An Officer, a Gentleman, and a Legend: Louis Gossett Jr. Dies at 87

Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a best supporting actor Oscar for “An Officer and a Gentleman,” has died at the age of 87. His portrayal of a drill instructor earned him the Oscar for best supporting actor. He was the first Black performer to win in that category. Mr. Gossett’s first cousin Neal L. Gossett confirmed the death.

Mr. Gossett was 46 when he played Emil Foley, the Marine drill instructor from hell who ultimately shapes the humanity of an emotionally damaged young Naval aviation recruit (Richard Gere) — in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982). Reviewing the movie in The New York Times, Vincent Canby described Sergeant Foley as a cruel taskmaster “recycled as a man of recognizable cunning, dedication, and humor” revealed in “the kind of performance that wins awards.” Mr. Gossett told The Times that he had recognized the role’s worth immediately. “

The words just tasted good,” he recalled. When he accepted the 1983 best supporting actor Oscar, he was the first Black performer to win in that category — and only the third (after Hattie McDaniel and Sidney Poitier) to win an Academy Award for acting.

Louis Gossett Jr. also won an Emmy for his role in “Roots,” where he played Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries that depicted the atrocities of slavery on TV. His career spanned both television and film, and he made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His legacy will be remembered for breaking barriers and leaving a lasting impact on the world of acting and storytelling.

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