Actor Louis Gossett Jr is no more. Gossett Jr, who is the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar for his role in An Officer and a Gentleman&nbsp;died at 87.

Gossett breathed his last in Santa Monica, California. The news of the actor's death was confirmed by his nephew to the Associated Press.&nbsp;

No cause of death was revealed.

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In the decades-long career, Gossett has been part of many critically acclaimed movies and had a shining career with numerous accolades to his name. Apart from his Academy win, he had won an Emmy for his commendable performance as a slave in the miniseries Roots.

Born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, his mother Hellen Rebecca was a nurse and his father&nbsp;Louis Gossett Sr. was a porter. The veteran had a knack for acting from a very young age and continuing his passion, he made his stage debut at the age of 17 when he took part in a high school’s production of You Can’t Take It with You.

In the late 50s, the actor continued to work in critically acclaimed plays like A Raisin in the Sun, The Blacks, and The Zulu and the Zayda. However, his breakthrough came in 1977 when he played the role of Fiddler in the miniseries Roots. For his performance in the series, he won his first Emmy award for Outstanding Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series.

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In 1982, the actor made history when he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. He became&nbsp;the first black actor to win in this category.&nbsp;He also won a Golden Globe award for his role as a Sergeant.&nbsp;

In his career, he was&nbsp;part of movies like&nbsp;Travels With My Aunt,&nbsp;The River Niger,&nbsp;The Choirboys,&nbsp;Enemy Mine,&nbsp;Daddy’s Little Girls,&nbsp;Foster Boy,&nbsp;King of the Dancehall,&nbsp;The Cuban&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Color Purple&nbsp;among others.&nbsp;

After his historic Oscar win, Gossett&nbsp;struggled with&nbsp;alcohol addiction. In 2010, he was diagnosed with&nbsp;prostate cancer,.

The actor&nbsp;is survived by sons Satie&nbsp;and Sharron.&nbsp;

Actor Louis Gossett Jr is no more. Gossett Jr, who is the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar for his role in An Officer and a Gentleman died at 87. Gossett breathed his last in Santa Monica, California.

Actor Louis Gossett Jr is no more. Gossett Jr, who is the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar for his role in An Officer and a Gentleman died at 87. Gossett breathed his last in Santa Monica, California. The news of the actor's death was confirmed by his nephew to the Associated Press. No cause of death was revealed. Martin Scorsese's next project is a docu-series on saints In the decades-long career, Gossett has been part of many critically acclaimed movies and had a shining career with numerous accolades to his name. Apart from his Academy win, he had won an Emmy for his commendable performance as a slave in the miniseries Roots. Born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, his mother Hellen Rebecca was a nurse and his father Louis Gossett Sr. was a porter. The veteran had a knack for acting from a very young age and continuing his passion, he made his stage debut at the age of 17 when he took part in a high school’s production of You Can’t Take It with You. In the late 50s, the actor continued to work in critically acclaimed plays like A Raisin in the Sun, The Blacks, and The Zulu and the Zayda. However, his breakthrough came in 1977 when he played the role of Fiddler in the miniseries Roots. For his performance in the series, he won his first Emmy award for Outstanding Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series. Bethenny Frankel becomes victim of alarming TikTok punching trend; says 'this is insane' In 1982, the actor made history when he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. He became the first black actor to win in this category. He also won a Golden Globe award for his role as a Sergeant. In his career, he was part of movies like Travels With My Aunt, The River Niger, The Choirboys, Enemy Mine, Daddy’s Little Girls, Foster Boy, King of the Dancehall, The Cuban and The Color Purple among others. After his historic Oscar win, Gossett struggled with alcohol addiction. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer,. The actor is survived by sons Satie and Sharron.

Louis Gossett Jr, first Black actor to win supporting actor Oscar, is dead

Famous fans and co-stars react to the death of Louis Gossett Jr., who died at 87. “He was open and generous. Kind beyond measure. Regal. We owe so much to him. What a monumental life he lived.” — Colman Domingo, Gossett’s co-star in The Color Purple, on X.

“The role of Master Sergeant Foley in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ was written as a white man. When I visited the Navy Officers Flight Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, I discovered that many of the drill Instructors there were men of colour. At that moment I changed the casting profile for Sergeant Foley. Lou Gossett came to see me. He told me he’d served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger, so in addition to being an accomplished actor, he knew military life — I hired him on the spot. Lou Gossett’s Sergeant Foley may have been the first Black character in American cinema to have absolute authority over white characters. The Academy recognized his consummate performance by voting him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He definitely deserved it.” — Taylor Hackford, who directed An Officer and a Gentleman, in a statement.

“One of the great American actors of our generation. A personal hero.” — Actor Wendell Pierce on X.

“Lou was set to play the role of my grandfather in the proposed feature film of my life. I will miss my friend.” — Singer Dionne Warwick in a statement.

“From ‘Roots’ to ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ to ‘The Color Purple’ and now beyond, Lou was always an amazing artist and giving human being to me.” — Actor Sheryl Lee Ralph on X.

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“I loved Lou. We did ‘The Choirboys’ in an ensemble, and then later starred together in ‘Diggstown.’ That experience cemented a lifelong friendship. I had always admired his fabulous talent but grew to admire his modest demeanour more. A true gentleman.” — Actor James Woods on X.

“Louis was a groundbreaker, a brilliant, kind man, and an incendiary presence on screen. Each of us was lucky to have him.” — Actor and director Lee Grant on X.

“Your incredible talent and unforgettable performances will forever inspire generations to come. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. You will be deeply missed.” — NAACP on X.

“In our eyes, you were a LEADING man despite your many inspiring roles as supporting characters. Thank you for your undeniable talent. Rest In Power!” — Trial lawyer Ben Crump on X.

“As a city, we are grateful for the privilege of having had Louis Gossett Jr. among us, and we join together in honouring his life and contributions.” — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens in a statement.

Famous fans and co-stars react to the death of Louis Gossett Jr., who died at 87. “He was open and generous. Kind beyond measure. Regal. We owe so much to him. What a monumental life he lived.

Famous fans and co-stars react to the death of Louis Gossett Jr., who died at 87. “He was open and generous. Kind beyond measure. Regal. We owe so much to him. What a monumental life he lived.” — Colman Domingo, Gossett’s co-star in The Color Purple, on X. “The role of Master Sergeant Foley in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ was written as a white man. When I visited the Navy Officers Flight Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, I discovered that many of the drill Instructors there were men of colour. At that moment I changed the casting profile for Sergeant Foley. Lou Gossett came to see me. He told me he’d served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger, so in addition to being an accomplished actor, he knew military life — I hired him on the spot. Lou Gossett’s Sergeant Foley may have been the first Black character in American cinema to have absolute authority over white characters. The Academy recognized his consummate performance by voting him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He definitely deserved it.” — Taylor Hackford, who directed An Officer and a Gentleman, in a statement. “One of the great American actors of our generation. A personal hero.” — Actor Wendell Pierce on X. “Lou was set to play the role of my grandfather in the proposed feature film of my life. I will miss my friend.” — Singer Dionne Warwick in a statement. “From ‘Roots’ to ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ to ‘The Color Purple’ and now beyond, Lou was always an amazing artist and giving human being to me.” — Actor Sheryl Lee Ralph on X. Also read: New trial denied for Rust armorer convicted in fatal shooting of cinematographer by Alec Baldwin “I loved Lou. We did ‘The Choirboys’ in an ensemble, and then later starred together in ‘Diggstown.’ That experience cemented a lifelong friendship. I had always admired his fabulous talent but grew to admire his modest demeanour more. A true gentleman.” — Actor James Woods on X. “Louis was a groundbreaker, a brilliant, kind man, and an incendiary presence on screen. Each of us was lucky to have him.” — Actor and director Lee Grant on X. “Your incredible talent and unforgettable performances will forever inspire generations to come. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. You will be deeply missed.” — NAACP on X. “In our eyes, you were a LEADING man despite your many inspiring roles as supporting characters. Thank you for your undeniable talent. Rest In Power!” — Trial lawyer Ben Crump on X. “As a city, we are grateful for the privilege of having had Louis Gossett Jr. among us, and we join together in honouring his life and contributions.” — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens in a statement.

Colman Domingo, Taylor Hackford join in tribute to Louis Gossett Jr. after his death at 87

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Louis Gossett Jr, first Black actor to win supporting actor Oscar, is dead

Colman Domingo, Taylor Hackford join in tribute to Louis Gossett Jr. after his death at 87