“Iconic Actor Louis Gossett Jr., Celebrated for Roles in ‘Iron Eagle’ and ‘The Punisher,’ Passes Away at 87”

Yet Another Pillar of Film and Television Departs: Louis Gossett Jr., Renowned Oscar and Emmy Winner, Recognized for Roles in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and the Classic ‘Roots’ Miniseries, Passes Away.

At the age of 87, Gossett passed away in Santa Monica, California, on Friday morning, the cause undisclosed, as reported by The Associated Press and confirmed by his family.

“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces, and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” his cousin Neal L. Gossett said to the AP.

Recognized for his activism and impactful supporting roles, Louis Gossett Jr. described his Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” as “a significant affirmation of my standing as a Black actor” in his memoir, aptly named “An Actor and a Gentleman,” published in 2010.

Nevertheless, Gossett embraced a wide array of roles, particularly during the 1980s, and is fondly remembered by fans for his memorable performances in cult classic movies like “Iron Eagle,” its sequels, and “Enemy Mine.”

In numerous cases, like that of “Enemy Mine,” these films would struggle in theaters but later gain a dedicated audience through home video releases or airings on cable television.

He was also involved — and what many regard as a standout — in Marvel’s ambitious yet unsuccessful endeavor to transform “The Punisher” into an action franchise, featuring Dolph Lundgren as the lead. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, the film eventually garnered a following, much like many of Gossett’s other works.

He returned to the realm of superhero storytelling in the HBO sequel adaptation of Alan Moore’s “Watchmen,” which stayed closer to the source material of the graphic novel than the 2009 film.

Portraying the elderly retired cop Will Reeves, also known as Hooded Justice, he shared the screen with a diverse ensemble cast including Don Johnson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Irons, and Regina King. His last acting role was in the 2023 rendition of “The Color Purple.”

Gossett emerged as a dependable character actor renowned for his willingness to tackle any role, consistently delivering captivating performances across various genres.