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Louis Gossett Jr. Was the Man, But Did You Know He Also Starred in These Films?

We celebrate the life and career of the legendary actor by exploring some of his most memorable roles.

Photo: Getty Images Charley Gallay

As movie fans, co-stars and fellow actors mourn the loss of Louis Gossett Jr., tributes to his influential career have poured in. From his comedic work in the โ€˜70s, to his action heroes of the โ€˜80s, to his impactful work in important projects like โ€œRoots,โ€ the Oscar winner delivered trailblazing performances in every possible genre. Though weโ€™ll never be able to truly showcase all of his spectacular work, we do need to celebrate the unforgettable legacy of Louis Gossett Jr. by examining some of his most memorable roles.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

The Mod Squad

Photo: Getty Images Evan Agostini Photo: Getty Images Evan Agostini

Like many Black actors in his generation, Louis Gossett Jr. had guest roles in some of the most popular shows of the โ€˜70s and โ€˜80s, including โ€œThe Jefferson,โ€ โ€œThe Six Million Dollar Manโ€ and โ€œThe Rockford Files.โ€ However, his most frequent appearances came in the gritty police drama, โ€œThe Mod Squad.โ€

Skin Game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxeD1a9d8ug

Though he became known for his dramatic roles, some of Gossettโ€™s best work was in comedy. This 1971 western co-starring James Garner shows just how good he was at subverting character expectations.

Roots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZChrO22EIQ

At this point, thereโ€™s not much left to say about the powerful impact of โ€œRoots.โ€ As Fiddler, Gossett Jr. is the wise elder who helps Kunta Kinte, and us, process the horrors of captivity while striving to maintain his humanity. Wise elder was a role he found himself in many times, but he made it unique and heartwarming every time.

Donโ€™t Look Back: The Story of Leroy โ€˜Satchelโ€™ Paige

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

The legend spent so much of his career delivering our stories and history to the world. Long before โ€œSoul of the Gameโ€ and โ€œ42,โ€ he gave us this film about the great Satchel Paige.

An Officer and a Gentleman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr94It4rrzg

Itโ€™s no surprise that he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in โ€œAn Officer and a Gentleman,โ€ because he commands the screen every minute heโ€™s on it. The movie may be about Richard Gere and Debra Wingerโ€™s characters, but Foley is hands down the most interesting person in the film. He keeps the audience invested and captivated with his mere presence.

Enemy Mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfaBrovdOBA

In this cult favorite, Louis Gossett Jr. took a role that no one else wanted and made it a classic. Despite the limitations of heavy special effects makeup and costuming, he never lets us forget about the emotions tormenting Jareeba. Now when we watch this movie, we canโ€™t imagine anyone else in the role.

Iron Eagle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyruzLjVwbc

If youโ€™re looking for an action franchise that embodies โ€˜80s movies, look no further than โ€œIron Eagle.โ€ Yes, the films are all extremely โ€˜80s, but somehow Gossett Jr. manages to bring a few moments of serious acting to this unapologetically cheesy franchise.

A Gathering of Old Men

Photo: Getty Images Mark Davis Photo: Getty Images Mark Davis

Gossett Jr. had an everyman quality that made viewers feel like they knew every character he played personally. No matter the setting or genre, it always felt like we were just getting a story from an old family friend.

Lackawanna Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sofw5pY9Va8

โ€œLackawanna Bluesโ€ features a star-studded cast of extraordinary talent. But Gossett Jr. still manages to make his time on-screen and important.

The Book of Negroes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJcuIOSDGCM

He once again leads a rebellious enslaved person on their journey to freedom. And once again he gives us a dignity that most slave stories donโ€™t bother examining.

Watchmen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXd8USrI3B0

HBOโ€™s โ€œWatchmenโ€ brilliantly continued the story of the graphic novel, effortlessly combining a superhero story with Americaโ€™s history racial violence. If you need a legendary Black actor with gravitas to portray the first hero, thereโ€™s no better choice than Louis Gossett Jr. He brings an authenticity and influence to the role that makes the fantasy elements totally believable.

The Color Purple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvbqwkDU5WY

In one of his final on-screen roles, Gossett Jr. breathed new life into Olโ€™ Mister making him more than just a one note angry old man. He was the reflection of Colman Domingoโ€™s Mister, creating a space for his redemption arc.

IF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2KvK-w6w8

In one of his final roles, Gossett Jr. provides the voice of one of the imaginary friends in the upcoming film starring Ryan Reynolds. Itโ€™s currently scheduled for release on May 17.

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