Louis Gossett, Jr. Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Career Q&A with Louis Gossett, Jr. Moderated by Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood.
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Award winning actor, Louis Gossett Jr. is recognized as one of the most respected and beloved actors on stage, screen and television. Off screen, he has spent his life as a social activist, educator, film producer and author trying to educate and enrich the lives of those around him.
Among Gossett’s many accolades are an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series for his portrayal of Fiddler in the historically groundbreaking ABC series “Roots” and a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for “The Josephine Baker Story.”
In 1983, Gossett was the first African-American male to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as drill Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Gossett’s recent work includes “Book of Negroes," BET's six-part miniseries that follows a West African woman's long search for freedom after she is sold into slavery around the time of the American Revolution. The historical drama was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Limited Series.
Gossett is currently guest starring as Halle Berry’s father on the hit CBS television series “Extant,” which returns for a second season Summer 2015.
Previous films include, ”A Raisin in the Sun,” “The Deep,” “Skin Game” “Daddy’s Little Girl’s,” “The Grace Card,” “Enemy Mine,” “Iron Eagle 1-4” and “Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige” among many others.
At age 17 Gossett won the prestigious Donaldson Award as the year’s best newcomer for the Broadway production of, “Take A Giant Step.”
Gossett is recognized as much for his humanitarian efforts as he is for his accomplishments as an actor. In 2006, Gossett founded The Eracism Foundation which is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to abolishing racism, violence, and ignorance. The foundation will eventually be organized around "Shamba Centers" in the heart of inner cities, places where children of all races can go after school to play sports, hang out, and learn about one another’s history and culture. The vision is to eradicate the systematic impacts of all forms of racism.
Louis Gossett, Jr. attended New York University on a drama and athletic scholarship,.He currently resides in Malibu, California.

[@swampghost72]

One of the greats .grossly underated...There will never be another Lou Gossett Jr. I grew up watching him. RIP MR. GOSSETT..

[@miss.phyllisreneefoster9547]

one of the great ones one of the best actors of all times

[@joannekeryger7909]

What a wonderful man, Peace, Love, and Blessings Mr. Louis Gossett, Jr.

[@genepoolbooboo]

He has a good soul, and that is no small thing. A very positive and thoughtful interview.

[@benmurchison1777]

Great interview and an amazing man.

[@ceceliadeyo-fox4505]

He was astounding...God rest his soul...loved his acting!!!!

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

When Fiddler asked: "Toby, What It Like To Be Free?" I absolutely KNEW why Mr. Gossett won the Emmy.

[@CNormanHocker]

The USMC are honorable people. They treated one of my favorite actors with love and respect. That's my America!

[@jc6594]

Happy 80th Birthday Louis Gossett, Jr.

[@ryan8211982]

Roles like Sgt. Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman that earned Louis Gossett Jr an Oscar, The Drac Warrior in Enemy Mine and Retired Air Force Fighter pilot, Col. Charles "Chappy" Sinclair in Iron Eagle and its three sequels.

[@vanzukhonsu3465]

poignant, indeed, thank you Mr. Louis Gossett...

[@normabrien8331]

One of the best.

[@joewooley3581]

WOW

[@rmjmoviereviews6876]

Does he mention "The Principal"?

[@ruviknu6613]

vortigaunt

[@thewooleygroup6342]

WOW