Colman Domingo and Taylor Hackford are some paying tribute to Louis Gossett Jr. after death at 87
Fellow actors and famous fans are paying tribute to Louis Gossett Jr. after his death at age 87
Famous fans and co-stars react to the death of Louis Gossett Jr., who died at 87.
“He was open and generous. Kind beyond measure. Regal. We owe so much to him. What a monumental life he lived.” — Colman Domingo, Gossett's co-star in “The Color Purple,” on X.
“The role of Master Sergeant Foley in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ was written as a white man. When I visited the Navy Officers Flight Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, I discovered that many of the drill Instructors there were men of color. At that moment I changed the casting profile for Sergeant Foley. Lou Gossett came to see me. He told me he'd served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger, so in addition to being an accomplished actor, he knew military life — I hired him on the spot. Lou Gossett's Sergeant Foley may have been the first Black character in American cinema to have absolute authority over white characters. The Academy recognized his consummate performance by voting him an Oscar for best supporting actor. He definitely deserved it." — Taylor Hackford, who directed “An Officer and a Gentleman,” in a statement.
“One of the great American actors of our generation. A personal hero.” — Actor Wendell Pierce on X.
