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Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr.

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.

Born

May 27, 1936

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Died

Mar 29, 2024

Known For

Acting

Movies

145 acting

8 crew

Popularity

2.3

alternate_email movie

Known For

IF

IF

2024

as Lewis (voice)
An Officer and a Gentleman

An Officer and a Gentleman

1982

as Sergeant Emil Foley
The Punisher

The Punisher

1989

as Jake Berkowitz
Jaws 3-D

Jaws 3-D

1983

as Calvin Bouchard
The Color Purple

The Color Purple

2023

as Ol' Mister
Enemy Mine

Enemy Mine

1985

as Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan
Iron Eagle

Iron Eagle

1986

as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
The Principal

The Principal

1987

as Jake Phillips
Firewalker

Firewalker

1986

as Leo Porter
The Deep

The Deep

1977

as Henri Cloche
IF
IF
2024 • as Lewis (voice)
★ 6.9
An Officer and a Gentleman
An Officer and a Gentleman
1982 • as Sergeant Emil Foley
★ 7.0
The Punisher
The Punisher
1989 • as Jake Berkowitz
★ 5.8
Jaws 3-D
Jaws 3-D
1983 • as Calvin Bouchard
★ 4.5
The Color Purple
The Color Purple
2023 • as Ol' Mister
★ 7.0
Enemy Mine
Enemy Mine
1985 • as Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan
★ 7.0
Iron Eagle
Iron Eagle
1986 • as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
★ 5.6
The Principal
The Principal
1987 • as Jake Phillips
★ 6.5
Sidney
Sidney
2022 • as Self
★ 7.0
Firewalker
Firewalker
1986 • as Leo Porter
★ 5.4
The Deep
The Deep
1977 • as Henri Cloche
★ 6.1
Why Did I Get Married Too?
Why Did I Get Married Too?
2010 • as Porter
★ 6.5
Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers
1991 • as Dean Parker
★ 6.5
The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game
2009 • as Cool Papa Bell
★ 7.3
Daddy's Little Girls
Daddy's Little Girls
2007 • as Willie
★ 6.9
Undercover Grandpa
Undercover Grandpa
2017 • as Mother
★ 5.7
Iron Eagle II
Iron Eagle II
1988 • as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
★ 4.5
Unplugged
Unplugged
• as Amos Burton (voice)
Iron Eagle on the Attack
Iron Eagle on the Attack
1995 • as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
★ 3.9
A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
1961 • as George Murchison
★ 7.7
Blue Chips
Blue Chips
1994 • as Father Dawkins (uncredited)
★ 6.1
A Fighting Man
A Fighting Man
2014 • as Cubby
★ 5.5
Iron Eagle III
Iron Eagle III
1992 • as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
★ 4.1
The Laughing Policeman
The Laughing Policeman
1973 • as Insp. James Larrimore SFPD
★ 6.2
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
1995 • as Self
★ 8.0
Cover-Up
Cover-Up
1991 • as Lou Jackson
★ 4.0
Amazing Racer
Amazing Racer
2009 • as Max Donovan
★ 5.9
The Choirboys
The Choirboys
1977 • as Calvin Motts
★ 5.4
El Diablo
El Diablo
1990 • as Van Leek
★ 5.6
Y2K
Y2K
1999 • as Morgan
★ 4.9
Diggstown
Diggstown
1992 • as "Honey" Roy Palmer
★ 6.3
Foster Boy
Foster Boy
2019 • as Judge George Taylor
★ 6.7
Supervized
Supervized
2019 • as Pendle
★ 5.2
Sin
Sin
2025 • as Elijah
Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
1984 • as Century
★ 5.5
Three Months
Three Months
2022 • as Benny
★ 7.1
Left Behind: World at War
Left Behind: World at War
2005 • as President Geral Fitzhugh
★ 4.2
I Forgive
I Forgive
2021 • as God (voice)
★ 4.7
Dog Jack
Dog Jack
2011 • as Grown up Jed
★ 4.0
Skin Game
Skin Game
1971 • as Jason O'Rourke
★ 6.6
Zooman
Zooman
1995 • as Rueben Tate
★ 6.2
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987 • as Self
★ 6.0
Stories USA
Stories USA
2007 • as Doc (segment "Club Soda")
★ 3.9
Travels with My Aunt
Travels with My Aunt
1972 • as Wordsworth
★ 6.0
Delgo
Delgo
2008 • as King Zahn (voice)
★ 4.6
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009 • as Self
★ 8.0
Curse of the Starving Class
Curse of the Starving Class
1994 • as Ellis
★ 4.6
Outlaw Johnny Black
Outlaw Johnny Black
2023 • as Reverend Tharrington (voice) (uncredited)
★ 5.4
The 50 Greatest Television Dramas
The 50 Greatest Television Dramas
2007 • as Self
The Landlord
The Landlord
1970 • as Copee Johnson
★ 6.0
Roots: The Gift
Roots: The Gift
1988 • as Fiddler
★ 7.3
J.D.'s Revenge
J.D.'s Revenge
1976 • as Rev. Elija Bliss
★ 5.9
The Cuban
The Cuban
2020 • as Luis Garcia
★ 5.3
The Undershepherd
The Undershepherd
2012 • as Bishop Redford
★ 6.0
Monolith
Monolith
1993 • as Capt. MacCandless
★ 4.6
Solar Attack
Solar Attack
2006 • as President Ryan Gordon
★ 5.2
A Good Man in Africa
A Good Man in Africa
1994 • as Prof. Sam Adekunle
★ 4.9
The Guardian
The Guardian
1984 • as John Mack
★ 5.5
Sidekicks
Sidekicks
1974 • as Jason O'Rourke
★ 6.5
Club Soda
Club Soda
2006 • as Doc
The Grace Card
The Grace Card
2011 • as George Wright
★ 7.2
Cover
Cover
2007 • as Detective Hicks
★ 5.1
King of the Dancehall
King of the Dancehall
2017 • as The Bishop
★ 7.6
To Kill a Cop
To Kill a Cop
1978 • as Everett Walker
The Dependables
The Dependables
2014 • as Lou Jones
★ 3.1
The Reason
The Reason
2020 • as Pastor Jim
★ 7.8
Strange Justice
Strange Justice
1999 • as Vernon Jordan
★ 7.0
I Love Liberty
I Love Liberty
1982 • as Self
Breaking at the Edge
Breaking at the Edge
2013 • as Floyd
★ 4.7
The White Dawn
The White Dawn
1974 • as Portagee
★ 6.7
The Josephine Baker Story
The Josephine Baker Story
1991 • as Sidney Williams
★ 6.0
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
1993 • as Leonard Clay
★ 6.2
Legend of the Mummy
Legend of the Mummy
1998 • as Corbeck
★ 4.3
Smitty
Smitty
2012 • as Mr. Smith
★ 5.9
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
1981 • as Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
★ 6.6
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
1996 • as James Mink
★ 5.1
Zora is My Name!
Zora is My Name!
1990
★ 10.0
The Inspectors
The Inspectors
1998 • as Inspector Frank Hughes
★ 5.9
All In
All In
2006 • as Caps
★ 4.5
Momentum
Momentum
2003 • as Raymond Addison
★ 5.1
Flashfire
Flashfire
1994 • as Ben Durand
★ 4.5
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
2016 • as Self
★ 8.0
Not to Forget
Not to Forget
2021 • as Pastor John
★ 6.8
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die
1983 • as narrator
★ 5.0
Hal
Hal
2019 • as Self
★ 6.6
The River Niger
The River Niger
1976 • as Dr. Dudley Stanton
★ 6.7
Managua
Managua
1996 • as Paul
★ 5.0
Love Songs
Love Songs
1999 • as Reuben
★ 8.7
A Gathering of Old Men
A Gathering of Old Men
1987 • as Mathu
★ 6.2
Lackawanna Blues
Lackawanna Blues
2005 • as Ol'lem Taylor
★ 5.9
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
1995 • as Ray Alexander
★ 7.0
In His Father's Shoes
In His Father's Shoes
1997 • as Frank Crosby / Richard
★ 6.0
movie
The New Girl
1960 • as Mary's Brother
Boiling Pot
Boiling Pot
2015 • as Detective Haven
★ 5.2
Gridiron Gang
Gridiron Gang
1992 • as Host
Keeper of the City
Keeper of the City
1991 • as Det. James Dela
★ 5.3
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
2017 • as Self
★ 6.2
Double Play
Double Play
2017 • as Coco
★ 3.5
Deceived
Deceived
2002 • as Col. David Garrett
★ 5.0
Carolina Skeletons
Carolina Skeletons
1991 • as James Bragg
★ 7.2
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence
2000 • as Frank
★ 6.0
Miracle at Gate 213
Miracle at Gate 213
2013 • as Roy Peddington
★ 6.0
Jasper, Texas
Jasper, Texas
2003 • as R.C. Horn
★ 6.0
Black Bart
Black Bart
1975 • as Black Bart
★ 3.8
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
1994 • as Ray Alexander
★ 10.0
movie
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story
1996 • as Bob Kersee
★ 8.0
Companions in Nightmare
Companions in Nightmare
1968 • as Lt. Adam McKay
★ 5.3
Inside
Inside
1996 • as Questioner
★ 4.8
The Lazarus Syndrome
The Lazarus Syndrome
1979 • as Dr. MacArthur St. Clair
★ 4.9
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within
1975 • as Otis James
★ 10.0
Lawman Without a Gun
Lawman Without a Gun
1979 • as Tom Hayward
★ 9.0
Freeman
Freeman
1977 • as Rex
★ 6.0
A Father for Charlie
A Father for Charlie
1995 • as Walter Osgood
★ 6.8
Little Ladies of the Night
Little Ladies of the Night
1977 • as Russ Garfield
★ 4.2
To Dance with Olivia
To Dance with Olivia
1997 • as Daniel Stewart
★ 8.0
Miracle in East Texas
Miracle in East Texas
2020 • as Irving Tanner Jr.
★ 4.0
The Highwayman
The Highwayman
2000 • as Phil Bishop
★ 4.3
The Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals
1998 • as Self - Host
★ 8.0
Dr. Lucille
Dr. Lucille
2001
★ 7.0
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play
1988 • as Sam
★ 10.0
Sudie and Simpson
Sudie and Simpson
1990 • as Simpson
★ 6.9
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story
2000 • as Lou Hastings
★ 7.0
The Bushbaby
The Bushbaby
1969 • as Tembo
★ 6.5
Breaking Brooklyn
Breaking Brooklyn
2018 • as Miles Bryant
★ 7.8
movie
Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth
2008 • as Self
The Father Clements Story
The Father Clements Story
1987
★ 9.0
movie
Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II
1992 • as Reader (voice)
★ 7.5
movie
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
1995 • as Narrator
★ 8.0
movie
The Least Among You
2009 • as Samuel Benton
★ 4.0
Benny's Place
Benny's Place
1982 • as Benny Moore
★ 10.0
The Black List: Volume One
The Black List: Volume One
2008 • as Self
★ 6.5
It's Good to Be Alive
It's Good to Be Alive
1974 • as Sam Brockington
★ 7.3
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away
2002 • as Dr. Barnes
★ 7.5
It Rained All Night the Day I Left
It Rained All Night the Day I Left
1980 • as Leo Garcia
★ 5.2
movie
Straight Up
1988 • as Cosmo
movie
The Gang Activists
2019 • as Self
movie
The Sentry Collection Presents Ben Vereen: His Roots
1978 • as Self
★ 10.0
For Love of Olivia
For Love of Olivia
2001 • as Daniel Stewart
★ 5.0
movie
Crimes of Violence
• as Self - Host
★ 8.0
A Special Kind of Love
A Special Kind of Love
2008 • as Self
movie
Forget to Remember
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
1998 • as Self
★ 9.0
A.C. Green: Iron Virgin
A.C. Green: Iron Virgin
2016 • as Himself
★ 7.0
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
1988 • as Big John Creed
★ 9.0
A Love Story of Today
A Love Story of Today
2008 • as Self