Actor Louis Gossett Jr., renowned for his iconic roles in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and the TV mini-series ‘Roots’, has passed away at the age of 87.
s career, though he believed it could have been even more remarkable if he had been a white actor. Reflecting on this, he remarked, “You look at my track record over a 55-year period of all the awards. Maybe I should be kind of closer to Clint Eastwood, don’t you think? If you think about the drugs and alcohol, then maybe I should be more like Robert Downey Jr.”
Gossett openly discussed his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to enter rehab 20 years ago. He completed a 12-step program, which involved confronting and eliminating what he termed the “killer” for anyone: resentment. “For me, that killer was resentment,” he explained.
Gossett’s personal life included three marriages, the first of which ended in annulment, while the other two ended in divorce. He is survived by his two children, Satie and Sharron.
Louis Gossett Jr.’s legacy is one of groundbreaking achievements and resilience in the face of adversity. His contributions to the arts and his pioneering role in breaking racial barriers in Hollywood will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
