Foto: courtesy of Democracy Now!
The pioneering actor Louis Gossett Jr. has died at the age of 87. In 1983, he became the first Black performer to win an Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” He died in Santa Monica, California.
Also, Gossett Jr. was an Emmy-winning star of such TV serie as “Roots.” In both times (the movie and the TV serie) he played a mature man who guides a younger one taking on a new role, but in drastically different circumstances.
He was also the founder of the Eracism Foundation, which aimed to erase racism.
Mr. Gossett’s first cousin Neal L. Gossett confirmed the death. He did not specify a cause.
