Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr.

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

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Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962 • as Self

The Merv Griffin Show

The Merv Griffin Show

1962 • as Self

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975 • as Self - Host

Family Guy

Family Guy

1999 • as Drill Sargent (voice)

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

1961 • as Self

Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0

2010 • as Lou's father

Filmography

2024

IF
IF
as Lewis (voice)
Movie - Released: 5/8/2024

2023

The Color Purple
The Color Purple
as Ol' Mister
Movie - Released: 12/25/2023
Outlaw Johnny Black
Outlaw Johnny Black
as Reverend Tharrington (voice) (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 9/15/2023

2022

Three Months
Three Months
as Benny
Movie - Released: 2/23/2022
Sidney
Sidney
as Self
Movie - Released: 9/10/2022

2021

I Forgive
I Forgive
as God (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/1/2021
Not to Forget
Not to Forget
as Pastor John
Movie - Released: 11/26/2021

2020

Miracle in East Texas
Miracle in East Texas
as Irving Tanner Jr.
Movie - Released: 2/7/2020
The Cuban
The Cuban
as Luis Garcia
Movie - Released: 7/31/2020
The Reason
The Reason
as Pastor Jim
Movie - Released: 9/12/2020

2019

Hal
Hal
as Self
Movie - Released: 3/28/2019
Supervized
Supervized
as Pendle
Movie - Released: 7/16/2019
Movie
The Gang Activists
as Self
Movie - Released: 7/4/2019
Foster Boy
Foster Boy
as Judge George Taylor
Movie - Released: 10/3/2019
Watchmen
Watchmen
as Old Man / Will Reeves
TV - Released: 10/20/2019

2018

Breaking Brooklyn
Breaking Brooklyn
as Miles Bryant
Movie - Released: 5/25/2018

2017

Double Play
Double Play
as Coco
Movie - Released: 1/27/2017
Undercover Grandpa
Undercover Grandpa
as Mother
Movie - Released: 7/7/2017
King of the Dancehall
King of the Dancehall
as The Bishop
Movie - Released: 1/13/2017
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/14/2017
The Good Fight
The Good Fight
as Carl Reddick
TV - Released: 2/19/2017

2016

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/14/2016
A.C. Green: Iron Virgin
A.C. Green: Iron Virgin
as Himself
Movie - Released: 5/13/2016

2015

Boiling Pot
Boiling Pot
as Detective Haven
Movie - Released: 9/29/2015
The Book of Negroes
The Book of Negroes
as Daddy Moses
TV - Released: 1/7/2015
The Spoils Before Dying
The Spoils Before Dying
as Duke Webster
TV - Released: 7/8/2015

2014

The Dependables
The Dependables
as Lou Jones
Movie - Released: 6/3/2014
A Fighting Man
A Fighting Man
as Cubby
Movie - Released: 4/24/2014
And the Oscar Goes To...
And the Oscar Goes To...
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 2/1/2014
Madam Secretary
Madam Secretary
as Father Laurent Vasseur
TV - Released: 9/21/2014
Extant
Extant
as Quinn
TV - Released: 7/9/2014

2013

Miracle at Gate 213
Miracle at Gate 213
as Roy Peddington
Movie - Released: 12/10/2013

2012

Smitty
Smitty
as Mr. Smith
Movie - Released: 4/10/2012
The Undershepherd
The Undershepherd
as Bishop Redford
Movie - Released: 2/15/2012

2011

Dog Jack
Dog Jack
as Grown up Jed
Movie - Released: 12/2/2011
The Grace Card
The Grace Card
as George Wright
Movie - Released: 2/25/2011

2010

Why Did I Get Married Too?
Why Did I Get Married Too?
as Porter
Movie - Released: 4/2/2010
Hawaii Five-0
Hawaii Five-0
as Lou's father
TV - Released: 9/20/2010

2009

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/1/2009
Movie
The Least Among You
as Samuel Benton
Movie - Released: 1/12/2009
The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game
as Cool Papa Bell
Movie - Released: 11/9/2009
Amazing Racer
Amazing Racer
as Max Donovan
Movie - Released: 4/23/2009
Celebrity Ghost Stories
Celebrity Ghost Stories
as Self
TV - Released: 10/3/2009

2008

Delgo
Delgo
as King Zahn (voice)
Movie - Released: 12/12/2008
Movie
Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/12/2008
The Black List: Volume One
The Black List: Volume One
as Himself
Movie - Released: 1/22/2008
A Special Kind of Love
A Special Kind of Love
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/12/2008
A Love Story of Today
A Love Story of Today
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/12/2008

2007

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas
The 50 Greatest Television Dramas
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/3/2007
Daddy's Little Girls
Daddy's Little Girls
as Willie
Movie - Released: 2/14/2007
Cover
Cover
as Detective Hicks
Movie - Released: 5/8/2007
Stories USA
Stories USA
as Doc (segment "Club Soda")
Movie - Released: 11/10/2007

2006

Solar Attack
Solar Attack
as President Ryan Gordon
Movie - Released: 5/25/2006
Club Soda
Club Soda
as Doc
Movie - Released: 9/22/2006
All In
All In
as Caps
Movie - Released: 3/14/2006
Psych
Psych
as Lloyd Marr
TV - Released: 7/7/2006

2005

Left Behind: World at War
Left Behind: World at War
as President Geral Fitzhugh
Movie - Released: 10/21/2005
Lackawanna Blues
Lackawanna Blues
as Ol'lem Taylor
Movie - Released: 2/12/2005
TV
Black in the 80s
TV - Released: 2/1/2005

2004

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
as Rev. Elija Bliss (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 7/13/2004
The Batman
The Batman
as Lucius Fox (voice)
TV - Released: 9/11/2004

2003

Momentum
Momentum
as Raymond Addison
Movie - Released: 3/26/2003
Jasper, Texas
Jasper, Texas
as R.C. Horn
Movie - Released: 6/8/2003

2002

Deceived
Deceived
as Col. David Garrett
Movie - Released: 3/26/2002
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away
What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away
as Dr. Barnes
Movie - Released: 5/31/2002
Half & Half
Half & Half
as Ray Willis
TV - Released: 9/23/2002
The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone
as Pastor David Lewis
TV - Released: 6/16/2002

2001

For Love of Olivia
For Love of Olivia
as Daniel Stewart
Movie - Released: 3/18/2001

2000

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence
as Frank
Movie - Released: 3/12/2000
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story
as Lou Hastings
Movie - Released: 3/19/2000
The Highwayman
The Highwayman
as Phil Bishop
Movie - Released: 1/1/2000

1999

Y2K
Y2K
as Morgan
Movie - Released: 7/1/1999
Strange Justice
Strange Justice
as Vernon Jordan
Movie - Released: 8/29/1999
Love Songs
Love Songs
as Reuben
Movie - Released: 4/25/1999
Family Guy
Family Guy
as Drill Sargent (voice)
TV - Released: 1/31/1999

1998

Legend of the Mummy
Legend of the Mummy
as Corbeck
Movie - Released: 3/30/1998
The Inspectors
The Inspectors
as Inspector Frank Hughes
Movie - Released: 9/20/1998
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/10/1998
Hercules
Hercules
as Chiron (voice)
TV - Released: 8/31/1998

1997

In His Father's Shoes
In His Father's Shoes
as Frank Crosby / Richard
Movie - Released: 6/5/1997
To Dance with Olivia
To Dance with Olivia
as Daniel Stewart
Movie - Released: 3/9/1997
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
as Gerak
TV - Released: 7/27/1997

1996

Managua
Managua
as Paul
Movie - Released: 4/9/1996
Movie
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story
as Bob Kersee
Movie - Released: 6/16/1996
Inside
Inside
as Questioner
Movie - Released: 8/25/1996
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
as James Mink
Movie - Released: 4/14/1996
Early Edition
Early Edition
TV - Released: 9/28/1996
Promised Land
Promised Land
as Anderson Walker
TV - Released: 9/17/1996

1995

Iron Eagle on the Attack
Iron Eagle on the Attack
as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Movie - Released: 12/1/1995
A Father for Charlie
A Father for Charlie
as Walter Osgood
Movie - Released: 1/1/1995
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
as Self
Movie - Released: 6/5/1995
Movie
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 1/1/1995
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
as Ray Alexander
Movie - Released: 3/20/1995
Zooman
Zooman
as Rueben Tate
Movie - Released: 3/19/1995

1994

Flashfire
Flashfire
as Ben Durand
Movie - Released: 9/15/1994
Curse of the Starving Class
Curse of the Starving Class
as Ellis
Movie - Released: 9/13/1994
Blue Chips
Blue Chips
as Father Dawkins (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 2/18/1994
A Good Man in Africa
A Good Man in Africa
as Prof. Sam Adekunle
Movie - Released: 7/14/1994
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
as Ray Alexander
Movie - Released: 5/13/1994
ER
ER
as Leo Malcolm
TV - Released: 9/19/1994
Ellen
Ellen
as Sgt. Timko
TV - Released: 3/29/1994
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
as Anderson Walker
TV - Released: 9/21/1994

1993

Monolith
Monolith
as Capt. MacCandless
Movie - Released: 9/16/1993
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations
Movie - Released: 4/19/1993
Return to Lonesome Dove
Return to Lonesome Dove
as Isom Pickett
TV - Released: 11/14/1993

1992

Iron Eagle III
Iron Eagle III
as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Movie - Released: 1/9/1992
Diggstown
Diggstown
as "Honey" Roy Palmer
Movie - Released: 8/14/1992
Movie
Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II
as Reader
Movie - Released: 11/11/1992

1991

Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers
as Dean Parker
Movie - Released: 4/24/1991
Cover-Up
Cover-Up
as Lou Jackson
Movie - Released: 2/22/1991
The Josephine Baker Story
The Josephine Baker Story
as Sidney Williams
Movie - Released: 3/16/1991
Carolina Skeletons
Carolina Skeletons
as James Bragg
Movie - Released: 9/30/1991
Keeper of the City
Keeper of the City
as Det. James Dela
Movie - Released: 12/20/1991

1990

El Diablo
El Diablo
as Van Leek
Movie - Released: 7/22/1990
Movie
Sudie and Simpson
as Simpson
Movie - Released: 9/11/1990
Zora is My Name!
Zora is My Name!
Movie - Released: 1/1/1990
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
as Commander Clash (voice)
TV - Released: 9/15/1990

1989

The Punisher
The Punisher
as Jake Berkowitz
Movie - Released: 10/5/1989
TV
Gideon Oliver
TV - Released: 2/20/1989

1988

Iron Eagle II
Iron Eagle II
as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Movie - Released: 11/11/1988
Roots: The Gift
Roots: The Gift
as Fiddler
Movie - Released: 12/11/1988
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play
as Sam
Movie - Released: 5/31/1988
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
as Big John Creed
Movie - Released: 12/3/1988
American Experience
American Experience
as Self - Narrator
TV - Released: 10/4/1988

1987

The Principal
The Principal
as Jake Phillips
Movie - Released: 9/18/1987
A Gathering of Old Men
A Gathering of Old Men
as Mathu
Movie - Released: 5/10/1987
The Father Clements Story
The Father Clements Story
Movie - Released: 12/13/1987
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
as Self
Movie - Released: 5/18/1987

1986

Iron Eagle
Iron Eagle
as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
Movie - Released: 1/17/1986
Firewalker
Firewalker
as Leo Porter
Movie - Released: 11/21/1986

1985

Enemy Mine
Enemy Mine
as Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan
Movie - Released: 12/12/1985

1984

Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
as Century
Movie - Released: 5/18/1984
The Guardian
The Guardian
as John Mack
Movie - Released: 10/20/1984

1983

Jaws 3-D
Jaws 3-D
as Calvin Bouchard
Movie - Released: 7/22/1983
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die
The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die
as narrator
Movie - Released: 7/15/1983
TV
Sadat
as Anwar al-Sadat
TV - Released: 10/31/1983

1982

An Officer and a Gentleman
An Officer and a Gentleman
as Sergeant Emil Foley
Movie - Released: 7/28/1982
I Love Liberty
I Love Liberty
as Self
Movie - Released: 3/21/1982
Benny's Place
Benny's Place
as Benny Moore
Movie - Released: 5/31/1982
The Powers of Matthew Star
The Powers of Matthew Star
as Walter "Walt" Shepherd (D'Hai)
TV - Released: 9/17/1982

1981

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige
as Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
Movie - Released: 5/31/1981

1980

It Rained All Night the Day I Left
It Rained All Night the Day I Left
as Leo Garcia
Movie - Released: 8/5/1980
Palmerstown, U.S.A.
Palmerstown, U.S.A.
TV - Released: 3/20/1980

1979

Lawman Without a Gun
Lawman Without a Gun
as Tom Hayward
Movie - Released: 5/30/1979
Backstairs at the White House
Backstairs at the White House
as Levi Mercer, Houseman
TV - Released: 1/29/1979
TV
The Lazarus Syndrome
as MacArthur St. Clair
TV - Released: 9/4/1979

1978

The Lazarus Syndrome
The Lazarus Syndrome
as Dr. MacArthur St. Clair
Movie - Released: 1/1/1978
To Kill a Cop
To Kill a Cop
as Everett Walker
Movie - Released: 4/10/1978
The Critical List
The Critical List
as Lem Harper
TV - Released: 9/11/1978

1977

Freeman
Freeman
as Rex
Movie - Released: 12/31/1977
The Deep
The Deep
as Henri Cloche
Movie - Released: 6/17/1977
The Choirboys
The Choirboys
as Calvin Motts
Movie - Released: 12/23/1977
Little Ladies of the Night
Little Ladies of the Night
as Russ Garfield
Movie - Released: 1/16/1977
Roots
Roots
as Fiddler
TV - Released: 1/23/1977
TV
Please Turn the Page
as Self
TV - Released: 4/20/1977

1976

J.D.'s Revenge
J.D.'s Revenge
as Rev. Elija Bliss
Movie - Released: 8/25/1976
The River Niger
The River Niger
as Dr. Dudley Stanton
Movie - Released: 4/14/1976

1975

Black Bart
Black Bart
as Black Bart
Movie - Released: 1/1/1975
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within
as Otis James
Movie - Released: 4/19/1975
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
TV - Released: 1/18/1975
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Host
TV - Released: 10/11/1975

1974

The White Dawn
The White Dawn
as Portagee
Movie - Released: 7/21/1974
It's Good to Be Alive
It's Good to Be Alive
as Sam Brockington
Movie - Released: 2/22/1974
Sidekicks
Sidekicks
as Jason O'Rourke
Movie - Released: 3/21/1974
Good Times
Good Times
TV - Released: 2/8/1974
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
TV - Released: 9/11/1974
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
as O'Flaherty
TV - Released: 1/18/1974
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
as Marcus Aurelius Hayes / O'Brien
TV - Released: 9/13/1974
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
as Marcus Aurelius 'Gabby' Hayes
TV - Released: 9/13/1974
Petrocelli
Petrocelli
as Kurt Olson, DA
TV - Released: 9/11/1974
Petrocelli
Petrocelli
as District Attorney Kurt Olson
TV - Released: 9/11/1974
Harry O
Harry O
as Cleon Jackson
TV - Released: 9/12/1974

1973

The Laughing Policeman
The Laughing Policeman
as Insp. James Larrimore SFPD
Movie - Released: 12/20/1973
Police Story
Police Story
TV - Released: 3/20/1973
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
as Self
TV - Released: 4/2/1973

1972

Travels with My Aunt
Travels with My Aunt
as Wordsworth
Movie - Released: 12/17/1972
The Rookies
The Rookies
TV - Released: 9/11/1972

1971

Skin Game
Skin Game
as Jason O'Rourke
Movie - Released: 9/30/1971
Alias Smith and Jones
Alias Smith and Jones
TV - Released: 1/5/1971
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
as Lt. Carl Fellows
TV - Released: 9/16/1971

1970

The Landlord
The Landlord
as Copee Johnson
Movie - Released: 5/20/1970
McCloud
McCloud
TV - Released: 2/17/1970
The Young Rebels
The Young Rebels
TV - Released: 9/20/1970
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
as Sam Simon
TV - Released: 9/25/1970

1969

The Bushbaby
The Bushbaby
as Tembo
Movie - Released: 9/1/1969
The Bill Cosby Show
The Bill Cosby Show
as Hurricane Smith
TV - Released: 9/14/1969
Love, American Style
Love, American Style
as Freddy
TV - Released: 9/29/1969
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
as Dr. Karnes
TV - Released: 9/14/1969

1968

Companions in Nightmare
Companions in Nightmare
as Lt. Adam McKay
Movie - Released: 11/23/1968
The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
as Smitty
TV - Released: 9/24/1968
The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
as Lloyd
TV - Released: 9/24/1968
The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
as Charley Jameson
TV - Released: 9/24/1968

1967

Cowboy in Africa
Cowboy in Africa
as Fulah
TV - Released: 9/11/1967
Cowboy in Africa
Cowboy in Africa
as Joseph Hemera
TV - Released: 9/11/1967
The Invaders
The Invaders
as Ollie
TV - Released: 1/10/1967

1966

Daktari
Daktari
as Mkono
TV - Released: 1/11/1966

1962

The Merv Griffin Show
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self
TV - Released: 10/1/1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
TV - Released: 10/1/1962

1961

A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
as George Murchison
Movie - Released: 5/28/1961
The Mike Douglas Show
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self
TV - Released: 12/11/1961

1960

Movie
The New Girl
as Mary's Brother
Movie - Released: 1/1/1960

1959

Bonanza
Bonanza
as Buck Walter
TV - Released: 9/12/1959

1953

The Oscars
The Oscars
as Self
TV - Released: 3/19/1953

1948

The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
TV - Released: 6/20/1948

1944

Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Winner
TV - Released: 1/20/1944
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Audience Member
TV - Released: 1/20/1944
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Presenter
TV - Released: 1/20/1944
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Host
TV - Released: 1/20/1944
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Nominee / Presenter
TV - Released: 1/20/1944

Unknown

Movie
Gridiron Gang
as Host
Movie
Everbrook (The Home)
Everbrook (The Home)
Movie
Movie
Straight Up
as Cosmo
Movie
Movie
Crimes of Violence
as Self - Host
Movie
Movie
Forget to Remember
Movie