Actor Louis Gossett Jr. died Friday at the age of 87 in Santa Monica, California, his family confirmed. A cause of death has not been made public.
Gossett was best known for his Emmy-winning performance as Fiddler in the 1977 miniseries Roots. He went on to become the first black actor to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the drill sergeant in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman, which also earned him a Golden Globe, and won his second Emmy for his performance in the film In His Father’s Shoes.
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Most recently, Gossett was a part of HBO’s Watchman series cast for a seven-episode span in 2019. From there, Gossett played roles in several more films, the most recent being the 2023 remake of The Color Purple, which snagged him an Oscar nomination.
In 1987, Gossett accompanied then President Ronald Reagan and fellow actors Clint Eastwood, and Charlie Bronson at the White House to honor 38 recipients in the Take Pride in America award, an honor for conservationists. This was the first time the awardees were recognized at the presidential residence.
Fellow actors and tv personalities shared their condolences on X. The NAACP also recognized Gossett in a post Friday.
“Rest in power Louis Gossett Jr. Your incredible talent and unforgettable performances will forever inspire generations to come,” the NAACP wrote. “Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. You will be deeply missed.”
“A big loss in the entertainment industry,” ABC anchor Deborah Roberts wrote. “The unforgettable and talented actor Louis Gossett Jr. has passed away at age 87. Who can forget him in ‘Roots’ and his Oscar-winning performance in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’.”
“In our eyes, you were a LEADING man despite your many inspiring roles as supporting characters,” attorney Ben Crump wrote. “Thank you for your undeniable talent. Rest In Power!”
In his last social media post, the actor wished “everyone many blessings in 2024,” accompanied by a photo of his family.
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Gossett is survived by his sons Satie and Sharron, and a nephew, fellow actor Robert Gossett.
“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning. We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” a statement from his family read.
