1936-2024 LOUIS GOSSETT JR. A True Trailblazer

THE OSCAR WINNER BROKE DOWN BARRIERS WITH POWERFUL ROLES THAT CHANGED TV AND FILM FOREVER

- JANINE RUBENSTEIN

Just as he approached his roles for more than 70 years, Louis Gossett Jr. was prepared, maybe even a bit excited, for his next act. "I'm not afraid to die and of going to heaven," Gossett told People in January. "I know they're having some great concerts up there; my heroes and heroines are up there. After we make that transition, I think it's going to be a great time."

Gossett, who costarred in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries Roots and became the first Black person to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, for his role as a tough Marine drill instructor in 1982's An Officer and a Gentleman, died in Santa Monica on March 29 at age 87. According to a statement released by his family, he had been battling an undisclosed, prolonged illness. "He fought a good battle, and he showed us the way," his friend and Roots costar Ben Vereen told People shortly after the news broke. "We must celebrate that life, not mourn that life. I'm sitting in gratitude today."