Another of the great actors from our childhood has passed away. Louis Gossett Jr., Oscar-winning star of An Officer and a Gentleman, Iron Eagle, and more, has died at the age of 87.
“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning. We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” reads a statement from Gossett’s family.
Gossett made history when he became the first Black actor win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance opposite Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman. If you were a kid growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, Gossett was an integral part of your childhood for his roles in Iron Eagle, Enemy Mine, Diggstown, Roots, Jaws 3D, and more.
It was a basketball injury that got Gossett into acting at a young age. He worked steadily since his film debut in 1961’s A Raisin in the Sun. Gossett was most recently seen in the recent remake of The Color Purple.
All of us here at Punch Drunk Critics extend our condolences to Gossett’s friends and family. [THR]
