Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr.

1936-05-27 • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA • Male • 206 Known Credits

Biography

Louis Gossett Jr. (born 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 has won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards in an acting career that spans over five decades.

Personal Info

Gender

Male

Birthday

1936-05-27

Place of Birth

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Known Credits

206

Known For

Acting

Also Known As

Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr., Louis Gossett, Jr., Louis Cameron Gossett Jr., Lou Gossett, ルイス・ゴセット・ジュニア, لوئیس گوست، جونیور

Photos

Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo
Louis Gossett Jr. Photo

Tagged Images

Left Behind: World at War

Left Behind: World at War

Movie (2005)

Known For Movies

IF

IF

2024
Jaws 3-D

Jaws 3-D

1983
An Officer and a Gentleman

An Officer and a Gentleman

1982
The Color Purple

The Color Purple

2023
The Principal

The Principal

1987
Enemy Mine

Enemy Mine

1985
The Punisher

The Punisher

1989
And the Oscar Goes To...

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014
The Choirboys

The Choirboys

1977
Daddy's Little Girls

Daddy's Little Girls

2007
Sidney

Sidney

2022
The Least Among You

The Least Among You

2009
Iron Eagle

Iron Eagle

1986
The Perfect Game

The Perfect Game

2009
The Deep

The Deep

1977
Toy Soldiers

Toy Soldiers

1991
Delgo

Delgo

2008
Legend of the Mummy

Legend of the Mummy

1998
Why Did I Get Married Too?

Why Did I Get Married Too?

2010
Firewalker

Firewalker

1986
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations

Father & Son: Dangerous Relations

1993
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

2009
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

2000
Iron Eagle II

Iron Eagle II

1988
Miracle at Gate 213

Miracle at Gate 213

2013
Three Months

Three Months

2022
Blue Chips

Blue Chips

1994
Iron Eagle III

Iron Eagle III

1992
I Love Liberty

I Love Liberty

1982
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

1995
To Kill a Cop

To Kill a Cop

1978
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

2016
The Josephine Baker Story

The Josephine Baker Story

1991
The Grace Card

The Grace Card

2011
Outlaw Johnny Black

Outlaw Johnny Black

2023
Foster Boy

Foster Boy

2019
Hal

Hal

2019
Companions in Nightmare

Companions in Nightmare

1968
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

1975
Travels with My Aunt

Travels with My Aunt

1972
King of the Dancehall

King of the Dancehall

2017
Breaking Brooklyn

Breaking Brooklyn

2018
A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun

1961
Diggstown

Diggstown

1992
All In

All In

2006
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

2004
Undercover Grandpa

Undercover Grandpa

2017
The Guardian

The Guardian

1984
A Father for Charlie

A Father for Charlie

1995
Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

1984
Jasper, Texas

Jasper, Texas

2003
A Fighting Man

A Fighting Man

2014
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

1987
El Diablo

El Diablo

1990
Monolith

Monolith

1993
Benny's Place

Benny's Place

1982
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away

What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away

2002
A Gathering of Old Men

A Gathering of Old Men

1987
For Love of Olivia

For Love of Olivia

2001
Roots: The Gift

Roots: The Gift

1988
Y2K

Y2K

1999
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

1996
Momentum

Momentum

2003
Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

1992
Left Behind: World at War

Left Behind: World at War

2005
Club Soda

Club Soda

2006
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

1995
J.D.'s Revenge

J.D.'s Revenge

1976
Amazing Racer

Amazing Racer

2009
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story

Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story

1996
Strange Justice

Strange Justice

1999
The Lazarus Syndrome

The Lazarus Syndrome

1978
Smitty

Smitty

2012
The Dependables

The Dependables

2014
Skin Game

Skin Game

1971
Zooman

Zooman

1995
Solar Attack

Solar Attack

2006
Miracle in East Texas

Miracle in East Texas

2020
In His Father's Shoes

In His Father's Shoes

1997
Supervized

Supervized

2019
Iron Eagle on the Attack

Iron Eagle on the Attack

1995
The Landlord

The Landlord

1970
Stories USA

Stories USA

2007
The Black List: Volume One

The Black List: Volume One

2008
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence

2000
It's Good to Be Alive

It's Good to Be Alive

1974
Curse of the Starving Class

Curse of the Starving Class

1994
Double Play

Double Play

2017
Lackawanna Blues

Lackawanna Blues

2005
Freeman

Freeman

1977
To Dance with Olivia

To Dance with Olivia

1997
Cover

Cover

2007
Little Ladies of the Night

Little Ladies of the Night

1977
Black Bart

Black Bart

1975
Keeper of the City

Keeper of the City

1991
Sudie and Simpson

Sudie and Simpson

1990
The Inspectors

The Inspectors

1998
A Good Man in Africa

A Good Man in Africa

1994
The Cuban

The Cuban

2020
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart

2017
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing

Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing

1995
Carolina Skeletons

Carolina Skeletons

1991
The New Girl

The New Girl

1960
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

1994
Deceived

Deceived

2002
Love Songs

Love Songs

1999
The River Niger

The River Niger

1976
The White Dawn

The White Dawn

1974
Dr. Lucille

Dr. Lucille

2001
It Rained All Night the Day I Left

It Rained All Night the Day I Left

1980
Cover-Up

Cover-Up

1991
Sidekicks

Sidekicks

1974
The Laughing Policeman

The Laughing Policeman

1973
The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

2007
Lawman Without a Gun

Lawman Without a Gun

1979
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July

Goodbye, Miss 4th of July

1988
Forget to Remember

Forget to Remember
The Reason

The Reason

2020
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

1981
Zora is My Name!

Zora is My Name!

1990
A Love Story of Today

A Love Story of Today

2008
The Undershepherd

The Undershepherd

2012
Managua

Managua

1996
The Highwayman

The Highwayman

2000
Not to Forget

Not to Forget

2021
The Bushbaby

The Bushbaby

1969
Inside

Inside

1996
Boiling Pot

Boiling Pot

2015
A Special Kind of Love

A Special Kind of Love

2008
The Father Clements Story

The Father Clements Story

1987
Straight Up

Straight Up
Flashfire

Flashfire

1994
Crimes of Violence

Crimes of Violence
A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

2016
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

1998
I Forgive

I Forgive

2021
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die

The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die

1983
Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth

Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth

2008
Dog Jack

Dog Jack

2011
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play

1988
Everbrook (The Home)

Everbrook (The Home)
The Gang Activists

The Gang Activists

2019
Gridiron Gang

Gridiron Gang

Known For TV Shows

Family Guy

Family Guy

1999
Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0

2010
Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1

1997
Bonanza

Bonanza

1959
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962
Psych

Psych

2006
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975
Little House on the Prairie

Little House on the Prairie

1974
The Rockford Files

The Rockford Files

1974
ER

ER

1994
The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

1961
The Good Fight

The Good Fight

2017
American Experience

American Experience

1988
Madam Secretary

Madam Secretary

2014
Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

1944
The Batman

The Batman

2004
The Six Million Dollar Man

The Six Million Dollar Man

1974
Touched by an Angel

Touched by an Angel

1994
Hercules

Hercules

1998
The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone

2002
The Jeffersons

The Jeffersons

1975
McCloud

McCloud

1970
Love, American Style

Love, American Style

1969
Ellen

Ellen

1994
Celebrity Ghost Stories

Celebrity Ghost Stories

2009
The Rookies

The Rookies

1972
Extant

Extant

2014
Early Edition

Early Edition

1996
The Invaders

The Invaders

1967
The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948
The Oscars

The Oscars

1953
Petrocelli

Petrocelli

1974
The Merv Griffin Show

The Merv Griffin Show

1962
Good Times

Good Times

1974
Captain Planet and the Planeteers

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

1990
Watchmen

Watchmen

2019
Daktari

Daktari

1966
Alias Smith and Jones

Alias Smith and Jones

1971
Police Story

Police Story

1973
The Mod Squad

The Mod Squad

1968
The Partridge Family

The Partridge Family

1970
Half & Half

Half & Half

2002
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

1971
Roots

Roots

1977
Harry O

Harry O

1974
Promised Land

Promised Land

1996
The Bill Cosby Show

The Bill Cosby Show

1969
The American Film Institute Salute to ...

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

1973
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

1969
Please Turn the Page

Please Turn the Page

1977
Return to Lonesome Dove

Return to Lonesome Dove

1993
The Young Rebels

The Young Rebels

1970
The Spoils Before Dying

The Spoils Before Dying

2015
Black in the 80s

Black in the 80s

2005
The Book of Negroes

The Book of Negroes

2015
The Powers of Matthew Star

The Powers of Matthew Star

1982
Backstairs at the White House

Backstairs at the White House

1979
Palmerstown, U.S.A.

Palmerstown, U.S.A.

1980
Cowboy in Africa

Cowboy in Africa

1967
Gideon Oliver

Gideon Oliver

1989
The Critical List

The Critical List

1978
Sadat

Sadat

1983
The Lazarus Syndrome

The Lazarus Syndrome

1979

Movie Credits

IF

2024

Lewis (voice)

Jaws 3-D

1983

Calvin Bouchard

An Officer and a Gentleman

1982

Sergeant Emil Foley

The Color Purple

2023

Ol' Mister

The Principal

1987

Jake Phillips

Enemy Mine

1985

Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan

The Punisher

1989

Jake Berkowitz

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014

Self (archive footage)

The Choirboys

1977

Calvin Motts

Daddy's Little Girls

2007

Willie

Sidney

2022

Self

The Least Among You

2009

Samuel Benton

Iron Eagle

1986

Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

The Perfect Game

2009

Cool Papa Bell

The Deep

1977

Henri Cloche

Toy Soldiers

1991

Dean Parker

Delgo

2008

King Zahn (voice)

Legend of the Mummy

1998

Corbeck

Why Did I Get Married Too?

2010

Porter

Firewalker

1986

Leo Porter

Father & Son: Dangerous Relations

1993

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

2009

Self

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

2000

Lou Hastings

Iron Eagle II

1988

Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

Miracle at Gate 213

2013

Roy Peddington

Three Months

2022

Benny

Blue Chips

1994

Father Dawkins (uncredited)

Iron Eagle III

1992

Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

I Love Liberty

1982

Self

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

1995

Self

To Kill a Cop

1978

Everett Walker

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

2016

Self

The Josephine Baker Story

1991

Sidney Williams

The Grace Card

2011

George Wright

Outlaw Johnny Black

2023

Reverend Tharrington (voice) (uncredited)

Foster Boy

2019

Judge George Taylor

Hal

2019

Self

Companions in Nightmare

1968

Lt. Adam McKay

Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

1975

Otis James

Travels with My Aunt

1972

Wordsworth

King of the Dancehall

2017

The Bishop

Breaking Brooklyn

2018

Miles Bryant

A Raisin in the Sun

1961

George Murchison

Diggstown

1992

"Honey" Roy Palmer

All In

2006

Caps

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

2004

Rev. Elija Bliss (archive footage)

Undercover Grandpa

2017

Mother

The Guardian

1984

John Mack

A Father for Charlie

1995

Walter Osgood

Finders Keepers

1984

Century

Jasper, Texas

2003

R.C. Horn

A Fighting Man

2014

Cubby

Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

1987

Self

El Diablo

1990

Van Leek

Monolith

1993

Capt. MacCandless

Benny's Place

1982

Benny Moore

What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away

2002

Dr. Barnes

A Gathering of Old Men

1987

Mathu

For Love of Olivia

2001

Daniel Stewart

Roots: The Gift

1988

Fiddler

Y2K

1999

Morgan

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

1996

James Mink

Momentum

2003

Raymond Addison

Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

1992

Reader

Left Behind: World at War

2005

President Geral Fitzhugh

Club Soda

2006

Doc

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

1995

Ray Alexander

J.D.'s Revenge

1976

Rev. Elija Bliss

Amazing Racer

2009

Max Donovan

Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story

1996

Bob Kersee

Strange Justice

1999

Vernon Jordan

The Lazarus Syndrome

1978

Dr. MacArthur St. Clair

Smitty

2012

Mr. Smith

The Dependables

2014

Lou Jones

Skin Game

1971

Jason O'Rourke

Zooman

1995

Rueben Tate

Solar Attack

2006

President Ryan Gordon

Miracle in East Texas

2020

Irving Tanner Jr.

In His Father's Shoes

1997

Frank Crosby / Richard

Supervized

2019

Pendle

Iron Eagle on the Attack

1995

Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

The Landlord

1970

Copee Johnson

Stories USA

2007

Doc (segment "Club Soda")

The Black List: Volume One

2008

Self

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence

2000

Frank

It's Good to Be Alive

1974

Sam Brockington

Curse of the Starving Class

1994

Ellis

Double Play

2017

Coco

Lackawanna Blues

2005

Ol'lem Taylor

Freeman

1977

Rex

To Dance with Olivia

1997

Daniel Stewart

Cover

2007

Detective Hicks

Little Ladies of the Night

1977

Russ Garfield

Black Bart

1975

Black Bart

Keeper of the City

1991

Det. James Dela

Sudie and Simpson

1990

Simpson

The Inspectors

1998

Inspector Frank Hughes

A Good Man in Africa

1994

Prof. Sam Adekunle

The Cuban

2020

Luis Garcia

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart

2017

Self

Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing

1995

Narrator

Carolina Skeletons

1991

James Bragg

The New Girl

1960

Mary's Brother

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

1994

Ray Alexander

Deceived

2002

Col. David Garrett

Love Songs

1999

Reuben

The River Niger

1976

Dr. Dudley Stanton

The White Dawn

1974

Portagee

Dr. Lucille

2001

It Rained All Night the Day I Left

1980

Leo Garcia

Cover-Up

1991

Lou Jackson

Sidekicks

1974

Jason O'Rourke

The Laughing Policeman

1973

Insp. James Larrimore SFPD

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

2007

Self

Lawman Without a Gun

1979

Tom Hayward

Goodbye, Miss 4th of July

1988

Big John Creed

Forget to Remember

The Reason

2020

Pastor Jim

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

1981

Leroy 'Satchel' Paige

Zora is My Name!

1990

A Love Story of Today

2008

Self

The Undershepherd

2012

Bishop Redford

Managua

1996

Paul

The Highwayman

2000

Phil Bishop

Not to Forget

2021

Pastor John

The Bushbaby

1969

Tembo

Inside

1996

Questioner

Boiling Pot

2015

Detective Haven

A Special Kind of Love

2008

Self

The Father Clements Story

1987

Straight Up

Cosmo

Flashfire

1994

Ben Durand

Crimes of Violence

Self - Host

A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

2016

Himself

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

1998

Self

I Forgive

2021

God (voice)

The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die

1983

narrator

Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth

2008

Self

Dog Jack

2011

Grown up Jed

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play

1988

Sam

Everbrook (The Home)

The Gang Activists

2019

Self

Gridiron Gang

Host

TV Credits

Family Guy

1999

Drill Sargent (voice) (1 episodes)

Hawaii Five-0

2010

Lou's father (1 episodes)

Stargate SG-1

1997

Gerak (5 episodes)

Bonanza

1959

Buck Walter (1 episodes)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

Self (2 episodes)

Psych

2006

Lloyd Marr (1 episodes)

Saturday Night Live

1975

Self - Host (1 episodes)

Little House on the Prairie

1974

Henry Hill (1 episodes)

The Rockford Files

1974

Marcus Aurelius Hayes / O'Brien (1 episodes)

ER

1994

Leo Malcolm (1 episodes)

The Mike Douglas Show

1961

Self (1 episodes)

The Good Fight

2017

Carl Reddick (1 episodes)

American Experience

1988

Self - Narrator (1 episodes)

Madam Secretary

2014

Laurent Vasseur (1 episodes)

Golden Globe Awards

1944

Self - Nominee (1 episodes)

The Batman

2004

Lucius Fox (voice) (3 episodes)

The Six Million Dollar Man

1974

O'Flaherty (1 episodes)

Touched by an Angel

1994

Anderson Walker (1 episodes)

Hercules

1998

Chiron (voice) (1 episodes)

The Dead Zone

2002

Pastor David Lewis (1 episodes)

The Jeffersons

1975

(1 episodes)

McCloud

1970

(1 episodes)

Love, American Style

1969

Freddy (1 episodes)

Ellen

1994

Sgt. Timko (1 episodes)

Celebrity Ghost Stories

2009

Self (1 episodes)

The Rookies

1972

(1 episodes)

Extant

2014

Quinn (4 episodes)

Early Edition

1996

Jim Matthews (1 episodes)

The Invaders

1967

Ollie (1 episodes)

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948

Self (1 episodes)

The Oscars

1953

Self (2 episodes)

Petrocelli

1974

District Attorney Kurt Olson (1 episodes)

The Merv Griffin Show

1962

Self (1 episodes)

Good Times

1974

(2 episodes)

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

1990

Commander Clash (voice) (2 episodes)

Watchmen

2019

Old Man / Will Reeves (7 episodes)

Daktari

1966

Mkono (1 episodes)

Alias Smith and Jones

1971

(1 episodes)

Police Story

1973

(2 episodes)

The Mod Squad

1968

Smitty (1 episodes)

The Partridge Family

1970

Sam Simon (1 episodes)

Half & Half

2002

Ray Willis (2 episodes)

Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

1971

Lt. Carl Fellows (1 episodes)

Roots

1977

Fiddler (3 episodes)

Harry O

1974

Cleon Jackson (1 episodes)

Promised Land

1996

Anderson Walker (1 episodes)

The Bill Cosby Show

1969

Hurricane Smith (1 episodes)

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

1973

Self (1 episodes)

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

1969

Dr. Karnes (1 episodes)

Please Turn the Page

1977

Self (1 episodes)

Return to Lonesome Dove

1993

Isom Pickett (4 episodes)

The Young Rebels

1970

(15 episodes)

The Spoils Before Dying

2015

Duke Webster (6 episodes)

Black in the 80s

2005

(3 episodes)

The Book of Negroes

2015

Daddy Moses (6 episodes)

The Powers of Matthew Star

1982

Walter "Walt" Shepherd (D'Hai) (22 episodes)

Backstairs at the White House

1979

Levi Mercer, Houseman (4 episodes)

Palmerstown, U.S.A.

1980

(1 episodes)

Cowboy in Africa

1967

Joseph Hemera (1 episodes)

Gideon Oliver

1989

(5 episodes)

The Critical List

1978

Lem Harper (2 episodes)

Sadat

1983

Anwar al-Sadat (2 episodes)

The Lazarus Syndrome

1979

MacArthur St. Clair (10 episodes)

Movie Production Credits

IF

In Memory Of

2024

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

Executive Producer

2000

A Father for Charlie

Executive Producer

1995

For Love of Olivia

Executive Producer

2001

In His Father's Shoes

Executive Producer

1997

To Dance with Olivia

Executive Producer

1997

Love Songs

Director

1999

Inside

Executive Producer

1996

TV Production Credits

The Powers of Matthew Star

Director

1982