like to express our gratitude for the outpouring of condolences we have received. We kindly request that you respect our family’s privacy during this challenging period,” stated the family on Friday.
Gossett considered his early career to be a reverse Cinderella story. Success found him from a young age and propelled him towards his Academy Award for “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
During his time away from the basketball team due to an injury, he had the opportunity to showcase his acting skills in the school’s production of “You Can’t Take It with You.” This experience marked his first official acting credit and ignited his passion for the performing arts.
“I was completely captivated – and my audience was too,” he reminisced in his memoir “An Actor and a Gentleman” published in 2010.
At the encouragement of his English teacher, he was persuaded to venture into Manhattan and audition for the play “Take a Giant Step.” Seizing the opportunity, he successfully secured a role and accomplished his Broadway debut at the young age of 16 in 1953.
Gossett admitted that he didn’t have enough knowledge to feel nervous about the situation. Looking back, he realized that he should have been terrified when he stepped onto the stage, but surprisingly, he wasn’t.
Gossett pursued his higher education at New York University through a basketball and drama scholarship. During this time, he had the opportunity to showcase his acting and singing talents on various television shows hosted by notable personalities such as David Susskind, Ed Sullivan, Red Buttons, Merv Griffin, Jack Paar, and Steve Allen. Gossett also formed friendships with influential figures like James Dean and received acting instruction from renowned actors Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau, and Steve McQueen at a special program affiliated with the Actors Studio, which was taught by the esteemed Frank Silvera.
In 2020, Gossett expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed actors such as Sidney Poitier, Diana Sands, and Ruby Dee. He described it as a pleasure and acknowledged their influence on his understanding of the craft. According to Gossett, they not only showcased the best aspects of acting but also taught him to discern between what was good and what was not. This experience left a lasting impression on him, igniting a deep passion for acting that runs through his veins.
In 1964, Gossett’s talent shone brightly on Broadway when he took over the role of Billy Daniels in “Golden Boy,” alongside Sammy Davis Jr.
In 1961, Gossett made his debut in Hollywood to work on the film adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun.” However, his experience during that trip was marred by bitter memories. He had to stay in a motel infested with cockroaches, which unfortunately was one of the few establishments that allowed Black people at the time.
In 1968, he made a comeback to Hollywood with a significant role in “Companions in Nightmare,” which was NBC’s first made-for-TV movie. The film featured a stellar cast including Melvyn Douglas, Anne Baxter, and Patrick O’Neal.
Gossett experienced a different kind of accommodation this time around, as he was booked into the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel. Universal Studios even went the extra mile and rented him a stylish convertible. As he made his way back to the hotel after picking up the car, he encountered a slight hiccup. A Los Angeles County sheriff’s officer pulled him over and instructed him to lower the volume of the radio and put up the car’s roof before allowing him to continue on his way.
“I experienced something that affected my well-being. It’s important to be cautious and vigilant because that incident had a negative impact on me,” Gossett shared as he recalled the event in 2020. “So, when people talk about the importance of Black lives, it’s crucial to remember that all lives matter. The actions of those who caused harm not only affected me but also harmed themselves.”
“I found myself confronted with the harsh reality of racism, and it was truly disheartening,” he expressed. “However, I refused to let it consume me.”
He established the Eracism Foundation with the aim of building a world free from the clutches of racism.
Gossett appeared as a guest on several popular television shows, including “Bonanza,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Mod Squad,” “McCloud,” and even had a memorable performance alongside Richard Pryor on “The Partridge Family.”
In August 1969, Gossett had been partying with members of the Mamas and the Papas when they received an invitation to actor Sharon Tate’s house. Gossett decided to head home first to shower and change clothes. While he was getting ready to leave, he saw a news flash on TV regarding Tate’s murder. It was revealed that she, along with others, had been killed by Charles Manson’s associates that very night.
He wrote that there must have been a reason for him escaping the bullet.
Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. was born on May 27, 1936, in the vibrant Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Louis Sr., a porter, and Hellen, a nurse, played significant roles in shaping his life. To pay homage to his father, he later added “Jr.” to his name.
Gossett made his breakthrough on the small screen with his role as Fiddler in the revolutionary 1977 miniseries “Roots.” The series, which portrayed the horrors of slavery on television, featured a talented ensemble cast including Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, and John Amos.
In 1983, Gossett achieved a significant milestone as he became the third Black actor to be nominated for an Oscar in the supporting actor category. Reflecting on his win for his portrayal of the formidable Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” alongside Richard Gere and Debra Winger, Gossett admitted that he initially didn’t realize he had emerged victorious.
Gossett recalled the surreal moment when his agent excitedly informed him, “They mentioned your name!” The actor was taken aback and had to double-check if he was dreaming. As he glanced around, he noticed the audience applauding. He couldn’t believe that it was actually happening. Gossett considers this recognition as a significant milestone in history.
Gossett expressed that his victory enabled him to select “promising roles” for his future film projects. He shared with CBS News in 2020 that he viewed his extensive career as a “blessing” and planned to continue working in the industry for as long as he was physically capable.
He expressed his commitment to the task at hand, emphasizing that as long as he remains present, there will always be work to be done for the greater good of everyone involved.
Gossett made notable appearances in various TV movies, including “The Story of Satchel Paige,” “Backstairs at the White House,” “The Josephine Baker Story,” where he earned another Golden Globe, and “Roots Revisited.” In the 2023 remake of “The Color Purple,” he portrayed a stubborn patriarch.
After winning his Oscar, Gossett faced a long battle with alcohol and cocaine addiction. He sought help by going to rehab, where he was diagnosed with toxic mold syndrome. He believed that his house in Malibu was the cause of his health issues.
In 2010, Gossett made a public announcement about his battle with prostate cancer, emphasizing that it had been detected in its early stages. A decade later, he faced another health challenge when he was hospitalized due to COVID-19.
He leaves behind his sons Satie, a producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron, a chef whom he adopted after watching a TV segment on children in desperate situations and being moved by the 7-year-old’s story. It is worth noting that he is also related to actor Robert Gossett, who is his first cousin.
Gossett’s initial union with Hattie Glascoe was nullified. His second marriage, with Christina Mangosing, concluded in divorce in 1975, just like his third marriage with actor Cyndi James-Reese in 1992.
