Top 10 Most Memorable Louis Gossett Jr Performances

“A Raisin in the Sun” (1961)

Before becoming an on-screen star, Louis Gossett Jr. established himself as one of the theater’s finest actors. “A Rasin in the Sun” signified a high point of his Broadway career. For the film adaptation, Gossett reprised his role as George Murchison, making his cinematic debut. George is an educated young man, but he’s ignorant of his own heritage. Looking down on Black people who haven’t achieved the same social status as him, George is content with slowing down progress as long as it gets him ahead in life. Buried beneath George’s pompous attitude is a plethora of self-loathing, even if he doesn’t realize it. In this ensemble piece, the fresh-faced Gossett holds his own alongside fellow legends like Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee.

“The Color Purple” (2023)

We go from Gossett’s first film role to what would ultimately be the last before his passing. For much of this musical adaptation, protagonist Celie suffers at the hands of husband Mister. Learning more about Mister’s relationship with his father, though, we can see the cycle of abuse that’s been passed down from one generation to another. It isn’t until Celie stands up for herself that the cycle is broken. In his limited screen time, Gossett gives a reliably effective performance as a disgruntled old man who we may never come to like. Yet, Gossett makes Ol' Mister feel human, a quality that all of the core characters have in common. Sharing in the all-star cast’s SAG nomination, Gossett was an inspiration to his co-stars.

“In His Father’s Shoes” (1997)

Whenever an actor passes, audiences are bound to look back at some of their work through a slightly different lens. Knowing that Gossett is no longer with us, this TV movie takes on a new sentiment. Gossett plays Frank Crosby, who dies suddenly, leaving his young son Clay behind. The grieving Clay comes into possession of his father’s wingtip shoes. While wearing them, Clay travels back to his father’s upbringing. Clay also encounters his grandfather Richard, played by Gossett in a duel performance that balances sternness and sincerity. Such shoes might not exist in real life. Going through Gossett’s filmography, though, it’s like experiencing crucial chapters of his life, reflecting this Daytime Emmy-winning film’s themes of revisiting the past while looking ahead to the future.

“Diggstown” (1992)

This boxing movie succeeds thanks to the spot-on casting with James Woods as a fast-talking conman and Oliver Platt as another conman who talks before he thinks. Gossett is the film’s champion as “Honey” Roy Palmer, a boxer who’s getting up there in age. That doesn’t mean he’s past his prime. Palmer gets roped into a fight that requires him to take down ten opponents. Although Palmer is 48, Gossett plays this seasoned fighter with such a fiery spirit that you believe he can go the distance. The competition doesn’t play by the rules, but neither do our scheming heroes. A few sly tricks aside, Palmer is a force of nature who hits hard in the ring and hits even harder with his words.

“Iron Eagle” franchise (1986-95)

As far as aerial action movies from the '80s go, “Iron Eagle” admittedly didn’t reach the same heights as “Top Gun,” which came out only a few months later. They made three sequels for a reason, however. One of them is Louis Gossett Jr., who appeared in all four entries. Gossett continually stole the show as Chappy, a tough-as-nails veteran who goes from the Vietnam War to the Air Force. Even if the films themselves ranged from guilty pleasures to just plain guilty, Chappy is the most consistently entertaining element thanks to Gossett’s charisma and ability to make any line sound badass. Even at the franchise’s most absurd, Gossett brought a gravitas that made us want to salute Chappy Sinclair.

“Watchmen” (2019)

This HBO miniseries sets itself over three decades after the iconic graphic novel. In addition to exploring characters who were already well-established, the series fleshes out those who were only touched upon. Hooded Justice’s role is drastically expanded, revealing his identity as Will Reeves. Played by Jovan Adepo in flashbacks, Gossett stars as an elderly Will, who may not be able to fight like he did back in the day. He can still serve his brand of justice without getting out of his wheelchair. Even before knowing Will’s backstory, Gossett makes us feel the lifetime of pain and perseverance this man has experienced. Some of Gossett’s best scenes are with Regina King as Reeves’ granddaughter, showcasing two superheroes at the top of their acting game.

“Sadat” (1983)

Although this biographical miniseries didn’t exactly receive a ringing endorsement from Egypt, Gossett’s performance as the titular president was universally praised, earning him a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination. Clocking in at more than three hours, the show’s success largely rests on the shoulders of its lead. Gossett is more than up to the task, portraying Sadat from his youth in the military to his assassination. We feel the passage of time through Gosset’s transformative performance, watching Sadat rise from a prisoner to Egypt’s third president. Portraying Sadat as commanding yet compassionate, Gossett demonstrates how closely linked war and peace are, often requiring a leader who can traverse both. Despite getting banned in Egypt, Gossett claimed many in the Arab world still own a copy.

“Enemy Mine” (1985)

If it weren’t for the opening credits, you probably wouldn’t guess that’s Gossett hidden under that reptilian alien makeup as “Jerry,” a Drac who becomes stranded with Dennis Quaid’s Will, a human. Although they start trying to kill each other, Will and Jerry come to rely on one another - first for survival and eventually for companionship. The setup is familiar, but the two central performances amount to a surprisingly effective story of enemies turned friends. Gossett is especially powerful in a role that could’ve come off as too silly in so many ways. Yet, Gossett completely escapes into the character, making us shed a tear for Jerry by his final scene. It may be sci-fi, but the acting embodies real-world parallels of prejudice and acceptance.

“Roots” (1977)

Gossett was initially reluctant to star in this groundbreaking miniseries, interpreting Fiddler as an “Uncle Tom.” Researching the character changed Gossett’s whole perspective. A house slave tasked with looking after the recently captured Kunta Kinte, Fiddler believes that he’s etched out the best position possible for himself given the circumstances. He doesn’t want Kunta making any trouble for him. Seeing Kunta’s unbreakable spirit, Fiddler realizes that he hasn’t been living. He’s only been surviving, and that’s sadly the most he can ever hope for. Fiddler might not live to see slavery end, only achieving freedom in death. By mentoring and nurturing Kunta, though, future generations may prosper. Although nominated against four of his co-stars at the Emmys, Gossett emerged victorious for his deeply empathetic performance.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Gerak, “Stargate SG-1” (1997-2007)
Finding Humanity In Another Outlandish Character

Dean Parker, “Toy Soldiers” (1991)
Another Reason Why Nobody Played Authority Figures Like Gossett

Jake Phillips, “The Principal” (1987)
A Security Guard Who Treats the School Halls Like a Warzone

Willie, “Daddy’s Little Girls” (2007)
Gossett Shines in a Sentimental Supporting Role

Sidney Williams, “The Josephine Baker Story” (1991)
Gossett Won Another Golden Globe For Portraying This Civil Rights Activist

“An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982)

From the second this drill sergeant lays eyes on Richard Gere’s Zack Mayo, he doesn’t see the makings of an officer. Foley isn’t satisfied with simply dismissing Zack, however. When given a reason, Foley seeks to break Zack, pushing him to his limits. Finding that he has nowhere else to go, Zack earns Foley’s sympathy and in time, his respect. In what could’ve been a one-note performance, Gossett developed Foley into a surprisingly layered authority figure. He’s no-nonsense while scoring some of the film’s most humous lines. He lives by the rules, but there’s a human behind that uniform and strict demeanor. For his arresting work, Gossett made history as the first Black man to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

What’s your favorite Louis Gossett Jr. performance? Let’s remember him in the comments.