Louis Gossett Jr., a famous actor who became the first black man to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, has died. Louis Gossett Jr. he was also an Emmy Award winner for his appearance on Roots mini series.
The Associated Press reports that Louis Gossett Jr. died early Friday morning (March 29) in Santa Monica, California, with the news being confirmed by the actor's first cousin, Neal L. Gossett.
Gossett was born on May 27, 1936, in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York. At age 16, a teacher encouraged Gossett to try out for an acting role on Broadway, and he won the part. Gossett starred Take a giant stepalthough he had no formal education.
Acting became Gossett's passion despite having athletic skills as a basketball player, and he was offered a scholarship to New York University. Instead, Gossett turned his attention to theater and never looked back.
According to his cousin, Gossett was more than his riches and fame. he used his position to confront racism and aligned himself with the likes of Nelson Mandela and others.
“They never mind the awards, they never mind the glitz and the glitz, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It is for the humanity of the people he supported,” his cousin said AP.
Gossett won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1983 for his performance An officer and a gentleman. That same year, Gossett also won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred on television, winning his only Emmy Award in 1977 for his role Roots. Gossett also won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in 1992 for his role in The Josephine Baker story.
Gossett is survived by his son Satie and daughter Sharron;
Louis Gossett Jr. he was 87 years old.
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Photo: Howard Ruffner/Getty
