Louis Gossett Jr, the first black man to win an Oscar for best supporting actor, dies

Louis Gossett Jr. , Dead at the Age of 87. According to a statement from his family, Gossett died on the morning of March 29 in Santa Monica, California, AP reports. Gossett was the first Black man to win both an Oscar for best supporting actor and an Emmy for his role in the TV mini-series 'Roots.'. His first cousin, Neal L. Gossett, told AP that he remembers Louis as a great joke-teller who faced and fought against racism with both dignity and humor. Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. , Neal L. Gossett, via Associated Press. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for, Neal L. Gossett, via Associated Press. In 1983, Gossett won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role as a Marine drill instructor in 'An Officer and a Gentleman.'. In 1983, Gossett won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role as a Marine drill instructor in 'An Officer and a Gentleman.'. In his 2010 memoir, , 'An Actor and a Gentleman,' Gossett called the win, "a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor.". In Dave Karger’s 2024 book, '50 Oscar Nights,' Gossett said, “The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat’ and ‘Iron Eagle.’". In Dave Karger’s 2024 book, '50 Oscar Nights,' Gossett said, “The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat’ and ‘Iron Eagle.’". Gossett is survived by his sons, Satie and Sharron.