Renowned actor Louis Gossett Jr., celebrated for his iconic roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the TV mini-series “Roots,” has sadly passed away at the age of 87.
Gossett made history as the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the prestigious Academy Awards.
Over his extensive career in Hollywood, Gossett worked on an impressive 200 projects and had 12 more in progress, according to IMDb. Unfortunately, he won’t see the completion of these upcoming projects.
Louis Gossett Jr., renowned for his iconic roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the TV mini-series “Roots,” passed away in Santa Monica, California, on March 28, 2024, at the age of 87. According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the primary cause of death, with heart failure and atrial fibrillation as contributing factors. Gossett had been battling COPD for several years, and his body will be cremated.
Gossett’s illustrious career began on stage, where he performed alongside legends like Marilyn Monroe and Sidney Poitier, making a significant impact on Broadway. Upon his arrival in Hollywood, he faced both the glamour and the harsh reality of racism. He recounted an incident where a supposed 20-minute drive to his hotel took four and a half hours due to being repeatedly stopped by the police. He was even handcuffed to a tree for three hours just for walking in Beverly Hills after 9 pm.
Despite these challenges, Gossett achieved great success, becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Over his extensive career, he worked on an impressive 200 projects and had 12 more in progress, according to IMDb. Yet, he believed his career could have been even more extraordinary if he had been a white actor.
Louis Gossett Jr., known for his iconic roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the TV mini-series “Roots,” passed away on March 28, 2024, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 87. His death was attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with heart failure and atrial fibrillation as contributing factors. Gossett, who had been battling COPD for years, will be cremated.
Before making a name for himself in television and film, Gossett started his career on stage, performing alongside legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Sidney Poitier on Broadway. In Hollywood, he faced both royal treatment and racism. He recalled a 20-minute drive to his hotel turning into a four-and-a-half-hour ordeal due to repeated police stops and even being handcuffed to a tree for three hours for walking in Beverly Hills after 9 pm.
Despite these obstacles, Gossett achieved significant success, becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Over his career, he worked on 200 projects, with 12 more in progress at the time of his death. However, he believed his career could have been even greater had he been a white actor.
Gossett openly discussed his battles with drug and alcohol addiction, sharing that he sought help in rehab two decades ago. He completed a 12-step program, emphasizing that overcoming resentment was crucial to his recovery. “Resentment was the killer,” he said.
In his personal life, Gossett experienced three marriages, with the first ending in annulment and the other two in divorce. He is survived by his two children, Satie and Sharron.
Louis Gossett Jr.’s legacy is marked by his remarkable achievements and resilience in the face of challenges. His impact on the arts and his efforts to challenge racial barriers in Hollywood will be remembered and celebrated for generations.
