Louis Gossett Jr., who won a supporting actor Oscar for playing the hard-as-nails drill instructor in 1982’s “An Officer and a Gentleman” a few years after winning an Emmy for his role as the cunning Fiddler in “Roots,” died early Friday morning. He was 87. Gossett’s family announced his death in a statement, writing: “It …
Here’s more via TMZ:
Hospital staff begged him to stay given his age and underlying conditions including cancer but Louis was determined to leave, and he did. He checked out Tuesday.
Louis best known for his award-winning roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and on “Roots” tells TMZ and everyone else, “Please wear masks, social distance, isolate, pray and listen within. We cannot survive without one another.”
Louis is now at home with his son … and he is isolating.
He’s recovering at home now, but he’s not out of the woods by a long shot. His friends and family are asking for personal messages of healing and love #LoveLettertToLou.