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 Louis Gossett Jr. 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. Gossett has also received numerous other honors throughout his illustrious career. His film debut was in the 1961 classic movie "A Raisin in the Sun" with Sidney Poitier. Other film credits 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. Gossett is the author of the bestselling autobiography "An Actor and a Gentleman," in which he chronicles the challenges and triumphs of his 50+ year career. Gossett is recognized as much for his humanitarian efforts as he is for his accomplishments as an actor. 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. 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. He has two adult sons and resides in Malibu, California.
Bio:
Louis Gossett Jr. 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. Gossett has also received numerous other honors throughout his illustrious career. His film debut was in the 1961 classic movie "A Raisin in the Sun" with Sidney Poitier. Other film credits 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. Gossett is the author of the bestselling autobiography "An Actor and a Gentleman," in which he chronicles the challenges and triumphs of his 50+ year career. Gossett is recognized as much for his humanitarian efforts as he is for his accomplishments as an actor. 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. 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. He has two adult sons and resides in Malibu, California.
Tivia:
He was cast in his Oscar winning role in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) after Jack Nicholson turned down the role, and none of the other actors who the producers wanted proved available at the time. Screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart then did research on a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida and found out the top drill instructors they had there were African-American. Upon realizing this, Gossett was cast in what can now arguably be his best remembered role.Was originally cast as Gale Sayers in the television movie Brian's Song (1971). Just days before shooting began, Gossett tore his Achilles' tendon while working out for the film. The studio execs scrambled and quickly hired Billy Dee Williams as a replacement. Gossett, depressed over missing his "shot", was promised by producer David L. Wolper the first great role that came along. About six years later, Wolper called Gossett to play Fiddler in Roots (1977), the Emmy Award-winning role that made him a star.Gossett was drafted by the New York Knickerbockers.His foundation, Eracism, is devoted to eradicating racism.Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1990.Attended Woodstock. He said, "I wanted to be in the now. There were a whole bunch of us there, in the now. Anywhere anything exciting was happening, we were there.".Friends with John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Cicely Tyson.Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 20, 1992.(February 8, 2010) Diagnosed with prostate cancer.Conceived and co-wrote the well known song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens. As the opening act for the original Woodstock, Havens performed "Handsome Johnny," as the 8th song in that historic first set. According to Havens, "...(Gossett) had gotten it up to the 'Dunkirk war'...I brought it up to date..." (From liner notes in The Best of Richie Havens CD, 1993).He was the first male to be shown giving birth on screen, as Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan in Enemy Mine (1985).In the early 1990s, Rich Little offered him the chance to be his opening act in Las Vegas, but he turned it down, a move that he deeply regrets. He sent his wife, Cyndi James Gossett, in his place.He and his ex-wife Cyndi James Gossett have an adopted son.Along with Stacy Keach, he was one of two actors considered for the role of the SGC's new commanding officer, General Hank Landry, on Stargate SG-1 (1997). The role instead went to Beau Bridges, however Gossett was cast as a Jaffa leader named Gerak.Was considered for the role of Lieutenant Ted Traxler in The Terminator (1984), which went to Paul Winfield.Attended Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School.Father of Satie Gossett.He was awarded the 1970 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Performance for the play, "Murderous Angels" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.First cousin of Robert Gossett. |
| Name: |
Louis Gossett Jr. |
Type: |
Actor,Producer,Director (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
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Business scope: |
Actor,Producer,Director |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Producer,Director |
| Model rank: |
1553 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 03:56:08 |
Louis Gossett Jr. profile
| Height: |
6' 4?' (1.95 m) |
| Biography: |
Louis Gossett Jr. 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 o |
| Trivia: |
He was cast in his Oscar winning role in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) after Jack Nicholson turned down the role, and none of the other actors who the producers wanted proved available at the time. Screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart then did research on a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida and found out the top drill instructors they had there were African-American. Upon realizing this, Gossett was cast in what can now arguably be his best remembered role.Was originally cast as Gale Sayers in the television movie Brian's Song (1971). Just days before shooting began, Gossett tore his Achilles' tendon while working out for the film. The studio execs scrambled and quickly hired Billy Dee Williams as a replacement. Gossett, depressed over missing his "shot", was promised by producer David L. Wolper the first great role that came along. About six years later, Wolper called Gossett to play Fiddler in Roots (1977), the Emmy Award-winning role that made him a star.Gossett was drafted by the New York Knickerbockers.His foundation, Eracism, is devoted to eradicating racism.Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1990.Attended Woodstock. He said, "I wanted to be in the now. There were a whole bunch of us there, in the now. Anywhere anything exciting was happening, we were there.".Friends with John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Cicely Tyson.Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 20, 1992.(February 8, 2010) Diagnosed with prostate cancer.Conceived and co-wrote the well known song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens. As the opening act for the original Woodstock, Havens performed "Handsome Johnny," as the 8th song in that historic first set. According to Havens, "...(Gossett) had gotten it up to the 'Dunkirk war'...I brought it up to date..." (From liner notes in The Best of Richie Havens CD, 1993).He was the first male to be shown giving birth on screen, as Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan in Enemy Mine (1985).In the early 1990s, Rich Little offered him the chance to be his opening act in Las Vegas, but he turned it down, a move that he deeply regrets. He sent his wife, Cyndi James Gossett, in his place.He and his ex-wife Cyndi James Gossett have an adopted son.Along with Stacy Keach, he was one of two actors considered for the role of the SGC's new commanding officer, General Hank Landry, on Stargate SG-1 (1997). The role instead went to Beau Bridges, however Gossett was cast as a Jaffa leader named Gerak.Was considered for the role of Lieutenant Ted Traxler in The Terminator (1984), which went to Paul Winfield.Attended Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School.Father of Satie Gossett.He was awarded the 1970 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Performance for the play, "Murderous Angels" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.First cousin of Robert Gossett. |
| Trademarks: |
Deep, commanding voice.
Often plays military commanders and authority figures |
| Quotes: |
If a role isn't different, it's not worth doing.
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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.
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I can do more than anyone suspects. I pride myself on my versatility. It took 32 years of difficult parts, second leads, villains and juveniles. The Oscar changed the quality of the roles I was being offered.
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The Lord may not come when you want Him, but he's always going to be there on time.
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[2010, on filming Enemy Mine (1985)] That was a challenge. I prefer a challenge, because when you've done that, you've done something. That was something where nobody could see my face or my eyes; I was giving somebody a performance through that makeup. That was six months in Germany. A lot of pain in the eyes and stuff. |
| Job title: |
Actor,Producer,Director |
| Others works: |
(1971) Portrayed Pete in "Winesburg, Ohio," produced at the Santa Barbara Performing Arts Center in Santa Barbara, California.
(mid-1980s) Co-starred with Chad Allen in a 3-part anti-drug video entitled "Straight Up".
(1966) Co-starr |
| Spouse: |
Cyndi James Gossett (December 25, 1987 - 1992) (divorced)Christina Mangosing (August 21, 1973 - 1975) (divorced, 1 child)Hattie Glascoe (August 1964 - ?) (annulled) |
| Children: |
Satie GossettSharron Gossett |
| Parents: |
Louis Gossett Sr.
Hellen Rebecca Wray |
| Relatives: |
Robert Gossett (Cousin) |
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