Louis Gossett Jr. Add to My Celebs Age 75 Birthday May. 27th, 1936 Born in Brooklyn, New York, USA Height 6' 4"

Louis Gossett Jr.'s Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Later with Bob Costas Louis Gosse… Gideon Oliver Gideon Oliver The Lazarus Syndrome Dr. MacArth… The Powers of Matthew Star Walt Shephard The Young Rebels Isak Poole

Main Movie Roles 2010 - Why Did I Get Married Too? 2009 - The Least Among You 2008 - Delgo 2007 - Daddy's Little Girls 2006 - All in 1995 - Iron Eagle IV 1994 - Blue Chips 1994 - A Good Man in Africa 1992 - Diggstown 1991 - Toy Soldiers 1989 - The Punisher 1988 - Iron Eagle II 1987 - The Principal 1986 - Firewalker 1986 - Iron Eagle 1985 - Enemy Mine 1984 - Finders Keepers 1983 - Jaws 3-D 1982 - An Officer and a Gentleman 1977 - The Deep 1976 - J.D.'s Revenge 1974 - The White Dawn 1973 - The Laughing Policeman 1972 - Travels With My Aunt 1971 - Skin Game 1961 - A Raisin In The Sun

NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at IMDB


BIOGRAPHY:

Gossett made his professional acting debut at the age of 17, winning the Donaldson Award as best newcomer to theatre. He went to NYU on a basketball scholarship and was invited to try out for the NY Knicks, yet he decided to continue his acting career with a role in the Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun".


TRIVIA:

• He was the first male to be shown giving birth on screen, as Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan in _Enemy Mine (1985)_ (qv).
• Conceived and co-wrote the well known song "Handsome Johnny" with 'Richie Havens' (qv). As the opening act for the original Woodstock, Havens performed "Handsome Johnny," as the 8th song in that historic first set. According to Havens, "...(Gossett) had gotten it up to the 'Dunkirk war'...I brought it up to date..." (From liner notes in The Best of Richie Havens CD, 1993).
• Was originally cast as 'Gale Sayers' (qv) in the 1971 TV movie _Brian's Song (1971) (TV)_ (qv). Just days before shooting began, Gossett tore his Achilles' tendon while working out for the film. The studio execs scrambled and quickly hired 'Billy Dee Williams' (qv) as a replacement. Gossett, depressed over missing his "shot", was promised by producer 'David L. Wolper' (qv) the first great role that came along. About six years later, Wolper called Gossett to play "Fiddler" in _"Roots" (1977)_ (qv), the Emmy-winning role that made him a star!.
• He and his ex-wife, 'Cyndi James Gossett' (qv), have an adopted son.
• Along with 'Stacy Keach' (qv), he was one of two actors considered for the role of the SGC's new commanding officer, General Hank Landry, on _"Stargate SG-1" (1997)_ (qv). The role instead went to 'Beau Bridges (I)' (qv) however Gossett was cast as a Jaffa leader named Gerak.
• First cousin of 'Robert Gossett' (qv).
• Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1990.
• Was considered for the role of Lt. Traxler in _The Terminator (1984)_ (qv),.

Louis Gossett Jr. Photos

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