Louis Gossett Jr.'s Life in Photos

Louis Gossett Jr. winner of Best Supporting Actor for An Officer and a Gentleman. Academy Award Oscar ceremony, Los Angeles, USA - 11 Apr 1983 — Louis Gossett Jr. at the 1983 Oscars. Photo:
Elisa Leonelli/Shutterstock

Louis Gossett Jr. has had one of the most impactful careers in film and television.

The beloved actor, who was revered for his work in Roots, An Officer and a Gentleman, Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too and The Color Purple, died on March, 28 per the Associated Press. His nephew told the outlet that he died in Santa Monica, California. He is survived by his two adult sons, Satie and Sharon.

In commemoration of his incredible life and legacy, see Louis Gossett Jr.'s life in photos below.

01 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr.'s Serendipitous Start

A RAISIN IN THE SUN, from left: Sidney Poitier, Louis Gossett Jr., 1961 — Louis Gossett Jr. and Sidney Poitier.
courtesy everett collection

Louis Gossett Jr. was in training to be a New York Knick when he got the call from Lorraine Hansberry to star in the original 1959 Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun.

"They said the part comes with $700 per diem, more money than most professional athletes had in the bank at the time. I put the basketball down, and the rest is history," he told PEOPLE earlier this year.

02 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Stars in 'Roots'

ROOTS, Louis Gossett Jr., Levar Burton, 1977. — courtesy everett collection

In 1977, Gossett Jr., pictured above with Levar Burton, starred as Fiddler in the groundbreaking TV series, Roots. The actor would go on to win an Emmy for his powerful performance.

03 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Hits the Big Screen

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, Richard Gere, Louis Gossett, Jr., 1982, (c) Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection — Louis Gossett with Richard Gere.
Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Now an established actor, the New York Native starred as the no-nonsense Marine Sgt. Emil Foley opposite Richard Gere in the 1982 drama, An Officer and a Gentleman.

04 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Wins Gold

American Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award winning actor Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr wins the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for An Officer and a Gentleman during the 55th Academy Awards. — Louis Gossett Jr, wins an Oscar.
Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty

Gossett became the first Black Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner for his performance in the Taylor Hackford-directed film. "I was in shock," he said of the historic moment. "It's been a great life."

05 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Snags a Golden Globe

Louis Gossett Jr. during 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. — Louis Gossett Jr. during 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The film also won him a Golden Globe for best supporting actor. He would go on to snag another trophy in the same category for his role in 1992's The Josephine Baker Story.

06 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Is Live from New York

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 2 -- Pictured: (l-r) Louis Gossett Jr. as General Craig, Joe Piscopo as Mr. Wonderful, Tim Kazurinsky as Seiko, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Weather Woman, Brad Hall as The Human Stapler during 'The Intereseting Four' skit on October 2, 1982 — Louis Gossett Jr. on 'SNL'.
Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

In 1982, the multi-faceted actor showed off his comedy skills by hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live. Above, he is pictured in character alongside Joe Piscopo, Tim Kazurinsky, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brad Hall.

07 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Plays Around with Richard Pryor

THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - "Soul Club" 1/29/71 Richard Pryor, Louis Gossett Jr., Extras — Louis Gossett Jr. with Richard Pryor.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

"We had a ball," Gossett told PEOPLE about his time shooting a 1971 episode of the television sitcom, The Patridge Family alongside Richard Pryor. "It was amazing working with him."

08 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr. Opens Up About Fatherhood

Louis Gossett Jr. and sons Sharron Anthony Gossett and Satie Gossett — Louis Gossett Jr. with his sons Sharron Anthony Gossett and Satie Gossett.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Gossett, who was married three times, leaves behind two adult sons, Sharron and Satie, and some grandchildren. "Fatherhood is not always easy," the actor admitted.

"No time for error. The magnifying glass is on you and there is a lot of pressure. The good news is the success of my sons," he said of Satie, 49, who's a producer-director and Sharron, 46, who's a chef.

09 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr.'s Activism

Louis Gossett Jr. showing his Eracism t-shirt during The Premiere Screening of The Showtime Original Picture "Jasper, Texas" at Directors Guild Of America Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States. — Louis Gossett Jr.
Mark Sullivan/WireImage

In 2017, Gossett opened up about the time he was racially profiled by cops while in Beverly Hills back in 1966. "They cuffed me to a tree," he stated. Through his Eracism Foundation, he aimed to create more unity saying, "We reject any kind of injustice. We need each other."

10 of 10

Louis Gossett Jr.'s Everlasting Legacy

Louis Gossett Jr., Jan 1978. ph: George Peper / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection — Louis Gossett Jr.
George Peper / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection

When looking back at his life, Gossett emphasized the importance of doing better. "We improve one generation at a time for the benefit of us all," the actor told PEOPLE in 2016. "That's the role of an elder."