Louis Gossett Jr.: The First Black Man to Win an Oscar Dies at 87
Birth Name: Louis Cameron Gossett Jr.
Nickname: Lou
Born May 27, 1936 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Died March 28, 2024 · Santa Monica, California, USA (undisclosed)
Celebrate the life and career of Louis Gossett Jr., the Oscar winner known for An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots, “Watchmen,” and more.
BIO:
Louis Gossett Jr1st Black Man to Win an Oscar is one of the most respected and beloved actors on stage, screen and television and is also an accomplished writer, producer and director. Off-screen he is a social activist, educator and author dedicated to enriching the lives of others. Gossett was the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as drill Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Among his other awards are an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for his portrayal of Fiddler in the groundbreaking ABC series “Roots,” a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for “The Josephine Baker Story” and a Golden Globe for “An Officer and a Gentleman.” He has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, one Academy Award, five Images Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards and in 1992 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
DEBUT:
Gossett was born in Brooklyn and made his stage debut when he was 17 in “Take a Giant Step,” which was selected as one of the 10 best Broadway shows of 1953 by The New York Times.
His film debut was in the 1961 classic movie “A Raisin in the Sun” with Sidney Poitier.
MOVIES:
Movies include “The Deep,” “Blue Chips,” “Daddy’s Little Girls,” Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too?,” “Firewalker,” “Jaws-3D,” “Enemy Mine” and “Iron Eagle” 1-4, among many others. Television credits include “Extant,” “Madam Secretary,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Family Guy” and “ER,” among dozens of others.
The Eracism Foundation:
In 2006, Gossett founded The Eracism Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating racism. The foundation provides young adults with tools to live a racially diverse and culturally inclusive life. Programs focus on fostering cultural diversity, historical enrichment, education and anti-violence initiatives.
Some Popular Quotes
- If a role isn’t different, it’s not worth doing.
- When I’m offered a role, I look at what I think I can do with it. I
look to see if I can project myself into it. - The Lord may not come when you want Him, but he’s always going to be there on time.
- [on his receiving an Academy Award] The only Oscar I ever knew was a cousin.
A Champion for Diversity and Inclusion:
Beyond his achievements on the silver screen, Louis Gossett Jr. was a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. He used his platform to speak out against racism and discrimination and worked tirelessly to create opportunities for underrepresented artists.