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Louis Gossett Jr. Biography

Birth Name:Louis Cameron Gossett

Birth Place:Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Director

Fast Facts

In 2006, he started the Eracism Foundation which aims to eradicate the world of racism
Received an honorary degree from Wheelock College
Following a sports injury, he decided to take acting classes, and, at the age of 16, he beat out 400 candidates for the lead role in Broadway's "Take a Giant Step․"
Quote: "I prefer a challenge, because when you've done that, you've done something․"
Quote: "If a role isn't different, it's not worth doing․"
Best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in "An Officer and a Gentleman․"
Originally cast as the lead in "Brian's Song," but had to drop out after tearing his Achilles' tendon during filming
Attended Woodstock where he witnessed Richie Havens perform "Handsome Johnny," a song Gossett wrote
His favorite role was playing the title character in the 1983 made for TV movie "Sadat," as he enjoyed the challenge of playing someone from history
Was in contention for the role of Lieutenant Traxler in "The Terminator․"

Awards

1971Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series: winner
1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1981Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1982Image Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1983Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1983Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture: winner
1984Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1984Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
1985ACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1986Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1992CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1997CableACE-Children's Special - 7 and Older: nominated
1997CableACE-Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Special: winner
1998Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2000Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actor: nominated
2000Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Director: winner
2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special: nominated
2007Anniversary Award-: winner
2012Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2013Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2019IGN Award-Best TV Ensemble: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
2022Film Festival Award-Best Drama: winner
2022Platinum Award-Best Performance: winner
2022Jury Prize-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated