Louis Gossett Jr.

Acting • 218 Credits

Biography

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 that spanned over five decades.

🎬 Directed Titles (2)

Directorial Filmography
The Powers of Matthew Star

The Powers of Matthew Star

1982 ⭐ 2.8
Love Songs

Love Songs

1999 ⭐ 4.3

🎭 Acting Roles (30)

Ranked by Prestige & Popularity
Family Guy

Family Guy

1999 ⭐ 3.7
as Drill Sargent (voice)
Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1

1997 ⭐ 4.1
as Gerak
Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0

2010 ⭐ 3.9
as Lou's father
IF

IF

2024 ⭐ 3.5
as Lewis (voice)
Watchmen

Watchmen

2019 ⭐ 3.8
as Old Man / Will Reeves
Jaws 3-D

Jaws 3-D

1983 ⭐ 2.2
as Calvin Bouchard
An Officer and a Gentleman

An Officer and a Gentleman

1982 ⭐ 3.5
as Sergeant Emil Foley
Enemy Mine

Enemy Mine

1985 ⭐ 3.5
as Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan
Psych

Psych

2006 ⭐ 3.9
as Lloyd Marr
Little House on the Prairie

Little House on the Prairie

1974 ⭐ 4.0
as Henry Hill
ER

ER

1994 ⭐ 3.9
as Leo Malcolm
The Punisher

The Punisher

1989 ⭐ 2.9
as Jake Berkowitz
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975 ⭐ 3.4
as Self - Host
The Batman

The Batman

2004 ⭐ 4.0
as Lucius Fox (voice)
Bonanza

Bonanza

1959 ⭐ 3.8
as Buck Walter
The Six Million Dollar Man

The Six Million Dollar Man

1974 ⭐ 3.6
as O'Flaherty
Toy Soldiers

Toy Soldiers

1991 ⭐ 3.3
as Dean Parker
The Color Purple

The Color Purple

2023 ⭐ 3.5
as Ol' Mister
Extant

Extant

2014 ⭐ 3.2
as Quinn
Iron Eagle

Iron Eagle

1986 ⭐ 2.8
as Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair
The Good Fight

The Good Fight

2017 ⭐ 3.8
as Carl Reddick
Madam Secretary

Madam Secretary

2014 ⭐ 3.5
as Laurent Vasseur
Hercules

Hercules

1998 ⭐ 3.5
as Chiron (voice)
The Principal

The Principal

1987 ⭐ 3.2
as Jake Phillips
The Deep

The Deep

1977 ⭐ 3.0
as Henri Cloche
Captain Planet and the Planeteers

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

1990 ⭐ 3.5
as Commander Clash (voice)
Roots

Roots

1977 ⭐ 3.7
as Fiddler
Firewalker

Firewalker

1986 ⭐ 2.6
as Leo Porter
Blue Chips

Blue Chips

1994 ⭐ 3.1
as Father Dawkins (uncredited)
The Perfect Game

The Perfect Game

2009 ⭐ 3.7
as Cool Papa Bell