He was the first black person to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Now Louis Gossett Jr. has died at the age of 87. The actor and activist campaigned against racism – also in Hollywood.
Actor Louis Gossett Jr., the first black man to win an Oscar for best supporting actor, has died at the age of 87. His family confirmed Gossett’s death in a statement without revealing the cause of death. “It is with deep regret that we confirm that our beloved father passed away this morning,” his family said. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their condolences. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Gossett, who was also a producer, director, social activist and founder of the Eracism Foundation to combat racism, died at a rehabilitation center in Santa Monica, California, the Washington Post reported.
Gossett won an Oscar and an Emmy
Gossett’s long and distinguished career began in the theater in the 1950s before appearing in television and film productions. Gossett attended the prestigious New York University on a basketball and acting scholarship. He took acting lessons with Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau and Steve McQueen.
The first successes followed quickly. Gossett was nominated for seven Emmys – he finally won the award in 1977 for the TV production “Roots”, which depicts the brutality of slavery.
The actor received the Oscar in 1983 for his role as Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman” starring Richard Gere – 19 years after Sidney Poitier became the first black person ever to win the prestigious award. “More than anything, it was a great affirmation of my position as a black actor,” Gossett wrote in his memoirs. However, the award did not change the fact that he was mainly booked for supporting roles.
Experiences of racism in Hollywood
As a black actor, Gossett had numerous experiences of racism. In his memoirs, he reported, among other things, how he was stopped after a nighttime walk in Beverly Hills and handcuffed to a tree. The Oscar winner also addressed the issue of unequal pay between white and black actors. He spoke openly about his difficulties finding a job in Hollywood early in his career, his bitterness over discrimination and his successful battle with his own alcohol and drug addictions.
The actor has been married three times and has two sons. In 2010, Gossett was diagnosed with prostate cancer and made his illness public – also to encourage other African-American men to get checked and treated.