Louis Gossett Jr., Oscar Award-Winning Actor, Dies at 87

[branfont]

Louis Gossett, Jr., the Oscar and Emmy winner who appeared in HBO's "Watchmen" and the first film adaptation based on "The Punisher," has died. He was 87 years old. Gossett was the first Black man to receive an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, winning for 1982's "A Officer and a Gentleman," and also earned an Emmy Award for his role in the acclaimed miniseries "Roots." Gossett debuted on Broadway in 1953, starring in "Take a Giant Step" at age 16. He went to New York University, and befriended '50s luminaries like James Dean, Marilyn Munroe, Martin Landau and Steve McQueen in the early days of his career.

Gossett's screen career began with 1961's adaptation of "A Raisin in the Sun," and for decades, he played roles that explored the Black experience in both contemporary and historical American society. His final onscreen role came in 2023's adaptation of "The Color Purple."

Gossett's life story is well-documented, not only because he spent decades in the public eye but also because he wrote a 2010 memoir, titled "An Actor and a Gentleman." In it, he talks about his experiences in and around the madness of Hollywood, from abusive Los Angeles cops to his unlikely connection to the Manson Family. Per the Associated Press, Gossett claims that he was actually about to leave for a party at actress Sharon Tate's house, when he saw on the news that Tate had been murdered by members of the notorious cult.

 

 

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/louis-gossett-jr-dies-87-oscar-winner-watchmen-roots-iron-eagle/

[+primortal Subscriber²]

God speed Louis, you'll be missed ❤️

[Enigmatic Irreverence]

The day I ended up at a random friends house and they happened to have had Enemy Mine about started as we sat down to eat. I came away determined to find out who played the role of Drac he was that darn great, it was not very often back then a performance like that etched itself in my brain but his did.

The iron eagle has ascended. 

[+Warwagon MVC]

Photo would be nice

It's a younger photo, but I recognize him

[branfont]

On 29/03/2024 at 08:18, Enigmatic Irreverence said:

The day I ended up at a random friends house and they happened to have had Enemy Mine about started as we sat down to eat. I came away determined to find out who played the role of Drac he was that darn great, it was not very often back then a performance like that etched itself in my brain but his did.

The iron eagle has ascended. 

I remember seeing "Enemy Mine" (1985) in the theatre back then, but I what I don't remember if I saw it before Xmas or just after the new year. 

I did watch it again a few years ago. There were rumours of a sequel, but clearly they weren't true.

Maybe I should watch the "Iron Eagle" trilogy again, although IMHO, they went downhill after part 2. I actually enjoy the first IE more than "Top Gun" (1986).

[+Raphaël G. MVC]

Rest in peace Louis 😢❤️

I immediately thought of Iron Eagle when seeing this. It was my favorite movie as a teenager.

[+Raze Subscriber²]

Rest in Peace, Mr. Gossett.

[FloatingFatMan]

On 29/03/2024 at 17:51, branfont said:

I remember seeing "Enemy Mine" (1985) in the theatre back then, but I what I don't remember if I saw it before Xmas or just after the new year. 

I did watch it again a few years ago. There were rumours of a sequel, but clearly they weren't true.

Maybe I should watch the "Iron Eagle" trilogy again, although IMHO, they went downhill after part 2. I actually enjoy the first IE more than "Top Gun" (1986).

I count Enemy Mine and Iron Eagle 1 among my top favourite movies of all time.  Enemy Mine especially is hugely underrated.  Rest in peace sir, and thank you for the entertainment.