Louis Gossett Jr., who was the first Black man to win an Emmy and an Oscar for supporting acting for his part in the landmark TV miniseries “Roots,” has away. He was eighty-seven. The Associated Press was informed by Gossett’s first cousin Neal L. Gossett that the actor passed away in Santa Monica, California. According to a family statement, Gossett passed away on Friday morning. The cause of death remained a mystery.
Gossett’s cousin recounted the story of a relative who confronted and combated prejudice with humor and dignity, a man who walked with Nelson Mandela and was also a brilliant joker.
Louis Gossett Jr. Was Also Awarded A Golden Globe Award
“Never mind the lavish homes in Malibu and the Rolls-Royces; never mind the accolades. His cousin stated, “It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for.” For Louis Gossett Jr., success came to him early in life and drove him toward his Academy Award for “An Officer and a Gentleman.” He saw his early career as a reverse Cinderella narrative.
As Fiddler in the ground-breaking 1977 miniseries “Roots,” which portrayed the horrors of slavery on TV, Gossett made his breakthrough on the small screen. John Amos, LeVar Burton, and Ben Vereen were among the large cast members. In 1983, Louis Gossett Jr. was nominated for a third Black Oscar in the supporting actor category. Serving as the formidable Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” with Richard Gere and Debra Winger, he took home the award for that role. For the same part, he was also awarded a Golden Globe.
