Louis Gossett, Jr., the first African-American actor to win an Oscar and an Emmy for his portrayal of Fiddler in the 1977 television miniseries Roots (which chronicled the atrocities of slavery), has passed away at the age of 87. Gossett’s nephew, Paul Gossett, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the actor passed away in Santa Monica, California. There was no immediate word on the cause of death.
After a long career in both stage and film, Gossett’s breakthrough came in 1977 when he was cast as Fiddler in Roots, a multi-part series that starred Ben Vereen and LeVar Burton, as well as John Amos. Gossett went on to become the third Black actor to win an Academy Award for supporting actor in 1983 for his portrayal of the grim Marine drill instructor in the film An Officer and a gentleman (starring Richard Gere) opposite Debra Winger, for which he was also nominated for a Golden Globe.
Action fans will best know Gossett from Enemy Mine, Toy Soldiers, Cover Up, The Punisher Firewalker, and his role as ‘Chappy’ in the Iron Eagle franchise.
R.I.P.
