Louis Gossett

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
Birthday: May 27, 1936

A charismatic black actor with a flair for projecting quiet authority, Louis Gossett Jr has scored well personally in a string of diverse and challenging stage, film and TV roles. Sidelined by a sports injury in high school, Gossett decided to try acting at the suggestion of one of his teachers. Success in a school production led to a Broadway audition for "Take a Giant Step" (1953), where, the 16-year-old Gossett beat out 400 other aspiring actors and landed the lead. His acting career soon flourished with parts on TV and a return to Broadway …more

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Credits

Actor

Moving Image Salutes Richard Gere
The Inspectors
Frank Hughes
The Lazarus Syndrome
Dr MacArthur St Clair
Run For the Dream: The Gail Devers Story
Bob Kersee
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
Leonard Clay

Consultants & Advisors

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Executive Consultant

Director

Love Songs
Director ("A Love Song For Champ")

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Career Milestones

2007
Starred in Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls"
2005
Cast in the HBO original movie "Lackawanna Blues" based on Ruben Santiago-Hudson autobiographical one man show
2005
Had a recurring role in "Stargate SG-1"
2002
Returned to Broadway playing Billy Flynn in the long-running revival of "Chicago"; left production after about a week reportedly due to ill health
2001
Starred in and was executive producer of the sequel "For Love of Olivia"

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Awards

1997
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Children's Special
1997
NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1991
Golden Globe Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made-for-Television
1982
Golden Globe Award: Best Supporting Actor
1982
Oscar: Best Supporting Actor