Louis Gossett Jr., the Academy Award-winning actor who passed away at the age of 87, had an incredible journey to Hollywood. Before making his mark on stage and screen, Gossett once had dreams of playing basketball for the NBA’s New York Knicks.
Born and raised in New York City, Gossett began his acting career on Broadway in the early 1950s. After finishing high school, he received a scholarship to attend NYU while also pursuing his passion for basketball. The Knicks signed Gossett to a professional contract after his graduation in 1958.
However, fate had something else in store for Gossett. While he was at rookie training for the Knicks, he received a call from renowned playwright Lorraine Hansberry.
She offered him a role in the original 1959 Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun,” starring opposite Sidney Poitier. When Gossett learned about the substantial payment that came with the part, he knew it was time to change course.
The $700 per diem was more money than most professional athletes had in the bank at the time. Gossett made the difficult decision to put down the basketball and pursue a career in acting.
Gossett’s transition to the world of entertainment didn’t end there. He also had a talent for playing the guitar and had been performing in coffee shops in New York’s Greenwich Village. But once he landed his first acting job, he decided to leave the music business behind.
In the 1960s, Gossett relocated to Los Angeles, where he began his successful film and TV career. He earned critical acclaim and an Emmy for his role in the groundbreaking 1977 TV miniseries “Roots.” However, his most significant achievement came in 1983 when he became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He received the prestigious honor for his outstanding performance as a Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Gossett continued to choose projects with purpose throughout his career, including his role as an obstinate patriarch in “The Color Purple.” Retirement was never part of his plan. Even in his later years, Gossett remained passionate about his craft, believing that there was still more for him to accomplish.
Louis Gossett Jr. leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment. He is survived by his two adult sons, Satie and Sharron.
