Louis Gossett Jr., known for his unforgettable roles in An Officer and a Gentleman and the TV series Roots, has passed away at the age of 87. He made history as the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, breaking barriers in Hollywood.
Throughout his life, Gossett worked on more than 200 Hollywood projects, with 12 more still waiting to be released, according to IMDb. Sadly, he won’t be able to see these future works come to life.
On March 28, 2024, Gossett died in Santa Monica, California. NPR reported his passing, and a death certificate obtained by TMZ revealed that he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which, along with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, led to his death. He had battled COPD for years, and it was announced that his remains would be cremated.
Before he became a Hollywood icon, Gossett began his acting career on the stage. He performed on Broadway alongside greats like Marilyn Monroe and Sidney Poitier, laying the foundation for his remarkable career in film and television.
When Gossett transitioned to Hollywood, he was greeted with respect but also faced brutal racism. He once shared a troubling story about being detained by the police for hours while trying to reach his hotel. “It should’ve taken 20 minutes,” he explained, “but it turned into a four-and-a-half-hour ordeal just because they didn’t believe I belonged.”
Gossett also battled with drug and alcohol addiction, issues that nearly derailed his career. He sought help and entered rehab two decades ago, completing a 12-step program that changed his life. “Resentment is a killer,” he often said, pointing to his focus on healing and moving forward.