(PatriotWise.com) — Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. died last week at the age of 87, CBS News reported.
Gossett, whose death was confirmed by his family in a statement last Friday, passed away in Santa Monica, California, in the early hours of Friday morning. However, the cause of death was not revealed.
Gossett made his Broadway debut at the age of 16, landing a role in “Take a Giant Step” in 1953.
After attending New York University on a drama scholarship, Gossett soon began acting and performing on TV variety shows hosted by Merv Griffin, Ed Sullivan, Jack Parr, Red Buttons, and Steve Allen.
In 1959, Gossett starred alongside Sidney Poitier, Diana Sands, and Ruby Dee in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
After years of taking minor roles on television, Gossett’s breakthrough came in 1977 when he starred as the slave, Fiddler, in the miniseries based on Alex Haley’s memoir “Roots.”
Six years later, Gossett became the third black man to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Marine drill instructor in the Richard Gere film “An Officer and a Gentleman.” He went on to win an Oscar for the role.
Born on May 27, 1936, Louis Cameron Gossett grew up in Coney Island. His father was a porter, and his mother was a nurse. Later in his career, Gossett added the “Jr.” to his name to honor his father, Louis.
The actor announced in 2010 that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was detected in the early stages.
During the pandemic in 2020, Gossett was hospitalized with COVID.
Gossett was married three times. His marriage to Hattie Glascoe ended in an annulment. He divorced his second wife Christina Mangosing in 1975. His third marriage to actress Cindi James-Reese also ended in divorce in 1992.
Gossett is survived by two sons, Satie from his second marriage and adopted son Sharron.
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