Louis Gossett Jr. has passed away at the age of 87.
He was the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar.
Driving the news: Gossett also won an Emmy for his part in the TV miniseries Roots.
- Gossett began his acting career at a young age and achieved success with his Academy Award-winning role in An Officer and a Gentleman.
- He had a diverse acting career, appearing in Broadway productions, films, and TV shows, and working with notable actors such as James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Steve McQueen.
- In his 2010 memoir, Gossett shared his experiences with racism and discrimination, but also his determination to rise above it.
- Gossett founded the Eracism Foundation to help combat racism and create a world where it doesn’t exist.
- His breakthrough role came in the 1977 miniseries Roots, and he went on to win an Oscar and Golden Globe for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman.