Louis Gossett, Jr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Louis Gossett, Jr. | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The MovieGuide Faith and Values Awards Gala, 2008 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. May 27, 1936 Brooklyn, New York, USA |
||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Hattie Glascoe Christina Mangosing (1973-1975) Cyndi James (1987-1992) |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. (born May 27, 1936) is an American Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award winning actor.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Louis Gossett, Jr. was born in Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. He was raised by his mother Hellen Rebecca Wray Gossett and his father, Louis Gossett, Sr. A sports injury left Gossett, Jr. with no choice but to take an acting class, and at 16 he made his stage debut in the school's production of You Can't Take It with You.
After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School (New York) in 1954, he attended New York University, on an athletic scholarship. Standing 6'4', he became a star basketball player during his college years at NYU. The New York Knicks were so impressed with Gossett's athletic ability, that they offered a professional contract upon graduation. He played with them briefly in 1958, before choosing to focus completely on his acting career.
[edit] Career
After leaving the New York Knicks, Gossett stepped into the world of cinema in the Sidney Poitier vehicle A Raisin in the Sun in 1961.
Since his film debut, Gossett has continued working. He has starred in numerous film productions such as The Deep, An Officer and a Gentleman, Jaws 3-D (as SeaWorld manager Calvin Bouchard), Enemy Mine, the Iron Eagle series, Toy Soldiers and The Punisher. His role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman (opposite Richard Gere) showcased his talent and garnered him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1986, he starred in another role as a military man in the film Iron Eagle. It was followed by three sequels.
Gossett's Broadway theatre credits include A Raisin in the Sun (1959), Golden Boy (1964), and Chicago (2002).
He also has performed in other media, including television productions. In fact, it was his Emmy award-winning role of "Fiddler" in the 1977 groundbreaking television miniseries Roots that first brought Gossett to the audience's attention. In 1983, Gossett was cast in the title role in Sadat, a miniseries which chronicled the life and assassination of Anwar Sadat. While filming An Officer and a Gentleman, Gossett was also starring in the 1982–1983 science fiction series, The Powers of Matthew Star.
Gossett also co-wrote the antiwar folk song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens.
Gossett is the voice of the Vortigaunts in the video game Half-Life 2 (although he did not return for a later instalment in the series, "Half-Life 2: Episode Two") and is also the Free Jaffa Leader (Gerak) in Season 9 of Stargate SG-1.
He also played the role of US President Gerald Fitzhugh in the movie Left Behind: World at War.
As of June 2007, Gossett recorded several commercials for a (Nashville) based diabetic company, AmMed Direct, LLC.
Gossett provides the voice of Lucius Fox in The Batman.
In 1997 Louis presented When Animals Attack! 4 a one hour special on Fox.
[edit] Philanthropy
In 2007, Lou Gossett, Jr., was the honored guest and keynote speaker for the alumni hall of fame gala benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, St. Petersburg, Florida. Mr. Gossett has appeared every year supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He is an alumnus himself and has continued to work for and with the organization.
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Film
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | A Raisin in the Sun | George Murchison | |
| 1969 | The Bushbaby | Tembo | |
| 1970 | The Landlord | Copee | |
| Leo the Last | Roscoe | ||
| 1971 | Skin Game | Jason O'Rourke | |
| 1972 | Travels with My Aunt | Zachary/'Wordsworth' | |
| 1973 | The Laughing Policeman | Insp. James Larrimore SFPD | |
| The Fuzz Brothers | Francis Fuzz | ||
| 1976 | J. D.'s Revenge | Rev. Elija Bliss | |
| The River Niger | Dr. Dudley Stanton | ||
| 1977 | The Choirboys | Calvin Motts | |
| The Deep | Henri Cloche | ||
| 1980 | It Rained All Night the Day I Left | Leo Garcia | |
| 1982 | An Officer and a Gentleman | Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley | Academy Award; Golden Globe Award; NAACP Image Award |
| 1983 | Jaws 3-D | Calvin Bouchard | Razzie Award (nominated) |
| 1984 | Finders Keepers | Century | |
| 1985 | Enemy Mine | Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan | Saturn Award (nominated) |
| 1986 | Firewalker | Leo Porter | |
| Iron Eagle | Chappy Sinclair | ||
| 1987 | The Principal | Jake Phillips | |
| 1988 | Iron Eagle II | Chappy Sinclair | |
| 1989 | The Punisher | Jake Berkowitz | |
| 1991 | Toy Soldiers | Dean Parker | |
| Cover Up | Lou Jackson | ||
| 1992 | Diggstown | 'Honey' Roy Palmer | |
| Aces: Iron Eagle III | Chappy Sinclair | ||
| 1993 | Flashfire | Ben Durand | |
| Monolith | Capt. MacCandless | ||
| 1994 | Curse of the Starving Class | Ellis | |
| A Good Man in Africa | Prof. Sam Adekunle | ||
| Blue Chips | Father Dawkins | ||
| 1995 | Iron Eagle IV | Chappy Sinclair | |
| 1996 | Managua | Paul | |
| 1997 | Legend of the Mummy | Corbeck | |
| The Wall That Heals | Narrator | ||
| 1999 | Y2K | Morgan | |
| 2000 | The Highwayman | Phil Bishop | |
| 2002 | Deceived | Col. David Garrett | Direct-to-Video Release |
| 2005 | Left Behind: World at War | President Gerald Fitzhugh | |
| Window | Ralph Stanley | ||
| 2006 | Club Soda | Doc | |
| All In | Caps | ||
| 2007 | Cover | Det. Hicks | |
| Daddy's Little Girls | Willie | ||
| 2008 | Delgo | Zahn (voice) | awaiting release |
| The B.A.M.N. Squad | TBA | awaiting release | |
| The Perfect Game | Cool Papa Bell | awaiting release | |
| The Least Among You | Samuel Benton | post-production |
[edit] Television
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Batman | Lucius Fox | Voice Role |
| 2006 | Family Guy | Sergeant Angryman | Voice Role Episode: Saving Private Brian |
| 2005-2006 | Stargate SG-1 | Gerak | |
| 2005 | Lackawanna Blues | Ol'lem Taylor | HBO TV-Movie |
| Solar Attack | President Ryan Gordon | Direct-to-DVD Release | |
| 2004 | Half & Half | Ray Willis | Episode: The Big Lover, My Brother Episode Episode: The Big Thanks for Nothing Episode |
| 2003 | Momentum | Raymond Addison | SCI FI TV-Movie |
| Jasper, Texas | R.C. Horn | Image Award (nominated) Showtime TV-Movie |
|
| The Dead Zone | Pastor David Lewis | Episode: Zion | |
| 2002 | Resurrection Blvd. | Ezekiel 'Zeke' Grant | Episode: En Un Momento Episode: Esperando Lagrimas |
| What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway | Dr. Barnes | UPN TV-Movie | |
| Opening Ceremony Salt Lake Paralympic Winter Games | Narrator | ||
| 2001 | For Love of Olivia | Daniel Stewart | CBS TV-Movie |
| 2000 | The Color of Love: Jacey's Story | Lou Hastings | Satellite Award (nominated) CBS TV-Movie |
| The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence | Inspector Frank Hughes | Showtime TV-Movie | |
| Dr. Lucille | David Mulera | TV-Movie | |
| 1999 | Strange Justice | Vernon Jordan | Showtime TV-Movie |
| Love Songs | Reuben | Segment: A Love Song for Dad Showtime TV-Movie Black Reel Award (won-1) (nominated-1) |
|
| 1998 | The Inspectors | Inspector Frank Hughes | Showtime TV-Movie |
| 1997 | Ellen | Sgt. Timko | Episode: G.I. Ellen |
| Early Edition | Jim Matthews | Episode: The Medal | |
| In His Father's Shoes | Frank Crosby/Richard | CableACE Award (nominated) Daytime Emmy Award (won-1) (nominated-1) Showtime TV-Movie |
|
| To Dance with Olivia | Daniel Stewart | CBS TV-Movie | |
| Touched by an Angel | Anderson Walker | Episode: Amazing Grace (1) Episode: Amazing Grace (2) Emmy Award (nominated) Image Award (won) |
|
| 1996 | Inside | Questioner | TV-Movie |
| Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story | Bob Kersee | TV-Movie | |
| Captive Heart: The James Mink Story | James Mink | Image Award (nominated) TV-Movie |
|
| 1995 | Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder | Ray Alexander | |
| Zooman | Rueben Tate | ||
| A Father for Charlie | Walter Osgood | ||
| 1994 | Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice | Ray Alexander | NBC TV-Movie |
| Picket Fences | Rick Jennings | Episode: Terms of Estrangement | |
| 1993 | Return to Lonesome Dove | Isom Pickett | Miniseries |
| Father & Son: Dangerous Relations | NBC TV-Movie | ||
| Story of a People | Host | Miniseries | |
| 1991 | Keeper of the City | Det. James Dela | TV-Movie |
| Carolina Skeletons | James Bragg | NBC TV-Movie | |
| The Josephine Baker Story | Sidney Williams | Golden Globe Award (won) HBO TV-Movie |
|
| 1990 | Sudie and Simpson | Simpson | TV-Movie |
| Captain Planet and the Planeteers | Commander Clash | Voice Role | |
| El Diablo | Van Leek | HBO TV-Movie | |
| 1989 | Gideon Oliver | Gideon Oliver | |
| 1988 | Roots: The Gift | Fiddler | ABC TV-Movie |
| Goodbye, Miss 4th of July | Big John Creed | Disney Channel TV-Movie | |
| Sam Found Out: A Triple Play | ABC TV-Movie | ||
| 1987 | The Father Clements Story | Father Clements | NBC TV-Movie |
| A Gathering of Old Men | Mathu | Emmy Award (nominated) CBS TV-Movie |
|
| 1984 | The Guardian | John Mack | CableACE Award (nominated) HBO TV-Movie |
| 1982-1983 | The Powers of Matthew Star | Walter 'Walt' Shepherd/D'Hai | |
| 1983 | Sadat | Anwar al-Sadat | Emmy Award (nominated) Golden Globe Award (nominated) TV-Movie |
| 1982 | Saturday Night Live | Host | Episode: Louis Gossett Jr/George Thorogood & The Destroyers |
| Benny's Place | Benny Moore | ABC TV-Movie | |
| American Playhouse | Episode: Zora is My Name! | ||
| 1981 | Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige | Leroy 'Satchel' Paige | ABC TV-Movie |
| 1980 | Palmerstown, USA | Emmy Award (nominated) | |
| 1979 | The Lazarus Syndrome | Dr. MacArthur St. Clair | |
| Lawman Without a Gun | Tom Hayward | NBC TV-Movie | |
| Backstairs at the White House | Levi Mercer | Emmy Award (nominated) NBC Miniseries |
|
| 1978 | The Critical List | Lem Harper | NBC TV-Movie |
| To Kill a Cop | Everett Walker | Uncredited Role NBC TV-Movie |
|
| The Sentry Collection Presents Ben Vereen: His Roots | Emmy Award (nominated) | ||
| The Lazarus Syndrome | Dr. MacArthur St. Clair | ABC TV-Movie | |
| 1976-1977 | The Rockford Files | Marcus 'Gabby' Hayes | Episode: Foul on the First Play Episode: Just Another Polish Wedding |
| 1977 | Visions | Rex | Episode: Freeman |
| Roots | Fiddler | Emmy Award (won) TV Land Awards (won) ABC Miniseries |
|
| Little Ladies of the Night | Russ Garfield | ABC TV-Movie | |
| 1975-1976 | Police Story | Freddie Virgil Barnes |
Episode: The Cut Man Caper Episode: 50 Cents-First Half Hour, $1.75 All Day |
| 1976 | Little House on the Prairie | Henry Hill | Episode: The Long Road Home |
| 1974-1975 | Good Times | Donald Knight Uncle Wilbert |
Episode: Thelma's Young Man Episode: Michael's Big Fall |
| Petrocelli | D.A. Kurt Olson | Episode: A Very Lonely Lady Episode: A Fallen Idol |
|
| 1975 | The Six Million Dollar Man | O'Flaherty | Episode: Clark Templeton O’Flaherty |
| The Jeffersons | Wendell Brown | Episode: George's Best Friend | |
| Harry O | Cleon Jackson | Episode: Shades | |
| Caribe | David Wallace | Episode: The Assassin | |
| Delancey Street: The Crisis Within | Otis James | NBC TV-Movie | |
| Black Bart | Black Bart | CBS TV-Movie | |
| Lucas Tanner | Bobby Koball | Episode: Bonus Baby | |
| 1974 | McCloud | Dewey Justin | Episode: Shivaree on Delancy Street |
| The White Dawn | Portagee | ABC TV-Movie | |
| Sidekicks | Jason O'Rourke | TV remake of Gossett's 1971 Skin Game CBS TV-Movie |
|
| It's Good to Be Alive | Sam Brockington | CBS TV-Movie | |
| 1973 | Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law | Episode: An Often and Familiar Ghost | |
| 1968-1969, 1972 | The Mod Squad | Smitty Lloyd Charley Jameson |
Episode: When Smitty Comes Marching Home Episode: The Uptight Town Episode: Can You Hear Me Out There? |
| 1972 | Love, American Style | Segment: Love and the Christmas Punch... | |
| The Rookies | Toby Jones | Episode: Covenant with Death | |
| The Living End | Doug Newman | CBS TV-Pilot | |
| Insight | Episode: The Man from Inner Space | ||
| 1970-1971 | The Young Rebels | Isak Poole | |
| 1971 | Cade's County | Episode: The Alien Land | |
| Alias Smith and Jones | Joe Sims | Episode: The Bounty Hunter | |
| The Bold Ones: The New Doctors | Dr. Karnes | Episode: One Lonely Step | |
| Longstreet | Sergeant Cory | Episode: The Way of the Intercepting Fist | |
| Bonanza | Buck Walter | Episode: The Desperado | |
| The Partridge Family | Sam | Episode: Soul Club | |
| Big Fish, Little Fish | |||
| 1970 | The Bill Cosby Show | Hurricane Smith | Episode: The Return of Big Bad Bubba Bronson |
| 1967, 1968 | Cowboy in Africa | Fulah Hemera |
Episode: Fang and Claw Episode: The Quiet Death |
| 1968 | Companions in Nightmare | Lt. Adam McKay | NBC TV-Movie |
| Daktari | Mkono | Episode: Adam and Jenny | |
| The Invaders | Ollie | Episode: The Vise | |
| 1962 | The Nurses | William Taylor | Episode: The Prisoner |
| 1958 | The Big Story | Jamie Goodwin | Episode: The Stubbornest Man |
[edit] Theatre
2006 Dvorak's New World: Chamber Music Plus. Louis Gossett Jr., narrator, with Aubrey Allicock (Baritone), Sanda Schuldmann (piano), and Harry Clark (writer). [1] [2]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Gielgud for Arthur |
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture 1983 for An Officer and a Gentleman |
Succeeded by Jack Nicholson for Terms of Endearment |
|
|||||
|
||||||||
