LOUIS GOSSETT JR.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Gender: Male
Known for: Acting
Birthday: May 27, 1936
Deathday: March 29, 2024
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Louis Gossett Jr. (May 27, 1936 – March 29, 2024) was an American film and television actor, best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" and as Fiddler in the television miniseries "Roots". He won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards in an acting career that spanned over five decades.
Filmography
Starring
2024·
IFLewis (voice)
2019·
WatchmenOld Man / Will Reeves
2017·
The Good FightCarl Reddick
Duke Webster
2015·
The Book of NegroesDaddy Moses
2014·
Madam SecretaryLaurent Vasseur
2014·
ExtantQuinn
2010·
Hawaii Five-0Lou's father
Self
2006·
PsychLloyd Marr
2005·
Black in the 80s1998·
HerculesChiron (voice)
1996·
Promised LandAnderson Walker
1994·
Touched by an AngelAnderson Walker
1994·
EllenSgt. Timko
1992·
Picket FencesRick Jennings
1988·
American ExperienceNarrator (voice)
1983·
SadatAnwar al-Sadat
Walter "Walt" Shepherd (D'Hai)
1980·
Palmerstown, U.S.A.1979·
The Lazarus SyndromeMacArthur St. Clair, Dr. MacArthur St. Clair
1978·
To Kill a CopEverett Walker, Everett Walker
1978·
The Critical ListLem Harper
1977·
Please Turn the PageSelf
1977·
RootsFiddler
1975·
Saturday Night LiveSelf - Host
1974·
Harry OCleon Jackson
1974·
PetrocelliDistrict Attorney Kurt Olson, Kurt Olson, DA
1974·
The Rockford FilesMarcus Aurelius 'Gabby' Hayes, Marcus Aurelius Hayes / O'Brien
O'Flaherty
Lt. Carl Fellows
1970·
The Partridge FamilySam Simon
1970·
The Young RebelsDr. Karnes
1969·
Love, American StyleFreddy
1968·
The Mod SquadCharley Jameson, Lloyd, Smitty
1967·
The InvadersOllie
1967·
Cowboy in AfricaJoseph Hemera, Fulah
1966·
DaktariMkono
Self
1959·
BonanzaBuck Walter
1953·
The OscarsSelf
1948·
The Ed Sullivan ShowSelf
1944·
Golden Globe AwardsSelf - Nominee / Presenter, Self - Host, Self - Presenter, Self - Audience Member, Self - Nominee
TBA·
UnpluggedAmos Burton (voice)
2025·
SinElijah
2021·
Not to ForgetPastor John
Self - Host
2023·
Outlaw Johnny BlackReverend Tharrington (voice) (uncredited)
2023·
The Color PurpleOl' Mister
2022·
SidneySelf
2022·
Three MonthsBenny
2021·
I ForgiveGod (voice)
2020·
The ReasonPastor Jim
2020·
The CubanLuis Garcia
Irving Tanner Jr.
2019·
Foster BoyJudge George Taylor
2019·
The Gang ActivistsSelf
2019·
SupervizedPendle
2019·
HalSelf
2018·
Breaking BrooklynMiles Bryant
The Bishop
2017·
Undercover GrandpaMother
2017·
Double PlayCoco
Himself
Self
2015·
Boiling PotDetective Haven
2014·
A Fighting ManCubby
2014·
The DependablesLou Jones
2013·
Breaking at the EdgeFloyd
2013·
Miracle at Gate 213Roy Peddington
2012·
The UndershepherdBishop Redford
2012·
SmittyMr. Smith
2011·
The Grace CardGeorge Wright
2011·
Dog JackGrown up Jed
Porter
2009·
Amazing RacerMax Donovan
2009·
The Perfect GameCool Papa Bell
2009·
The Least Among YouSamuel Benton
Self
Self
Self
2008·
DelgoKing Zahn (voice)
2007·
Stories USADoc (segment "Club Soda")
2007·
CoverDetective Hicks
2007·
Daddy's Little GirlsWillie
Self
2006·
All InCaps
2006·
Club SodaDoc
2006·
Solar AttackPresident Ryan Gordon
2005·
Lackawanna BluesOl'lem Taylor
President Geral Fitzhugh
2004·
The BatmanLucius Fox (voice)
2003·
Jasper, TexasR.C. Horn
2003·
MomentumRaymond Addison
2002·
The Dead ZonePastor David Lewis
2002·
Half & HalfRay Willis
Dr. Barnes
2002·
DeceivedCol. David Garrett
2001·
Dr. Lucille2001·
For Love of OliviaDaniel Stewart
2000·
The HighwaymanPhil Bishop
Lou Hastings
Frank
1999·
Family GuyDrill Sargent (voice)
1999·
Love SongsReuben
1999·
Strange JusticeVernon Jordan
1999·
Y2KMorgan
1998·
The Wall That HealsSelf - Host
1998·
The InspectorsInspector Frank Hughes
1998·
Legend of the MummyCorbeck
1997·
Stargate SG-1Gerak
1997·
To Dance with OliviaDaniel Stewart
Frank Crosby / Richard
1996·
Early EditionJim Matthews
James Mink
1996·
InsideQuestioner
Bob Kersee
1996·
ManaguaPaul
1995·
ZoomanRueben Tate
Ray Alexander
1995·
A Father for CharlieWalter Osgood
Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
1994·
ERLeo Malcolm
Ray Alexander
1994·
A Good Man in AfricaProf. Sam Adekunle
1994·
Blue ChipsFather Dawkins (uncredited)
Ellis
1994·
FlashfireBen Durand
Isom Pickett
Leonard Clay
1993·
MonolithCapt. MacCandless
Reader (voice)
1992·
Gridiron GangHost
1992·
Diggstown"Honey" Roy Palmer
1992·
Iron Eagle IIICharles 'Chappy' Sinclair
1991·
Keeper of the CityDet. James Dela
1991·
Carolina SkeletonsJames Bragg
Sidney Williams
1991·
Cover-UpLou Jackson
1991·
Toy SoldiersDean Parker
Commander Clash (voice)
1990·
Zora is My Name!1990·
Sudie and SimpsonSimpson
1990·
El DiabloVan Leek
1989·
Gideon Oliver1989·
The PunisherJake Berkowitz
1988·
Straight UpCosmo
Big John Creed
Sam
1988·
Roots: The GiftFiddler
1988·
Iron Eagle IICharles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Self
Mathu
1987·
The PrincipalJake Phillips
1986·
FirewalkerLeo Porter
1986·
Iron EagleCharles 'Chappy' Sinclair
1985·
Enemy MineJeriba 'Jerry' Shigan
1984·
The GuardianJohn Mack
1984·
Finders KeepersCentury
narrator
1983·
Jaws 3-DCalvin Bouchard
1982·
Benny's PlaceBenny Moore
1982·
I Love LibertySelf
Sergeant Emil Foley
Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
Leo Garcia
Levi Mercer, Houseman
1979·
Lawman Without a GunTom Hayward
Russ Garfield
1977·
The ChoirboysCalvin Motts
1977·
The DeepHenri Cloche
1977·
FreemanRex
1976·
The River NigerDr. Dudley Stanton
1976·
J.D.'s RevengeRev. Elija Bliss
1975·
The JeffersonsOtis James
1975·
Black BartBlack Bart
Henry Hill
1974·
Good Times1974·
SidekicksJason O'Rourke
Sam Brockington
1974·
The White DawnPortagee
1973·
Police StoryInsp. James Larrimore SFPD
1972·
The Rookies1972·
Travels with My AuntWordsworth
1971·
Skin GameJason O'Rourke
1970·
McCloud1970·
The LandlordCopee Johnson
1969·
The Bill Cosby ShowHurricane Smith
1969·
The BushbabyTembo
Lt. Adam McKay
Self
1961·
A Raisin in the SunGeorge Murchison
1960·
The New GirlMary's Brother
Production
2024·
IFIn Memory Of
Executive Producer
2001·
For Love of OliviaExecutive Producer
Executive Producer
1999·
Love SongsDirector
1997·
To Dance with OliviaExecutive Producer
Executive Producer
1996·
InsideExecutive Producer
1995·
A Father for CharlieExecutive Producer
Director