Louis Gossett Jr.
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․"
- 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
- Originally cast as the lead in "Brian's Song," but had to drop out after tearing his Achilles' tendon during filming
- 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 AwardWinner
- 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