Louis Gossett, Jr.

Louis Gossett, Jr.
The MovieGuide Faith and Values Awards Gala, 2008 Born Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr.
May 27, 1936(1936-05-27) (age 72)
Brooklyn, New York, USASpouse(s) Hattie Glascoe
Christina Mangosing (1973-1975)
Cyndi James (1987-1992) Awards won Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor
1982 An Officer and a Gentleman Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor - Miniseries or a Movie
1977 Roots
Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Children's Special
1998 In His Father's Shoes Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
1983 An Officer and a Gentleman
Best Supporting Actor - Series/Miniseries/TV Movie
1992 The Josephine Baker Story NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
1982 An Officer and a Gentleman
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1998 Touched by an Angel

Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. (born May 27, 1936) is an American Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award winning actor.

1 Biography
2 Filmography
- 2.1 Film
- 2.2 Television
3 Theatre
4 References
5 External links

Biography

Early life

Louis Gossett, Jr. was born in Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. He was raised by his mother Hellen Rebecca Wray Gossett and his father, Louis Gossett, Sr. A sports injury left Gossett, Jr. with no choice but to take an acting class, and at 16 he made his stage debut in the school's production of You Can't Take It with You.

After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School (New York) in 1954, he attended New York University, on an athletic scholarship. Standing 6'4', he became a star basketball player during his college years at NYU. The New York Knicks were so impressed with Gossett's athletic ability, that they offered a professional contract upon graduation. He played with them briefly in 1958, before choosing to focus completely on his acting career.

Career

After leaving the New York Knicks, Gossett stepped into the world of cinema in the Sidney Poitier vehicle A Raisin in the Sun in 1961.

Since his film debut, Gossett has continued working. He has starred in numerous film productions such as The Deep, An Officer and a Gentleman, Jaws 3-D (as SeaWorld manager Calvin Bouchard), Enemy Mine, the Iron Eagle series, Toy Soldiers and The Punisher. His role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman (opposite Richard Gere) showcased his talent and garnered him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1986, he starred in another role as a military man in the film Iron Eagle. It was followed by three sequels.

Gossett's Broadway theatre credits include A Raisin in the Sun (1959), Golden Boy (1964), and Chicago (2002).

He also has performed in other media, including television productions. In fact, it was his Emmy award-winning role of "Fiddler" in the 1977 groundbreaking television miniseries Roots that first brought Gossett to the audience's attention. In 1983, Gossett was cast in the title role in Sadat, a miniseries which chronicled the life and assassination of Anwar Sadat. While filming An Officer and a Gentleman, Gossett was also starring in the 1982–1983 science fiction series, The Powers of Matthew Star.

Gossett also co-wrote the antiwar folk song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens.

Gossett is the voice of the Vortigaunts in the video game Half-Life 2 (although he did not return for a later instalment in the series, "Half-Life 2: Episode Two") and is also the Free Jaffa Leader (Gerak) in Season 9 of Stargate SG-1.

He also played the role of US President Gerald Fitzhugh in the movie Left Behind: World at War.

As of June 2007, Gossett recorded several commercials for a (Nashville) based diabetic company, AmMed Direct, LLC.

Gossett provides the voice of Lucius Fox in The Batman.

In 1997 Louis presented When Animals Attack! 4 a one hour special on Fox.

Philanthropy

In 2007, Lou Gossett, Jr., was the honored guest and keynote speaker for the alumni hall of fame gala benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, St. Petersburg, Florida. Mr. Gossett has appeared every year supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He is an alumnus himself and has continued to work for and with the organization.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Other notes 1961 A Raisin in the SunGeorge Murchison 1969 The Bushbaby Tembo 1970 The LandlordCopee Leo the LastRoscoe 1971 Skin GameJason O'Rourke 1972 Travels with My AuntZachary/'Wordsworth' 1973 The Laughing PolicemanInsp. James Larrimore SFPD The Fuzz Brothers Francis Fuzz 1976 J. D.'s RevengeRev. Elija Bliss The River Niger Dr. Dudley Stanton 1977 The ChoirboysCalvin Motts The DeepHenri Cloche 1980 It Rained All Night the Day I Left Leo Garcia 1982 An Officer and a GentlemanGunnery Sergeant Emil Foley Academy Award; Golden Globe Award; NAACP Image Award1983 Jaws 3-DCalvin Bouchard Razzie Award(nominated) 1984 Finders KeepersCentury 1985 Enemy MineJeriba 'Jerry' Shigan Saturn Award(nominated) 1986 FirewalkerLeo Porter Iron EagleChappy Sinclair 1987 The PrincipalJake Phillips 1988 Iron Eagle IIChappy Sinclair 1989 The PunisherJake Berkowitz 1991 Toy SoldiersDean Parker Cover Up Lou Jackson 1992 Diggstown'Honey' Roy Palmer Aces: Iron Eagle IIIChappy Sinclair 1993 Flashfire Ben Durand Monolith Capt. MacCandless 1994 Curse of the Starving Class Ellis A Good Man in AfricaProf. Sam Adekunle Blue ChipsFather Dawkins 1995 Iron Eagle IVChappy Sinclair 1996 Managua Paul 1997 Legend of the Mummy Corbeck The Wall That Heals Narrator 1999 Y2K Morgan 2000 The Highwayman Phil Bishop 2002 Deceived Col. David Garrett Direct-to-Video Release 2005 Left Behind: World at War President Gerald FitzhughWindow Ralph Stanley 2006 Club Soda Doc All In Caps 2007 Cover Det. Hicks Daddy's Little GirlsWillie 2008 DelgoZahn (voice) awaiting release The B.A.M.N. Squad TBA awaiting release The Perfect GameCool Papa Bell awaiting release The Least Among You Samuel Benton post-production

Television

Year Title Role Other notes 2007 The Batman Lucius FoxVoice Role 2006 Family GuySergeant Angryman Voice Role
Episode: Saving Private Brian2005-2006 Stargate SG-1 Gerak2005 Lackawanna BluesOl'lem Taylor HBO TV-Movie Solar AttackPresident Ryan Gordon Direct-to-DVD Release 2004 Half & HalfRay Willis Episode: The Big Lover, My Brother Episode
Episode: The Big Thanks for Nothing Episode 2003 MomentumRaymond Addison SCI FI TV-MovieJasper, Texas R.C. Horn Image Award(nominated)
Showtime TV-Movie The Dead ZonePastor David Lewis Episode: Zion2002 Resurrection Blvd.Ezekiel 'Zeke' Grant Episode: En Un Momento
Episode: Esperando Lagrimas What About Your Friends: Weekend GetawayDr. Barnes UPN TV-MovieOpening Ceremony Salt Lake Paralympic Winter Games Narrator 2001 For Love of Olivia Daniel Stewart CBS TV-Movie2000 The Color of Love: Jacey's Story Lou Hastings Satellite Award(nominated)
CBS TV-MovieThe Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence Inspector Frank Hughes Showtime TV-MovieDr. Lucille David Mulera TV-Movie1999 Strange JusticeVernon Jordan Showtime TV-MovieLove Songs Reuben Segment: A Love Song for Dad
Showtime TV-Movie
Black Reel Award(won-1) (nominated-1) 1998 The Inspectors Inspector Frank Hughes Showtime TV-Movie1997 EllenSgt. Timko Episode: G.I. Ellen Early EditionJim Matthews Episode: The MedalIn His Father's Shoes Frank Crosby/Richard CableACE Award(nominated)
Daytime Emmy Award(won-1) (nominated-1)
Showtime TV-MovieTo Dance with Olivia Daniel Stewart CBS TV-Movie Touched by an AngelAnderson Walker Episode: Amazing Grace (1)
Episode: Amazing Grace (2)
Emmy Award(nominated)
Image Award(won) 1996 Inside Questioner TV-MovieRun for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story Bob Kersee TV-MovieCaptive Heart: The James Mink Story James Mink Image Award(nominated)
TV-Movie1995 Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder Ray Alexander Zooman Rueben Tate A Father for Charlie Walter Osgood 1994 Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice Ray Alexander NBC TV-Movie Picket FencesRick Jennings Episode: Terms of Estrangement1993 Return to Lonesome DoveIsom Pickett MiniseriesFather & Son: Dangerous Relations NBC TV-MovieStory of a People Host Miniseries1991 Keeper of the City Det. James Dela TV-MovieCarolina Skeletons James Bragg NBC TV-MovieThe Josephine Baker Story Sidney Williams Golden Globe Award(won)
HBO TV-Movie1990 Sudie and Simpson Simpson TV-Movie Captain Planet and the PlaneteersCommander Clash Voice Role El Diablo Van Leek HBO TV-Movie1989 Gideon OliverGideon Oliver 1988 Roots: The GiftFiddler ABC TV-MovieGoodbye, Miss 4th of July Big John Creed Disney Channel TV-MovieSam Found Out: A Triple Play ABC TV-Movie1987 The Father Clements Story Father Clements NBC TV-Movie A Gathering of Old MenMathu Emmy Award(nominated)
CBS TV-Movie1984 The Guardian John Mack CableACE Award(nominated)
HBO TV-Movie1982-1983 The Powers of Matthew StarWalter 'Walt' Shepherd/D'Hai 1983 Sadat Anwar al-Sadat Emmy Award(nominated)
Golden Globe Award(nominated)
TV-Movie1982 Saturday Night LiveHost Episode: Louis Gossett Jr/George Thorogood & The DestroyersBenny's Place Benny Moore ABC TV-Movie American PlayhouseEpisode: Zora is My Name! 1981 Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige Leroy 'Satchel' Paige ABC TV-Movie1980 Palmerstown, USA Emmy Award(nominated) 1979 The Lazarus Syndrome Dr. MacArthur St. Clair Lawman Without a Gun Tom Hayward NBC TV-Movie Backstairs at the White HouseLevi Mercer Emmy Award(nominated)
NBC Miniseries1978 The Critical List Lem Harper NBC TV-MovieTo Kill a Cop Everett Walker Uncredited Role
NBC TV-MovieThe Sentry Collection Presents Ben Vereen: His Roots Emmy Award(nominated) The Lazarus Syndrome Dr. MacArthur St. Clair ABC TV-Movie1976-1977 The Rockford FilesMarcus 'Gabby' Hayes Episode: Foul on the First Play
Episode: Just Another Polish Wedding1977 Visions Rex Episode: Freeman RootsFiddler Emmy Award(won)
TV Land Awards(won)
ABC MiniseriesLittle Ladies of the Night Russ Garfield ABC TV-Movie1975-1976 Police StoryFreddie
Virgil Barnes Episode: The Cut Man Caper
Episode: 50 Cents-First Half Hour, $1.75 All Day 1976 Little House on the PrairieHenry Hill Episode: The Long Road Home1974-1975 Good TimesDonald Knight
Uncle Wilbert Episode: Thelma's Young Man
Episode: Michael's Big Fall PetrocelliD.A. Kurt Olson Episode: A Very Lonely Lady
Episode: A Fallen Idol 1975 The Six Million Dollar ManO'Flaherty Episode: Clark Templeton O’Flaherty The JeffersonsWendell Brown Episode: George's Best Friend Harry OCleon Jackson Episode: Shades Caribe David Wallace Episode: The Assassin Delancey Street: The Crisis Within Otis James NBC TV-MovieBlack Bart Black Bart CBS TV-Movie Lucas TannerBobby Koball Episode: Bonus Baby 1974 McCloudDewey Justin Episode: Shivaree on Delancy StreetThe White Dawn Portagee ABC TV-Movie SidekicksJason O'Rourke TV remake of Gossett's 1971 Skin Game
CBS TV-Movie It's Good to Be AliveSam Brockington CBS TV-Movie1973 Owen Marshall: Counselor at LawEpisode: An Often and Familiar Ghost 1968-1969, 1972 The Mod SquadSmitty
Lloyd
Charley Jameson Episode: When Smitty Comes Marching Home
Episode: The Uptight Town
Episode: Can You Hear Me Out There? 1972 Love, American StyleSegment: Love and the Christmas Punch... The RookiesToby Jones Episode: Covenant with Death The Living End Doug Newman CBS TV-Pilot InsightEpisode: The Man from Inner Space 1970-1971 The Young RebelsIsak Poole 1971 Cade's CountyEpisode: The Alien Land Alias Smith and JonesJoe Sims Episode: The Bounty Hunter The Bold Ones: The New DoctorsDr. Karnes Episode: One Lonely Step LongstreetSergeant Cory Episode: The Way of the Intercepting Fist BonanzaBuck Walter Episode: The Desperado The Partridge FamilySam Episode: Soul Club Big Fish, Little Fish 1970 The Bill Cosby ShowHurricane Smith Episode: The Return of Big Bad Bubba Bronson 1967, 1968 Cowboy in AfricaFulah
Hemera Episode: Fang and Claw
Episode: The Quiet Death 1968 Companions in Nightmare Lt. Adam McKay NBC TV-Movie DaktariMkono Episode: Adam and Jenny The InvadersOllie Episode: The Vise1962 The NursesWilliam Taylor Episode: The Prisoner 1958 The Big StoryJamie Goodwin Episode: The Stubbornest Man

Theatre

2006 Dvorak's New World: Chamber Music Plus. Louis Gossett Jr., narrator, with Aubrey Allicock (Baritone), Sanda Schuldmann (piano), and Harry Clark (writer). [1] [2]