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Louis Gossett Jr

What is louis gossett jr?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Full name Louis Cameron Gossett Jr.[2]
Born May 27, 1936, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.[2]
Died March 29, 2024[5]
Occupation Actor[1]
Career span 1953–2024[2]

Louis Gossett Jr. was an American actor, born Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. in Brooklyn, New York, in 1936, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in *An Officer and a Gentleman*.[2] He was the first Black man to win that Oscar category.[3] He died on March 29, 2024.[5]

Context

Louis Gossett Jr. was an American actor known for a career spanning from 1953 to 2024.[2] He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for *An Officer and a Gentleman*, becoming the first Black man to do so.[3] His other notable roles include Fiddler in *Roots* and appearances in films like *Enemy Mine*, *Iron Eagle*, and *Jaws 3-D*.[6] He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 27, 1936, and died on March 29, 2024.[2]

Documented claims

  • Louis Gossett Jr. was the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. [3]
  • He won the Oscar for his role as Drill Sergeant Emil Foley in *An Officer and a Gentleman*. [4]
  • He played Fiddler in the television miniseries *Roots*. [4]

Questions and answers

What was Louis Gossett Jr. famous for?

He was famous for winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for *An Officer and a Gentleman*, becoming the first Black man to win that category.[3] He also starred in *Roots* and films like *Iron Eagle*.[6]

When did Louis Gossett Jr. die?

He died on March 29, 2024.[5]

What role won Louis Gossett Jr. an Oscar?

He won for playing Drill Sergeant Emil Foley in *An Officer and a Gentleman*.[4]

Sources

  1. Louis Gossett, Jr. | Biography, Movies, Plays, & Facts | Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Tribute to Louis Gossett, Jr. - Rediscovering Black History — rediscovering-black-history.blogs.archives.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Louis Gossett Jr. — cau.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Louis Gossett Jr.(1936-2024) — imdb.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr.'s Biography — thehistorymakers.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  6. Louis Gossett, Jr. — walkoffame.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People