Legendary Actor Passes Away
It was reported by Gossett's nephew to the AP that the actor passed away on Thursday night in Santa Monica, California. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Gossett always viewed his early career as a reverse Cinderella tale, where success discovered him at a young age and propelled him towards winning an Academy Award for his role in "An Officer and a Gentleman."
His journey in acting began in his Brooklyn high school, where he received his first acting credit in the production of "You Can't Take It with You" while recovering from a basketball injury.
"I was hooked — and so was my audience," he mentioned in his memoir "An Actor and a Gentleman" published in 2010.
Encouraged by his English teacher, Gossett auditioned for "Take a Giant Step" in Manhattan and landed the role, marking his Broadway debut at the age of 16 in 1953.
"I knew too little to be nervous," Gossett reflected. "In retrospect, I should have been scared to death as I walked onto that stage, but I wasn't."
Gossett's journey in the entertainment industry began at New York University, where he attended on a basketball and drama scholarship. His talent quickly landed him roles on various TV shows hosted by notable personalities such as David Susskind, Ed Sullivan, and Merv Griffin. Gossett also had the opportunity to build friendships with icons like James Dean and study acting under the guidance of Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau, and Steve McQueen at a branch of the Actors Studio led by Frank Silvera.
His breakthrough came in 1959 when he received critical acclaim for his role in the Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun" alongside Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands.
"I'm fortunate to have worked with Sidney Poitier, Diana Sands, Ruby Dee. What a pleasure," Gossett expressed in a 2020 interview with CBS News. "Showed me what was good and what was bad. They taught me about that. And I fell in love. It's in my bloodstream."
Following his success on Broadway, Gossett ventured into Hollywood, taking on the role of Sammy Davis Jr. in "Golden Boy" in 1964. His Hollywood journey began in 1961 with the film adaptation of "A Raisin in the Sun," although marred by unpleasant memories of the accommodations available to Black individuals at the time.
In 1968, he returned to Hollywood for a significant role in "Companions in Nightmare," NBC's inaugural made-for-TV movie featuring esteemed actors like Melvyn Douglas, Anne Baxter, and Patrick O'Neal.
This time, Gossett found himself checked into the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel with a convertible rented by Universal Studios. As he drove back to the hotel after picking up the car, a Los Angeles County sheriff's officer pulled him over, instructing him to lower the radio volume and raise the car's roof before allowing him to proceed.
Moments later, he was once again stopped, this time by eight sheriff's officers. They had him stand against the car, search the trunk, and contact the car rental agency before eventually releasing him.
"Something went wrong with my system. You know, you have to be cautious and vigilant. Because that experience caused harm to me," Gossett recounted the incident in 2020. "So, when they say Black lives matter? All lives matter, because not only did they harm me, but they harmed themselves."
Later that evening, following a meal at the hotel, he decided to take a stroll and was halted a block away by a police officer. The officer informed him that he had violated a law prohibiting walking in residential Beverly Hills after 9 p.m. Two more officers joined the scene, and Gossett described being chained to a tree and handcuffed for three hours. He was eventually released when the initial police car returned.
"Now I had encountered racism firsthand, and it was a repulsive sight," he penned. "But it was not going to break me."
Back in the late 1990s, Gossett recounted an incident where he was stopped by the police on Pacific Coast Highway while cruising in his meticulously restored 1986 Rolls Royce Corniche II. The officer mentioned he resembled someone they were on the lookout for, but upon closer inspection, the officer recognized Gossett and swiftly let him go.
To further his mission of eradicating racism, Gossett established the Eracism Foundation with the aim of fostering a world free from the shackles of racism.
Gossett also made notable guest appearances on popular shows like "Bonanza," "The Rockford Files," "The Mod Squad," "McCloud," and shared the screen with Richard Pryor in a memorable episode of "The Partridge Family."
In a chilling twist of fate, in August 1969, Gossett had been socializing with members of the Mamas and the Papas when they received an invitation to actor Sharon Tate's residence. Opting to head home first for a quick shower and change of attire, Gossett narrowly missed being at Tate's house when she and others fell victim to Charles Manson's followers that tragic night.
Reflecting on his escape, he mused, "There had to be a reason for my dodging this bullet."
Louis Cameron Gossett came into the world on May 27, 1936, in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, born to Louis Sr., a porter, and Hellen, a nurse. In tribute to his father, he later appended Jr. to his name.
Gossett rose to prominence on the small screen with his portrayal of Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries "Roots," which shed light on the horrors of slavery through the lens of television. The stellar ensemble cast featured talents like Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, and John Amos.
Gossett found himself as the third Black Oscar nominee in the supporting actor category back in 1983. His role as the intimidating Marine drill instructor in "An Officer and a Gentleman" opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger earned him the prestigious award. Reflecting on the moment, Gossett shared with CBS News that the news came as a shock to him. "My agent hit me in the chest and said, 'They mentioned your name!' And I had to look at him 'cause I thought I was asleep," he recalled. The realization dawned on him as he heard the applause, making it a moment of history that he will always cherish.
Winning the Oscar opened doors for Gossett, allowing him to pick and choose "good parts" in future movies. In a 2020 interview with CBS News, he expressed gratitude for his long career, considering it a blessing. He vowed to continue working in the industry for as long as he was physically able, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the collective benefit of all.
Throughout his career, Gossett appeared in various TV movies such as "The Story of Satchel Paige," "Backstairs at the White House," and "The Josephine Baker Story," which also earned him a Golden Globe. His portrayal of an obstinate patriarch in the 2023 remake of "The Color Purple" showcased his versatility as an actor.
However, Gossett faced personal struggles post his Oscar win, battling alcohol and cocaine addiction for years. Seeking help, he entered rehab where he was diagnosed with toxic mold syndrome, which he believed stemmed from his residence in Malibu.
In the year 2010, it was revealed that Gossett had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he mentioned was detected in its early stages. However, in 2020, he was admitted to the hospital due to being infected with COVID-19.
He is survived by his sons Satie, who works as a producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron, a chef whom he adopted after witnessing the 7-year-old on a television segment about children in dire circumstances. Additionally, his first cousin is the renowned actor Robert Gossett.
Gossett's initial marriage to Hattie Glascoe was annulled, while his second marriage to Christina Mangosing concluded in divorce in 1975, as did his third marriage to actor Cyndi James-Reese in 1992.
