Trivia

He was cast in his Oscar-winning role in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) after Jack Nicholson turned down the role, and none of the other actors who the producers wanted proved available at the time. Screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart then did research on a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida and found out the top drill instructors they had there were African-American. Upon realizing this, Gossett was cast in what can now arguably be his best remembered role.

Was originally cast as Gale Sayers in the television movie Brian's Song (1971). 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 as a replacement. Gossett, depressed over missing his "shot", was promised by producer David L. Wolper the first great role that came along. About six years later, Wolper called Gossett to play Fiddler in Roots (1977), the Emmy Award-winning role that made him a star.

Gossett was drafted by the New York Knickerbockers.

His foundation, Eracism, is devoted to eradicating racism.

Was named "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1990.

Attended Woodstock. He said, "I wanted to be in the now. There were a whole bunch of us there, in the now. Anywhere anything exciting was happening, we were there.".

Conceived and co-wrote the well known song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens. As the opening act for the original Woodstock, Havens performed "Handsome Johnny," as the eighth 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).

(February 8, 2010) Diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Friends with John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Cicely Tyson.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 20, 1992.

Was at another party with members of the Mamas and the Papas singing group on the night of August 9, 1969, when he and the others were invited to a party at the Los Angeles home of Sharon Tate. Gossett went home to shower and change clothes and was about to leave when he saw a news broadcast on television that Tate had been murdered by Charles Manson and his associates.

In the early 1990s, Rich Little offered him the chance to be his opening act in Las Vegas, but he turned it down, a move that he deeply regrets. He sent his wife, Cynthia L. James, in his place.

He and his ex-wife Cynthia L. James have an adopted son.

Was considered for the role of Lieutenant Ted Traxler in The Terminator (1984), which went to Paul Winfield.

He was the first male to be shown giving birth on screen, as Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan in Enemy Mine (1985).

Along with Stacy Keach, 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). The role instead went to Beau Bridges, however Gossett was cast as a Jaffa leader named Gerak.

Attended Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School.

He was awarded the 1970 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Performance for the play, "Murderous Angels" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Was very proud of his co-star Richard Gere's performance in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) and although he Gossett won an Oscar for his performance in that film he expressed disappointment in the Academy for not nominating Gere for Best Actor. He said Gere should have been nominated and won Best Actor for his work in the film.

Survived by his two sons, Satie and Sharron Gossett, and several grandchildren.

In IF (2024) Louis Gossett Jr. played the voice of Lewis, who lives in a retirement village in Coney Island. Louis Gossett Jr. was born in Coney Island.

Cousin of Neal L. Gossett.