Louis Gossett Jr., Known for Officer and a Gentleman and Roots, Passes Away at 87

Louis Gossett Jr., Oscar winner, has passed away. He was 87. Neal L., the actor's cousin. Gossett confirmed Louis' death on Thursday, March 28, in Santa Monica, California. Cause of death not disclosed. Neal said it's not about the awards, glitz, and glamour, or luxurious possessions. 

Instead, it's about the humanity that he represented. Louis got his big break in 1953 at 16, making his Broadway debut in Take a Giant Step. Six years later, he starred as George Jurchison in A Raisin in the Sun alongside Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands. Louis repeated his role in the 1961 film. 

He then landed the role of Fiddler in the 1977 miniseries Roots, which focused on slavery. "It's challenging to portray the resilient character who doesn't recall being a slave in America, and ensure his survival," Louis explained to ScreenRant in March 2022. "Fiddler is essential for Kunta Kinte's existence." He said, "All my favorite actors were in it, even OJ Simpson. I had to audition too, so it's fine." 

There were great actors like Cecily Tyson and Maya Angelou. Louis is famous for his role as drill instructor Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman, winning an Oscar and a Golden Globe for it. “In my memoir, An Actor and a Gentleman, I declared it a strong validation of my role as a Black actor," Louis stated. “I'll donate it to a library to free myself from its care." 

Louis' Oscar win was the first time a Black man won Best Supporting Actor. Louis battled prostate cancer in 2010 and survived. He is survived by his sons Satie and Sharron from his previous relationships with Christina Mangosing and Cyndi James-Reese. Louis and Mangosing divorced in 1975, 17 years before James-Reese divorce.