Close Menu
    Advertise With Us
    Religion

    Celebrating the life and legacy of Louis trailblazing actor Gossett Jr.

    4 Mins Read0 Views
    Louis Gossett Jr. poses for a portrait in New York to promote the release of “Roots: The Complete Original Series” on Bu-ray on May 11, 2016. Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 87. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP, File)
    Advertisement

    By Ericka Alston Buck 

    (Source Special to The AFRO):

    The world is mourning the loss of a legendary actor whose talent and charisma graced both the big and small screens for decades. Louis Gossett Jr., an icon of stage and screen, died March 29 at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that forever will be cherished by fans and peers alike.

    Sign up for our Daily eBlast to get coverage on Black communities from the media company who has been doing it right for over 130 years.

    Gossett’s journey in the entertainment industry was nothing short of remarkable.

    Born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 27, 1936, he discovered his passion for acting at a young age and pursued it with unwavering determination. His early years were marked by perseverance and hard work, as he honed his craft on stage and screen, steadily carving a name for himself in an industry that often presented formidable challenges.

    In 1953, Gossett made his Broadway debut at the age of 16 after his English teacher encouraged him to try out for “Take a Giant Step.”

    “I knew too little to be nervous,” Gossett wrote in his memoir. “In retrospect, I should have been scared to death as I walked onto that stage, but I wasn’t.”

    In 1959, he appeared in the acclaimed play “A Raisin in the Sun,” portraying George Murchison alongside a stellar cast led by Sidney Poitier. His performance earned him critical acclaim and set the stage for a prolific career that would span over six decades.

    He reprised that role in 1961 in the Hollywood version of the play, marking his first appearance in the silver screen.

    Throughout his illustrious career, Gossett distinguished himself as a versatile actor capable of embodying a wide range of roles with depth and authenticity. From powerful dramas to lighthearted comedies, he captivated audiences with his commanding presence and magnetic charisma. Whether playing a tough drill sergeant in “An Officer and a Gentleman” or a compassionate mentor in “Roots,” Gossett brought a level of nuance and gravitas to his performances that left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of viewers.

    One of Gossett’s most iconic roles came in 1982 when he portrayed Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” opposite Richard Gere. His portrayal of the no-nonsense drill instructor earned him widespread acclaim and garnered him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first African American male to win in that category.

    Beyond his impressive body of work on screen, Gossett was also a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Throughout his career, he advocated for greater representation of people of color in the entertainment industry, using his platform to amplify marginalized voices and push for meaningful change. His efforts paved the way for future generations of actors and filmmakers, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in an industry often resistant to change.

    As news of Gossett’s death spreads, tributes pour in from fans, colleagues and admirers around the world, each one reflecting on the profound impact he had on their lives and the industry as a whole. For many, Gossett was more than just an actor; he was a beacon of hope and inspiration, a symbol of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

    His legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched and the timeless performances he delivered. From his groundbreaking work in “Roots” to his unforgettable turn in “Iron Eagle,” Gossett’s influence reverberates far beyond the confines of the silver screen, reminding us of the power of storytelling to unite, inspire, and uplift.

    “He was a remarkable actor and professional. He showed up to set and to life with generosity and great wisdom regarding entertainment,” said Baltimore entertainer Rain Pryor, an American actress. Her television credits include sitcoms “Head of the Class” and “Rude Awakening.” She is the daughter of comedian legend Richard Pryor.

    “The man was an amazing actor very professional on and off set,” said fan Doug Magoch. “Every movie I have seen of his, the depth of his acting made you believe his characters. He, in my eyes, is in a class of his own. He will surely be missed.”

    CORRECTION: A previous version of this story was changed to correct Gossett’s age and the year and play in which he made his Broadway debut among other editorial revisions.

    Share.

    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

    Related Posts

    This College Chaplain Fills The Pews By Teaching, Not Preaching Lawrence Lockett Jr., Morgan State University chaplain. Credit: Lawrence Lockett Jr. via LinkedIn By REV. DOROTHY S. BOULWARE (Source: Amsterdam News) It’s understandable for parents of strong faith to worry about the spiritual lives of their children who’ve gone away to college. After all, it’s easy for a young person, perhaps on their own for the first time, to suc-cumb to the temptations of partying late on Saturday night and sleeping in on Sunday morning. But Minister Lawrence Lockett Jr., chaplain at Morgan State University in Baltimore, is packing them into the pews most Sundays. He is engaging them in lively ways during the week. And students are joining the choir, accompanying worship on various instruments, and serving as readers and leaders throughout the service. It is by the grace of God for sure, but also by the loving service of Lockett, who’s beginning his second year as the school’s director of chapel. He has grown his flock from the 25 or so students who showed up at his first services to more than 200 each Sunday. Sometimes, it’s standing room only. “We’ve been trying to figure out what to do next because on Easter Sunday we had 342 people, and some were standing in the back,” he said. Word In Black talked to Lockett about the secrets of his success: how his adjustment of Sunday ser-vices got people into the pews, why his philosophy for guiding students on their spiritual journey centers on independent thought, and how his “Spin the Block” initiative is shaking things up on campus. The in-terview has been edited for length and clarity. Word in Black: The first thing we want to know is, how do you get so many young people to chapel every Sunday?. Lawrence Lockett: Well, first of all, I changed the time of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I realized a lot of the students like to sleep in late. It gives them time to do whatever they need to do. I’m sure many of them still like to party hearty over the weekend. So they have a good chance just to kind of refocus, recali-brate, get themselves lunch, and then come over to the chapel for service. When I started in November, maybe 20-25 students came, but now it’s over 200 that come every Sun-day, and it’s pretty cool. So now we’re repositioning ourselves to go after the freshman class this year. If we have the same success as last year, there’s definitely not going to be any room. Word in Black: Tell me about pastoring on a college campus. Lawrence Lockett: Morgan actually started as a biblical institute, so the Christian traditions have al-ways been here. As a pastor or shepherd, I’m walking students through their questions, not always just trying to preach answers to them. It’s about being vulnerable. I tell them I was in their same position, just trying to figure it out. And it’s not me just trying to give them answers. Having been there helps me really walk with them and anchor them in the storm of life that’s going to come. I want them to understand that their soul really matters. A lot of students focus on mental health, but they really need to focus on spiritual health as well. It should be one and the same. So I’ve been trying to preach that, if anything, spiritual health is just as important as your mental health. But we do encour-age the use of the counseling center, for sure, if there is a mental health crisis. WIB: What does Monday through Friday look like for you? LL: Mondays, we are usually off because of Sundays. On Tuesdays, we have Bible studies, so I’ll host a Bible study at noon along with my colleagues that work in the chapel. And then, I’m teaching a class called Hip-hop and the Gospel on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., dealing with mixing culture and religion. On Wednesdays, we do something called “breath and balance,” which is just a meditative type of pro-gram with breathing exercises as stress relievers. We work with the School of Nutrition Science and the food resource center so that the students get a nice free meal and practice breathing exercises and meth-ods to feel good about the day. For Thursdays, we started something called the mosaic, in which we have different campus ministers gather in small groups, just like a mosaic painting. So the students who come on Sundays then get plugged into small groups on Thursdays. And on Fridays at 1 p.m., we do prayer for Muslims.. We have an imam lecture and then lead in corporate prayer. It’s a good mix. WIB: What is “Spend a Block?” Didn’t you receive an award for it? LL: That started last year. We just basically do services outside: outside the residence halls, in the quad, wherever it may be. Honestly, worship on a college campus looks different than it did 20 or 30 years ago. Students want something real and authentic, something they can gravitate to, and something that’s convenient. So when we’re outside, people are like, “What’s all the noise outside? What’s all the music?” Then they come outside, and there are chairs, so they grab one and sit and enjoy the service. We come to them. They don’t have to come to us. At the very beginning of the semester, we do services outside the four resi-dence halls. And that kind of gives us a steamroll into homecoming week. And we’ve seen a lot of success because of that. WIB: What should I expect when I arrive for Sunday service? LL: You’re gonna see a lot of involvement with students. I’ve learned that students like to feel invested, and they want to participate in what’s going on. They don’t want to be told by adults what they should and shouldn’t do. So when you go to the service, you’ll see our praise team full of students. You’ll see a choir full of students. You’ll see students reading scripture. You’ll see students giving testimonies. And then I’ll come in and give a sermon, or I’ll have a guest friend or a guest preacher come in to do the sermon. But you’re gonna see a lot of student involvement, and I think that also assisted with a lot of the growth be-cause when they see fellow students, they understand they’re just like me, and if they can do it, I can do it. WIB: What about musicians and choir? LL: The musicians are also students. They say, “Hey, I love to play. I wanna use my gifts in some way, shape, or form.” And they’ll ask whether or not there’s a spot for them. And we say absolutely. And there is a chapel choir. Some of the members are also members of the university choir. WIB: What is the “next” you see for the chapel? LL: I want the students to know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. The chapel really is the heartbeat of the campus, and I want students to know more about where faith, hope, and belonging really stem from. I also want the chapel to become more interfaith and involve as many students and beliefs as possible.