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Louis Gossett Jr. Of "Roots" Fame Dies At 87
Sad to hear of the death of Louis Gossett Jr., a great actor who was already famous before he soared to legendary heights playing "Fiddler" in the TV miniseries Roots. No cause of death was released.
The obit below tells a number of stories I'd never heard about this pioneer performer, including how he got into the business by accident, his encounters with racism, which included being handcuffed and chained to a tree in L.A. for three hours and perhaps the most chilling of all - the day he was invited to a star's party, but decided to make a quick pitstop at home first.
It was a move that saved his life.
"In August 1969, Gossett had been partying with members of the Mamas and the Papas when they were invited to actor Sharon Tate’s house. He headed home first to shower and change clothes. As he was getting ready to leave, he caught a news flash on TV about Tate’s murder. She and others were killed by Charles Manson’s associates that night."
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
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Re: Louis Gossett Jr. Of "Roots" Fame Dies At 87
Ironically winning the best supporting actor award for An Officer and a Gentleman was the worst thing that happened to him.
In those days Hollywood liked black actors because they were habitually underpaid.
When Gossett won the Oscar his work opportunities dropped off because the award made him too expensive and Hollywood filmmakers turned to lesser known and cheaper black actors.
That doesn't seem to happen so much these days.
Actors like Denzel Washington and Idris Elba are highly paid and sought after.
Will Smith is another good example, but that unfortunately came as quite a slap in the face.
Last edited by newsguy1 (March 29, 2024 2:57 pm)