Louis Gossett Jr.
Born
May 27, 1936 (age 87)
Died
March 29, 2024
Birthplace
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Louis Gossett Jr.

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

Movies

Sin
Sin
2025
Elijah
IF
IF
2024 ★ 7.0
Lewis (voice)
The Color Purple
The Color Purple
2023 ★ 7.0
Ol' Mister
Outlaw Johnny Black
Outlaw Johnny Black
2023 ★ 5.5
Reverend Tharrington (voice) (uncredited)
Three Months
Three Months
2022 ★ 7.0
Benny
Not to Forget
Not to Forget
2021 ★ 6.7
Pastor John
I Forgive
I Forgive
2021 ★ 4.7
God (voice)
The Reason
The Reason
2020 ★ 7.8
Pastor Jim
The Cuban
The Cuban
2020 ★ 4.8
Luis Garcia
Miracle in East Texas
Miracle in East Texas
2020 ★ 5.5
Irving Tanner Jr.
Foster Boy
Foster Boy
2019 ★ 7.0
Judge George Taylor
Supervized
Supervized
2019 ★ 5.2
Pendle
Breaking Brooklyn
Breaking Brooklyn
2018 ★ 7.8
Miles Bryant
Undercover Grandpa
Undercover Grandpa
2017 ★ 5.6
Mother
Double Play
Double Play
2017 ★ 3.5
Coco
King of the Dancehall
King of the Dancehall
2017 ★ 7.6
The Bishop
Boiling Pot
Boiling Pot
2015 ★ 5.2
Detective Haven
The Dependables
The Dependables
2014 ★ 3.1
Lou Jones
A Fighting Man
A Fighting Man
2014 ★ 5.4
Cubby
Miracle at Gate 213
Miracle at Gate 213
2013 ★ 6.0
Roy Peddington
Smitty
Smitty
2012 ★ 5.9
Mr. Smith
The Undershepherd
The Undershepherd
2012 ★ 2.0
Bishop Redford
Dog Jack
Dog Jack
2011 ★ 4.0
Grown up Jed
The Grace Card
The Grace Card
2011 ★ 7.3
George Wright
Why Did I Get Married Too?
Why Did I Get Married Too?
2010 ★ 6.5
Porter
The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game
2009 ★ 7.1
Cool Papa Bell
Amazing Racer
Amazing Racer
2009 ★ 6.0
Max Donovan
The Least Among You
The Least Among You
2009 ★ 5.0
Samuel Benton
Delgo
Delgo
2008 ★ 4.5
King Zahn (voice)
Stories USA
Stories USA
2007 ★ 3.9
Doc (segment "Club Soda")
Cover
Cover
2007 ★ 5.0
Detective Hicks
Daddy's Little Girls
Daddy's Little Girls
2007 ★ 6.9
Willie
Club Soda
Club Soda
2006
Doc
Solar Attack
Solar Attack
2006 ★ 5.2
President Ryan Gordon
All In
All In
2006 ★ 4.3
Caps
Left Behind: World at War
Left Behind: World at War
2005 ★ 4.1
President Geral Fitzhugh
Lackawanna Blues
Lackawanna Blues
2005 ★ 5.7
Ol'lem Taylor
Jasper, Texas
Jasper, Texas
2003 ★ 5.8
R.C. Horn
Momentum
Momentum
2003 ★ 4.8
Raymond Addison
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away
2002 ★ 7.0
Dr. Barnes
Deceived
Deceived
2002 ★ 4.2
Col. David Garrett
For Love of Olivia
For Love of Olivia
2001 ★ 1.0
Daniel Stewart
Dr. Lucille
Dr. Lucille
2001
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story
2000 ★ 7.0
Lou Hastings
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence
2000 ★ 5.8
Frank
The Highwayman
The Highwayman
2000 ★ 3.8
Phil Bishop
Strange Justice
Strange Justice
1999 ★ 6.0
Vernon Jordan
Y2K
Y2K
1999 ★ 5.4
Morgan
Love Songs
Love Songs
1999 ★ 8.0
Reuben
The Inspectors
The Inspectors
1998 ★ 5.9
Inspector Frank Hughes
Legend of the Mummy
Legend of the Mummy
1998 ★ 4.0
Corbeck
In His Father's Shoes
In His Father's Shoes
1997 ★ 3.5
Frank Crosby / Richard
To Dance with Olivia
To Dance with Olivia
1997
Daniel Stewart
Inside
Inside
1996 ★ 4.3
Questioner
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story
1996
Bob Kersee
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
1996 ★ 3.8
James Mink
Managua
Managua
1996 ★ 4.3
Paul
Iron Eagle on the Attack
Iron Eagle on the Attack
1995 ★ 3.8
Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
1995
Ray Alexander
Zooman
Zooman
1995 ★ 6.0
Rueben Tate
A Father for Charlie
A Father for Charlie
1995 ★ 6.7
Walter Osgood
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
1995
Narrator
Flashfire
Flashfire
1994 ★ 4.0
Ben Durand
Curse of the Starving Class
Curse of the Starving Class
1994 ★ 3.8
Ellis
A Good Man in Africa
A Good Man in Africa
1994 ★ 4.9
Prof. Sam Adekunle
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
1994
Ray Alexander
Blue Chips
Blue Chips
1994 ★ 6.1
Father Dawkins (uncredited)
Monolith
Monolith
1993 ★ 4.4
Capt. MacCandless
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
1993 ★ 6.0
Leonard Clay
Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II
Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II
1992 ★ 5.0
Reader
Diggstown
Diggstown
1992 ★ 6.3
"Honey" Roy Palmer
Iron Eagle III
Iron Eagle III
1992 ★ 4.1
Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Keeper of the City
Keeper of the City
1991 ★ 4.0
Det. James Dela
Carolina Skeletons
Carolina Skeletons
1991 ★ 6.8
James Bragg
Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers
1991 ★ 6.5
Dean Parker
The Josephine Baker Story
The Josephine Baker Story
1991 ★ 5.7
Sidney Williams
Cover-Up
Cover-Up
1991 ★ 3.9
Lou Jackson
Sudie and Simpson
Sudie and Simpson
1990 ★ 6.5
Simpson
El Diablo
El Diablo
1990 ★ 5.5
Van Leek
Zora is My Name!
Zora is My Name!
1990
The Punisher
The Punisher
1989 ★ 5.8
Jake Berkowitz
Roots: The Gift
Roots: The Gift
1988 ★ 6.8
Fiddler
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
1988 ★ 10.0
Big John Creed
Iron Eagle II
Iron Eagle II
1988 ★ 4.5
Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play
1988
Sam
The Father Clements Story
The Father Clements Story
1987
The Principal
The Principal
1987 ★ 6.5
Jake Phillips
A Gathering of Old Men
A Gathering of Old Men
1987 ★ 6.0
Mathu
Firewalker
Firewalker
1986 ★ 5.3
Leo Porter
Iron Eagle
Iron Eagle
1986 ★ 5.6
Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Enemy Mine
Enemy Mine
1985 ★ 6.9
Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan
The Guardian
The Guardian
1984 ★ 4.2
John Mack
Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
1984 ★ 5.3
Century
Jaws 3-D
Jaws 3-D
1983 ★ 4.5
Calvin Bouchard
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die
1983 ★ 5.0
narrator
An Officer and a Gentleman
An Officer and a Gentleman
1982 ★ 7.0
Sergeant Emil Foley
Benny's Place
Benny's Place
1982 ★ 10.0
Benny Moore
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
1981 ★ 6.0
Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
It Rained All Night the Day I Left
It Rained All Night the Day I Left
1980 ★ 4.8
Leo Garcia
The Lazarus Syndrome
The Lazarus Syndrome
1979 ★ 4.0
Dr. MacArthur St. Clair
Lawman Without a Gun
Lawman Without a Gun
1979
Tom Hayward
To Kill a Cop
To Kill a Cop
1978
Everett Walker
Freeman
Freeman
1977 ★ 5.0
Rex
The Choirboys
The Choirboys
1977 ★ 5.3
Calvin Motts
The Deep
The Deep
1977 ★ 6.0
Henri Cloche
Little Ladies of the Night
Little Ladies of the Night
1977 ★ 2.8
Russ Garfield
J.D.'s Revenge
J.D.'s Revenge
1976 ★ 5.7
Rev. Elija Bliss
The River Niger
The River Niger
1976 ★ 6.8
Dr. Dudley Stanton
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within
1975
Otis James
Black Bart
Black Bart
1975 ★ 3.4
Black Bart
The White Dawn
The White Dawn
1974 ★ 6.6
Portagee
Sidekicks
Sidekicks
1974 ★ 6.0
Jason O'Rourke
It's Good to Be Alive
It's Good to Be Alive
1974 ★ 6.6
Sam Brockington
The Laughing Policeman
The Laughing Policeman
1973 ★ 6.2
Insp. James Larrimore SFPD
Travels with My Aunt
Travels with My Aunt
1972 ★ 5.9
Wordsworth
Skin Game
Skin Game
1971 ★ 6.6
Jason O'Rourke
The Landlord
The Landlord
1970 ★ 5.8
Copee Johnson
The Bushbaby
The Bushbaby
1969 ★ 6.0
Tembo
Companions in Nightmare
Companions in Nightmare
1968 ★ 4.0
Lt. Adam McKay
A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
1961 ★ 7.7
George Murchison
The New Girl
The New Girl
1960
Mary's Brother
Straight Up
Straight Up
Cosmo
Forget to Remember
Forget to Remember
Gridiron Gang
Gridiron Gang
Host

TV Series

Watchmen
Watchmen
2019 ★ 7.6
Old Man / Will Reeves
7 Episodes
The Good Fight
The Good Fight
2017 ★ 7.5
Carl Reddick
1 Episode
The Spoils Before Dying
The Spoils Before Dying
2015 ★ 6.0
Duke Webster
6 Episodes
The Book of Negroes
The Book of Negroes
2015 ★ 6.5
Daddy Moses
6 Episodes
Madam Secretary
Madam Secretary
2014 ★ 7.0
Laurent Vasseur
1 Episode
Extant
Extant
2014 ★ 6.3
Quinn
4 Episodes
Hawaii Five-0
Hawaii Five-0
2010 ★ 7.8
Lou's father
1 Episode
Psych
Psych
2006 ★ 7.9
Lloyd Marr
1 Episode
Black in the 80s
Black in the 80s
2005
3 Episodes
The Batman
The Batman
2004 ★ 8.0
Lucius Fox (voice)
3 Episodes
Half & Half
Half & Half
2002 ★ 8.3
Ray Willis
2 Episodes
The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone
2002 ★ 7.3
Pastor David Lewis
1 Episode
Family Guy
Family Guy
1999 ★ 7.4
Drill Sargent (voice)
1 Episode
Hercules
Hercules
1998 ★ 6.9
Chiron (voice)
1 Episode
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
1997 ★ 8.3
Gerak
5 Episodes
Early Edition
Early Edition
1996 ★ 7.3
Jim Matthews
1 Episode
Promised Land
Promised Land
1996 ★ 6.1
Anderson Walker
1 Episode
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
1994 ★ 7.2
Anderson Walker
1 Episode
ER
ER
1994 ★ 7.8
Leo Malcolm
1 Episode
Ellen
Ellen
1994 ★ 6.1
Sgt. Timko
1 Episode
Return to Lonesome Dove
Return to Lonesome Dove
1993 ★ 6.9
Isom Pickett
4 Episodes
Picket Fences
Picket Fences
1992 ★ 7.4
Rick Jennings
1 Episode
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
1990 ★ 6.8
Commander Clash (voice)
2 Episodes
Gideon Oliver
Gideon Oliver
1989 ★ 5.5
5 Episodes
Sadat
Sadat
1983 ★ 7.0
Anwar al-Sadat
2 Episodes
The Powers of Matthew Star
The Powers of Matthew Star
1982 ★ 5.0
Walter "Walt" Shepherd (D'Hai)
22 Episodes
Palmerstown, U.S.A.
Palmerstown, U.S.A.
1980 ★ 5.5
1 Episode
The Lazarus Syndrome
The Lazarus Syndrome
1979 ★ 5.0
MacArthur St. Clair
10 Episodes
Backstairs at the White House
Backstairs at the White House
1979 ★ 5.9
Levi Mercer, Houseman
4 Episodes
The Critical List
The Critical List
1978
Lem Harper
2 Episodes
Roots
Roots
1977 ★ 7.4
Fiddler
3 Episodes
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
1975 ★ 7.3
1 Episode
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
1974 ★ 7.6
Marcus Aurelius Hayes / O'Brien
1 Episode
Harry O
Harry O
1974 ★ 4.6
Cleon Jackson
1 Episode
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
1974 ★ 7.9
Henry Hill
1 Episode
Petrocelli
Petrocelli
1974 ★ 7.2
Kurt Olson, DA
1 Episode
Good Times
Good Times
1974 ★ 8.0
2 Episodes
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
1974 ★ 7.3
O'Flaherty
1 Episode
Police Story
Police Story
1973 ★ 6.9
2 Episodes
The Rookies
The Rookies
1972 ★ 6.8
1 Episode
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
1971 ★ 6.3
Lt. Carl Fellows
1 Episode
Alias Smith and Jones
Alias Smith and Jones
1971 ★ 7.0
1 Episode
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
1970 ★ 6.8
Sam Simon
1 Episode
The Young Rebels
The Young Rebels
1970 ★ 4.5
15 Episodes
McCloud
McCloud
1970 ★ 7.1
1 Episode
Love, American Style
Love, American Style
1969 ★ 6.1
Freddy
1 Episode
The Bill Cosby Show
The Bill Cosby Show
1969 ★ 5.4
Hurricane Smith
1 Episode
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
1969 ★ 4.0
Dr. Karnes
1 Episode
The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
1968 ★ 6.2
Smitty
1 Episode
Cowboy in Africa
Cowboy in Africa
1967 ★ 5.0
Fulah
1 Episode
The Invaders
The Invaders
1967 ★ 6.8
Ollie
1 Episode
Daktari
Daktari
1966 ★ 7.2
Mkono
1 Episode
Bonanza
Bonanza
1959 ★ 7.5
Buck Walter
1 Episode