Louis Gossett Jr., the first black man to win the best supporting actor at the Oscars, has died at the age of 87.
In a statement, Gossett’s family said he died on Friday morning in Santa Monica, California. The cause of his death was not revealed.
“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning,” the statement reads.
“We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The statement described the New-York born film star as a humorous and friendly personality who faced and fought racism with dignity while walking with Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa.
“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces, and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” Neal L. Gossett, a cousin to the ace actor, said.
Born in 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Gossett started acting at age 16 when he appeared in the play ‘Take A Giant Step’.
He studied at the New York University on a basketball and drama scholarship.
In 1959, he gained widespread popularity when he featured on Broadway’s stage production of ‘A Raisin In The Sun’, and its on-screen version in 1961.
Gossett would later win an Emmy Award for his outstanding role as Fiddler in the 1977 TV miniseries ‘Roots’ — a film about the atrocities of slavery.
He won the Academy Award in 1982 for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’.
“The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like Enemy Mine, Sadat, and Iron Eagle,” Gossett said in film expert, Dave Karger’s, 2024 book “50 Oscar Nights,” he said while reminiscing on the award.
In 2005, he established the Eracism Foundation to “help create a world where racism does not exist.”
In the latter part of his life, Gossett struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction.
He was diagnosed with toxic mould syndrome. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle