Louis Gossett Jr cause of death: What did the Oscar-Winning Actor die of?
— Louis Gossett Jr, the first black man to win the best supporting actor Oscar, has died at the age of 87.
Gossett’s first cousin Neal L. Gossett told The Associated Press that the actor died in Santa Monica, California. A statement from the family said Gossett died Friday morning.
Louis Gossett Jr cause of death
Gossett died on March 29, 2024, at the age of 87. No cause of death was given, however, he had previously announced in 2010 that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning. We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” the actor’s family said in its brief statement.
Who was Louis Gossett Jr?
Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 27, 1936, the only child of working-class parents.
Always athletic, he excelled in sports. When he was sidelined with an injury, he took an acting class and impressed his teacher, who encouraged him to try out for a stage play. Gossett was chosen for the part over 400 others and made his Broadway debut while still a teenager in 1953 in “Take a Giant Step.”
He attended New York University and with his 6-foot 4-inch frame seemed destined for a basketball career after graduation. He was invited to the New York Knicks’ rookie camp but decided to pursue acting.
His first big break came in 1959 when he was cast in the original Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun” with Poitier and Ruby Dee. Gossett reprised the role in the 1961 film version of Lorraine Hansberry’s story about segregation.
During the 1960s and 70s he worked in television and starred as a drug dealer in the 1977 film “The Deep” with Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset before being cast in “An Officer and a Gentlemen.”
The following year Gossett starred as slain Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat in “Sadat,” for which he received his fifth Emmy nomination.
Two years after winning praise as Sadat, Gossett opted to play a lizard-like alien in the 1985 sci-fi thriller “Enemy Mine” with Dennis Quaid.
Gossett starred in the 1986 action film “Iron Eagle” and its sequel and earned a new generation of fans with the sci-fi TV drama “Stargate SG-1” in 2005 and as Halle Berry’s father in “Extant.”
The actor, who worked in TV and films into his 80s and branched into producing and directing, was married three times and had two sons.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 he went public with his illness to encourage other African-American men to get tested and treated.
With his Eracism Foundation Gossett dedicated himself to mentoring young people and to helping to create a society where racism does not exist.
Gossett is survived by two sons, Satie and Sharron.
Source: www.atinkanews.net
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