Louis Gossett Jr., the Academy Award-winning legend of stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 87. Gossett Jr. enjoyed a diverse and varied career across multiple decades, appearing in such productions as Stargate SG-1, The Laughing Policeman, and Iron Eagle. In 1982, he became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the Richard Gere movie An Officer and A Gentleman. He also earned a Primetime Emmy Award for starring in Roots alongside John Amos, becoming one of the most iconic African-American actors.
