(Reuters) – Louis Gossett Jr., the first black man to receive an Oscar for best supporting actor, has died at the age of 87, a family statement said on Friday, without giving the cause of death.
The Oscar winner had roles as an enslaved man in the television miniseries “Roots” or a pragmatic drill sergeant in “The Force of Destiny.” In “Sadat: The Peace Guerrilla”, he had the main role, as an Egyptian leader who achieves peace with Israel.
Gossett, who was also a producer, director, social activist and founder of the Eracism Foundation to combat racism, died in a rehabilitation center in Santa Monica, California, according to The Washington Post.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm that 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,” the actor's family said in their short statement.
The tall, imposing actor made history in 1983 when he became only the second black man, after actor Sidney Poitier 19 years earlier, to win an Oscar. Gossett took home the award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Sergeant Emil Foley in the romantic drama “The Force of Destiny”.
“More than anything, it was a great affirmation of my position as a black actor,” Gossett said of the award in his memoir, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” a reference to the original title of the film that won him the Oscar, “An Officer and a Gentleman” – An Officer and a Gentleman, in free translation.
In the 2010 book, Gossett wrote openly about the racism he encountered in early Hollywood, including being handcuffed to a tree after being stopped for walking in Beverly Hills at night.
He also talked about the difficulty he faced in getting a job, the pay inequality compared to white actors and the bitterness and resentment that led to the battles against medication and alcohol that he ended up winning.
Gossett is survived by two children, Satie and Sharron.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington)
Source: CNN Brasil
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