background
Louis Gossett Jr.
Acting

Louis Gossett Jr.

Known for exceptional acting in global cinema.

Profession

Acting

Birthday

27 May 1936

Age

90 Years

Born In

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Total Projects

219

Years Active

81 Yrs

Avg Rating

6.5 ★

Overview

Louis Gossett Jr. (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 won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards in an acting career...

Filmography

Sin

movie

Sin

2025

Sin

as Elijah

IF

movie

IF

2024

IF

as Lewis (voice)

The Color Purple

movie

The Color Purple

2023

The Color Purple

as Ol' Mister

Outlaw Johnny Black

movie

Outlaw Johnny Black

2023

Outlaw Johnny Black

as Reverend Tharrington (voice) (uncredited)

Sidney

movie

Sidney

2022

Sidney

as Self

Three Months

movie

Three Months

2022

Three Months

as Benny

Not to Forget

movie

Not to Forget

2021

Not to Forget

as Pastor John

I Forgive

movie

I Forgive

2021

I Forgive

as God (voice)

The Reason

movie

The Reason

2020

The Reason

as Pastor Jim

The Cuban

movie

The Cuban

2020

The Cuban

as Luis Garcia

Miracle in East Texas

movie

Miracle in East Texas

2020

Miracle in East Texas

as Irving Tanner Jr.

Watchmen

tv

Watchmen

2019

Watchmen

as Old Man / Will Reeves

Foster Boy

movie

Foster Boy

2019

Foster Boy

as Judge George Taylor

Supervized

movie

Supervized

2019

Supervized

as Pendle

CineRaya

movie

The Gang Activists

2019

The Gang Activists

as Self

Hal

movie

Hal

2019

Hal

as Self

Breaking Brooklyn

movie

Breaking Brooklyn

2018

Breaking Brooklyn

as Miles Bryant

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart

movie

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart

2017

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart

as Self

Undercover Grandpa

movie

Undercover Grandpa

2017

Undercover Grandpa

as Mother

The Good Fight

tv

The Good Fight

2017

The Good Fight

as Carl Reddick

Double Play

movie

Double Play

2017

Double Play

as Coco

King of the Dancehall

movie

King of the Dancehall

2017

King of the Dancehall

as The Bishop

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

movie

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

2016

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

as Self

A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

movie

A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

2016

A.C. Green: Iron Virgin

as Himself

Boiling Pot

movie

Boiling Pot

2015

Boiling Pot

as Detective Haven

The Spoils Before Dying

tv

The Spoils Before Dying

2015

The Spoils Before Dying

as Duke Webster

The Book of Negroes

tv

The Book of Negroes

2015

The Book of Negroes

as Daddy Moses

Madam Secretary

tv

Madam Secretary

2014

Madam Secretary

as Laurent Vasseur

Extant

tv

Extant

2014

Extant

as Quinn

The Dependables

movie

The Dependables

2014

The Dependables

as Lou Jones

A Fighting Man

movie

A Fighting Man

2014

A Fighting Man

as Cubby

Miracle at Gate 213

movie

Miracle at Gate 213

2013

Miracle at Gate 213

as Roy Peddington

Breaking at the Edge

movie

Breaking at the Edge

2013

Breaking at the Edge

as Floyd

Smitty

movie

Smitty

2012

Smitty

as Mr. Smith

The Undershepherd

movie

The Undershepherd

2012

The Undershepherd

as Bishop Redford

Dog Jack

movie

Dog Jack

2011

Dog Jack

as Grown up Jed

The Grace Card

movie

The Grace Card

2011

The Grace Card

as George Wright

Hawaii Five-0

tv

Hawaii Five-0

2010

Hawaii Five-0

as Lou's father

Why Did I Get Married Too?

movie

Why Did I Get Married Too?

2010

Why Did I Get Married Too?

as Porter

The Perfect Game

movie

The Perfect Game

2009

The Perfect Game

as Cool Papa Bell

Celebrity Ghost Stories

tv

Celebrity Ghost Stories

2009

Celebrity Ghost Stories

as Self

Amazing Racer

movie

Amazing Racer

2009

Amazing Racer

as Max Donovan

CineRaya

movie

The Least Among You

2009

The Least Among You

as Samuel Benton

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

movie

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

2009

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

as Self

Delgo

movie

Delgo

2008

Delgo

as King Zahn (voice)

CineRaya

movie

Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth

2008

Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth

as Self

A Love Story of Today

movie

A Love Story of Today

2008

A Love Story of Today

as Self

A Special Kind of Love

movie

A Special Kind of Love

2008

A Special Kind of Love

as Self

The Black List: Volume One

movie

The Black List: Volume One

2008

The Black List: Volume One

as Self

Stories USA

movie

Stories USA

2007

Stories USA

as Doc (segment "Club Soda")

Cover

movie

Cover

2007

Cover

as Detective Hicks

Daddy's Little Girls

movie

Daddy's Little Girls

2007

Daddy's Little Girls

as Willie

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

movie

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

2007

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

as Self

Club Soda

movie

Club Soda

2006

Club Soda

as Doc

Psych

tv

Psych

2006

Psych

as Lloyd Marr

Solar Attack

movie

Solar Attack

2006

Solar Attack

as President Ryan Gordon

All In

movie

All In

2006

All In

as Caps

Left Behind: World at War

movie

Left Behind: World at War

2005

Left Behind: World at War

as President Geral Fitzhugh

Black in the 80s

tv

Black in the 80s

2005

Black in the 80s

Lackawanna Blues

movie

Lackawanna Blues

2005

Lackawanna Blues

as Ol'lem Taylor

The Batman

tv

The Batman

2004

The Batman

as Lucius Fox (voice)

Jasper, Texas

movie

Jasper, Texas

2003

Jasper, Texas

as R.C. Horn

Momentum

movie

Momentum

2003

Momentum

as Raymond Addison

Half & Half

tv

Half & Half

2002

Half & Half

as Ray Willis

The Dead Zone

tv

The Dead Zone

2002

The Dead Zone

as Pastor David Lewis

What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away

movie

What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away

2002

What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away

as Dr. Barnes

Deceived

movie

Deceived

2002

Deceived

as Col. David Garrett

For Love of Olivia

movie

For Love of Olivia

2001

For Love of Olivia

as Daniel Stewart

Dr. Lucille

movie

Dr. Lucille

2001

Dr. Lucille

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

movie

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

2000

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story

as Lou Hastings

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence

movie

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence

2000

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence

as Frank

The Highwayman

movie

The Highwayman

2000

The Highwayman

as Phil Bishop

Strange Justice

movie

Strange Justice

1999

Strange Justice

as Vernon Jordan

Y2K

movie

Y2K

1999

Y2K

as Morgan

Love Songs

movie

Love Songs

1999

Love Songs

as Reuben

Family Guy

tv

Family Guy

1999

Family Guy

as Drill Sargent (voice)

The Inspectors

movie

The Inspectors

1998

The Inspectors

as Inspector Frank Hughes

Hercules

tv

Hercules

1998

Hercules

as Chiron (voice)

The Wall That Heals

movie

The Wall That Heals

1998

The Wall That Heals

as Self - Host

Legend of the Mummy

movie

Legend of the Mummy

1998

Legend of the Mummy

as Corbeck

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

movie

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

1998

Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

as Self

Stargate SG-1

tv

Stargate SG-1

1997

Stargate SG-1

as Gerak

In His Father's Shoes

movie

In His Father's Shoes

1997

In His Father's Shoes

as Frank Crosby / Richard

To Dance with Olivia

movie

To Dance with Olivia

1997

To Dance with Olivia

as Daniel Stewart

Early Edition

tv

Early Edition

1996

Early Edition

as Jim Matthews

Promised Land

tv

Promised Land

1996

Promised Land

as Anderson Walker

Inside

movie

Inside

1996

Inside

as Questioner

CineRaya

movie

Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story

1996

Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story

as Bob Kersee

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

movie

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

1996

Captive Heart: The James Mink Story

as James Mink

Managua

movie

Managua

1996

Managua

as Paul

Iron Eagle on the Attack

movie

Iron Eagle on the Attack

1995

Iron Eagle on the Attack

as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

movie

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

1995

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

as Self

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

movie

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

1995

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder

as Ray Alexander

Zooman

movie

Zooman

1995

Zooman

as Rueben Tate

A Father for Charlie

movie

A Father for Charlie

1995

A Father for Charlie

as Walter Osgood

CineRaya

movie

Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing

1995

Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing

as Narrator

Touched by an Angel

tv

Touched by an Angel

1994

Touched by an Angel

as Anderson Walker

ER

tv

ER

1994

ER

as Leo Malcolm

Flashfire

movie

Flashfire

1994

Flashfire

as Ben Durand

Curse of the Starving Class

movie

Curse of the Starving Class

1994

Curse of the Starving Class

as Ellis

A Good Man in Africa

movie

A Good Man in Africa

1994

A Good Man in Africa

as Prof. Sam Adekunle

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

movie

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

1994

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice

as Ray Alexander

Ellen

tv

Ellen

1994

Ellen

as Sgt. Timko

Blue Chips

movie

Blue Chips

1994

Blue Chips

as Father Dawkins (uncredited)

Return to Lonesome Dove

tv

Return to Lonesome Dove

1993

Return to Lonesome Dove

as Isom Pickett

Monolith

movie

Monolith

1993

Monolith

as Capt. MacCandless

Father & Son: Dangerous Relations

movie

Father & Son: Dangerous Relations

1993

Father & Son: Dangerous Relations

as Leonard Clay

CineRaya

movie

Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

1992

Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

as Reader (voice)

Picket Fences

tv

Picket Fences

1992

Picket Fences

as Rick Jennings

Diggstown

movie

Diggstown

1992

Diggstown

as "Honey" Roy Palmer

Iron Eagle III

movie

Iron Eagle III

1992

Iron Eagle III

as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

Keeper of the City

movie

Keeper of the City

1991

Keeper of the City

as Det. James Dela

Carolina Skeletons

movie

Carolina Skeletons

1991

Carolina Skeletons

as James Bragg

Toy Soldiers

movie

Toy Soldiers

1991

Toy Soldiers

as Dean Parker

The Josephine Baker Story

movie

The Josephine Baker Story

1991

The Josephine Baker Story

as Sidney Williams

Cover-Up

movie

Cover-Up

1991

Cover-Up

as Lou Jackson

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

tv

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

1990

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

as Commander Clash (voice)

Sudie and Simpson

movie

Sudie and Simpson

1990

Sudie and Simpson

as Simpson

El Diablo

movie

El Diablo

1990

El Diablo

as Van Leek

Zora is My Name!

movie

Zora is My Name!

1990

Zora is My Name!

The Punisher

movie

The Punisher

1989

The Punisher

as Jake Berkowitz

CineRaya

tv

Gideon Oliver

1989

Gideon Oliver

Roots: The Gift

movie

Roots: The Gift

1988

Roots: The Gift

as Fiddler

Goodbye, Miss 4th of July

movie

Goodbye, Miss 4th of July

1988

Goodbye, Miss 4th of July

as Big John Creed

Iron Eagle II

movie

Iron Eagle II

1988

Iron Eagle II

as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

American Experience

tv

American Experience

1988

American Experience

as Narrator (voice)

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play

movie

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play

1988

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play

as Sam

The Father Clements Story

movie

The Father Clements Story

1987

The Father Clements Story

The Principal

movie

The Principal

1987

The Principal

as Jake Phillips

Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

movie

Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

1987

Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

as Self

A Gathering of Old Men

movie

A Gathering of Old Men

1987

A Gathering of Old Men

as Mathu

Firewalker

movie

Firewalker

1986

Firewalker

as Leo Porter

Iron Eagle

movie

Iron Eagle

1986

Iron Eagle

as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair

Enemy Mine

movie

Enemy Mine

1985

Enemy Mine

as Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan

The Guardian

movie

The Guardian

1984

The Guardian

as John Mack

Finders Keepers

movie

Finders Keepers

1984

Finders Keepers

as Century

CineRaya

tv

Sadat

1983

Sadat

as Anwar al-Sadat

Jaws 3-D

movie

Jaws 3-D

1983

Jaws 3-D

as Calvin Bouchard

The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die

movie

The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die

1983

The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die

as narrator

The Powers of Matthew Star

tv

The Powers of Matthew Star

1982

The Powers of Matthew Star

as Walter "Walt" Shepherd (D'Hai)

An Officer and a Gentleman

movie

An Officer and a Gentleman

1982

An Officer and a Gentleman

as Sergeant Emil Foley

Benny's Place

movie

Benny's Place

1982

Benny's Place

as Benny Moore

I Love Liberty

movie

I Love Liberty

1982

I Love Liberty

as Self

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

movie

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

1981

Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige

as Leroy 'Satchel' Paige

It Rained All Night the Day I Left

movie

It Rained All Night the Day I Left

1980

It Rained All Night the Day I Left

as Leo Garcia

Palmerstown, U.S.A.

tv

Palmerstown, U.S.A.

1980

Palmerstown, U.S.A.

The Lazarus Syndrome

movie

The Lazarus Syndrome

1979

The Lazarus Syndrome

as Dr. MacArthur St. Clair

The Lazarus Syndrome

tv

The Lazarus Syndrome

1979

The Lazarus Syndrome

as MacArthur St. Clair

Lawman Without a Gun

movie

Lawman Without a Gun

1979

Lawman Without a Gun

as Tom Hayward

Backstairs at the White House

tv

Backstairs at the White House

1979

Backstairs at the White House

as Levi Mercer, Houseman

The Critical List

tv

The Critical List

1978

The Critical List

as Lem Harper

To Kill a Cop

movie

To Kill a Cop

1978

To Kill a Cop

as Everett Walker

To Kill a Cop

tv

To Kill a Cop

1978

To Kill a Cop

as Everett Walker

CineRaya

movie

The Sentry Collection Presents Ben Vereen: His Roots

1978

The Sentry Collection Presents Ben Vereen: His Roots

as Self

Freeman

movie

Freeman

1977

Freeman

as Rex

The Choirboys

movie

The Choirboys

1977

The Choirboys

as Calvin Motts

The Deep

movie

The Deep

1977

The Deep

as Henri Cloche

CineRaya

tv

Please Turn the Page

1977

Please Turn the Page

as Self

Roots

tv

Roots

1977

Roots

as Fiddler

Little Ladies of the Night

movie

Little Ladies of the Night

1977

Little Ladies of the Night

as Russ Garfield

J.D.'s Revenge

movie

J.D.'s Revenge

1976

J.D.'s Revenge

as Rev. Elija Bliss

The River Niger

movie

The River Niger

1976

The River Niger

as Dr. Dudley Stanton

Saturday Night Live

tv

Saturday Night Live

1975

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

movie

Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

1975

Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

as Otis James

The Jeffersons

tv

The Jeffersons

1975

The Jeffersons

Black Bart

movie

Black Bart

1975

Black Bart

as Black Bart

The Rockford Files

tv

The Rockford Files

1974

The Rockford Files

as Marcus Aurelius Hayes / O'Brien

The Rockford Files

tv

The Rockford Files

1974

The Rockford Files

as Marcus Aurelius 'Gabby' Hayes

Harry O

tv

Harry O

1974

Harry O

as Cleon Jackson

Little House on the Prairie

tv

Little House on the Prairie

1974

Little House on the Prairie

as Henry Hill

Petrocelli

tv

Petrocelli

1974

Petrocelli

as Kurt Olson, DA

Petrocelli

tv

Petrocelli

1974

Petrocelli

as District Attorney Kurt Olson

The White Dawn

movie

The White Dawn

1974

The White Dawn

as Portagee

Sidekicks

movie

Sidekicks

1974

Sidekicks

as Jason O'Rourke

It's Good to Be Alive

movie

It's Good to Be Alive

1974

It's Good to Be Alive

as Sam Brockington

Good Times

tv

Good Times

1974

Good Times

The Six Million Dollar Man

tv

The Six Million Dollar Man

1974

The Six Million Dollar Man

as O'Flaherty

The Laughing Policeman

movie

The Laughing Policeman

1973

The Laughing Policeman

as Insp. James Larrimore SFPD

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

tv

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

1973

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

as Self

Police Story

tv

Police Story

1973

Police Story

Travels with My Aunt

movie

Travels with My Aunt

1972

Travels with My Aunt

as Wordsworth

The Rookies

tv

The Rookies

1972

The Rookies

Skin Game

movie

Skin Game

1971

Skin Game

as Jason O'Rourke

Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

tv

Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

1971

Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

as Lt. Carl Fellows

Alias Smith and Jones

tv

Alias Smith and Jones

1971

Alias Smith and Jones

The Partridge Family

tv

The Partridge Family

1970

The Partridge Family

as Sam Simon

The Young Rebels

tv

The Young Rebels

1970

The Young Rebels

The Landlord

movie

The Landlord

1970

The Landlord

as Copee Johnson

McCloud

tv

McCloud

1970

McCloud

Love, American Style

tv

Love, American Style

1969

Love, American Style

as Freddy

The Bill Cosby Show

tv

The Bill Cosby Show

1969

The Bill Cosby Show

as Hurricane Smith

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

tv

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

1969

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

as Dr. Karnes

The Bushbaby

movie

The Bushbaby

1969

The Bushbaby

as Tembo

Companions in Nightmare

movie

Companions in Nightmare

1968

Companions in Nightmare

as Lt. Adam McKay

The Mod Squad

tv

The Mod Squad

1968

The Mod Squad

as Smitty

The Mod Squad

tv

The Mod Squad

1968

The Mod Squad

as Lloyd

The Mod Squad

tv

The Mod Squad

1968

The Mod Squad

as Charley Jameson

Cowboy in Africa

tv

Cowboy in Africa

1967

Cowboy in Africa

as Fulah

Cowboy in Africa

tv

Cowboy in Africa

1967

Cowboy in Africa

as Joseph Hemera

The Invaders

tv

The Invaders

1967

The Invaders

as Ollie

Daktari

tv

Daktari

1966

Daktari

as Mkono

The Merv Griffin Show

tv

The Merv Griffin Show

1962

The Merv Griffin Show

as Self

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

tv

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self

The Mike Douglas Show

tv

The Mike Douglas Show

1961

The Mike Douglas Show

as Self

A Raisin in the Sun

movie

A Raisin in the Sun

1961

A Raisin in the Sun

as George Murchison

CineRaya

movie

The New Girl

1960

The New Girl

as Mary's Brother

Bonanza

tv

Bonanza

1959

Bonanza

as Buck Walter

The Oscars

tv

The Oscars

1953

The Oscars

as Self

The Ed Sullivan Show

tv

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948

The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self

Golden Globe Awards

tv

Golden Globe Awards

1944

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Nominee

Golden Globe Awards

tv

Golden Globe Awards

1944

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Audience Member

Golden Globe Awards

tv

Golden Globe Awards

1944

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Presenter

Golden Globe Awards

tv

Golden Globe Awards

1944

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Host

Golden Globe Awards

tv

Golden Globe Awards

1944

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Nominee / Presenter

CineRaya

movie

Gridiron Gang

TBA

Gridiron Gang

as Host

CineRaya

movie

Straight Up

TBA

Straight Up

as Cosmo

CineRaya

movie

Crimes of Violence

TBA

Crimes of Violence

as Self - Host

CineRaya

movie

Forget to Remember

TBA

Forget to Remember

Unplugged

movie

Unplugged

TBA

Unplugged

as Amos Burton (voice)

Louis Gossett Jr. – Biography, Movies & Updates | CineRaya