At the age of 87, Louis Gossett Jr., who was most recognized for his memorable parts in the television programs Roots and An Officer and a Gentleman, passed away. He broke down barriers in Hollywood by being the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
According to IMDb, Gossett completed over 200 Hollywood productions throughout his lifetime, and 12 more are awaiting release. Regretfully, he will not live to see his projects realized.
Gossett passed away in Santa Monica, California, on March 28, 2024. His death was first reported by NPR. According to a death certificate that TMZ was able to obtain, he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which contributed to his death coupled with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. It was revealed that his remains would be cremated after he fought COPD for years.
Playing on stage, Gossett started his acting career before he became a Hollywood celebrity. He began his illustrious career in film and television by sharing the stage with Broadway greats such as Sidney Poitier and Marilyn Monroe.
Gossett encountered severe bigotry as well as respect when he moved to Hollywood. He once told a disturbing tale of being held for hours by the police while attempting to get to his hotel. He said, “It should have taken 20 minutes, but because they didn’t think I belonged, it turned into a four and a half-hour ordeal.”
Gossett also described another incident in which he was shackled to a tree for three hours just for arriving in Beverly Hills after nine o’clock at night. It served as a sobering reminder of the difficulties he encountered as a Black guy working in a largely White field.
In spite of these unpleasant encounters, Gossett’s career took off. But he thought about how things could have been different if he had been white a lot. Like Robert Downey Jr., he talked candidly about overcoming personal problems and contrasted his triumphs to those of Clint Eastwood. He once remarked, “I think my career would have looked a lot like Eastwood’s if I were white.”
Gossett also struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, problems that almost brought his career to an abrupt end. Two decades ago, he went to rehab after seeking help, and after finishing a 12-step program, his life was transformed. He frequently asserted, “Resentment is a killer,” emphasizing his commitment to getting better and moving on.
Gossett wed three times in his private life. His two subsequent marriages ended in divorce, and his first marriage was dissolved. Satie and Sharron, his two surviving children, will continue his legacy.
In addition to his revolutionary accomplishments in Hollywood, Louis Gossett Jr. will be recognized for his contribution to the advancement of racial equality. Future generations will remember his contributions to the arts and his courageous battle against racial barriers.
