Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. has died

The The Associated Press confirmed Louis Gosset Jr., the primary black man to win a supporting actor Oscar, died on Friday. He was 87 years old.

Gossett died Friday morning in Santa Monica, California. No explanation for death was revealed; However, already in 2010, ESSENCE reported that the actor had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

In 1983, Gossett made history because the third black actor to receive an Oscar nomination within the supporting actor category. He bowed after a striking role as a Marine drill instructor within the 1982 film, starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger. He won a Golden Globe for his outstanding performance in the identical role.

Before becoming a household name, he honed his acting talents by attending New York University on a theater scholarship. Shortly thereafter, Gossett appeared on Broadway, and in 1959 he gained critical approval for his portrayal of Travis Younger in Lorraine Hansberry. He later rose to fame on Broadway, getting into the highlight by taking on the role from Billy Daniels in 1964 alongside Sammy Davis Jr.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Rebroadcast with alternate solid.) Special guest Louis Gossett Jr. attends a screening of “A Raisin in the Sun” in the course of the tenth Annual TCM Classic Film Festival 2019 on April 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TCM)

The decorated actor made his small screen debut with the debut of the 1977 film adaptation of Alex Haley’s book, working with beloved black stars LeVar Burton and John Amos. Gossett has guest-starred on popular television shows including , , and . In certainly one of his latest roles, he portrayed Mr. Johnson within the 2023 remake of the film.

After winning the Oscar, Gossett struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction for years, searching for assist in rehab. During rehabilitation, he was diagnosed with toxic mold syndrome, which he linked to his stay in Malibu. In 2020, he faced one other health challenge when he was hospitalized with Covid-19.

His resume includes several Golden Globes, Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards, SAG and NAACP Image Awards. Gossett member of the family Neal L. Gossett said: “Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamour, Rolls-Royces and massive houses in Malibu. It’s concerning the humanity of the people he represented,” his cousin said.

He can be survived by his sons Satie, the producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron.