Louis Gossett Jr. Fast Facts:Made his professional acting debut while still in high school in the Broadway production of
Take a Giant Step and won the Donaldson Award for best newcomer of the year.
- Received an athletic-drama scholarship to New York University, where he played on the varsity basketball team.
- Was invited to try out for the NBA's New York Knicks after graduating from NYU, but chose to pursue an acting career instead.
- Prepared for his Oscar-winning role in An Officer and a Gentleman by spending 10 days training at Camp Pendleton's school for drill instructors.
- Cowrote the protest song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens, who performed it at Woodstock in 1969.
- In 2006, founded the Eracism Foundation, a nonprofit working to eliminate racism.
- Wrote an autobiography, An Actor and a Gentleman, which was published in 2010.
- Louis Gossett Jr. Relationships:
- Hattie Glascoe - Ex-wife
- Satie Gossett - Son
- Sharron Anthony Gossett - Son
- Louis Gossett - Father
- Helen (Wray) Gossett - Mother
- Cyndi James-Reese - Ex-wife
- Christina Mangosing - Ex-wife
- Louis Gossett Jr. Awards:
- 1982 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Winner
- 1979 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Special - Nominee
- 1992 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Winner
- 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Variety or Music - Nominee
- 1983 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Winner
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1984 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series - Winner
- 1981 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1984 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Special - Nominee
- 1987 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special - Nominee
- College:
- New York University, New York, NY (BA, 1959)