RIP Louis Gossett Jr.

[UNCGrad]

I always love seeing working actors - supporting actors - not really "stars" - but people that do TV - character parts in movies - suddenly get a great role that really shows what they can do. He was doing it for a good 15 years before Roots came along - and had a great run after that.

I love this kind of thing so much. The job is so, so hard, contingent on so many things, including writing and direction. But I love when an actor you never thought a third second about does something magical. That's when you see it. There is so much craft and ability and talent that sometimes needs the perfect moment to shine.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

It's funny. Gossett played many memorable parts, but I was perhaps most impressed by his work in SF B movie called "Enemy Mine". He played an alien space fighter pilot opposite Dennis Quaid. They had fought and both fighters were so damaged that they both crashed on an alien planet. They wound up depending on each other to survive and eventually respected each other and became friends.

Gossett, under about fifteen pounds of latex rubber and makeup, brought the character to life. He studied birds and patterned the way his character moved on their movements. He did these weird vocalizations and trills as language. His character laid an egg and he brought a motherly feel to that development. Considering what he had to work with, both script and special effects, it was an amazing performance. It's an odd thing to remember him for after all these years, but my son loved the movie and I saw it repeatedly when he was young, and it stuck with me.

He was the first Black man to earn a Best Supporting Oscar. A fine actor to his rest.

Enemy Mine was the first film I thought of as well when I heard this news. I believe he was the first man to play someone giving birth on film. The second thing I thought of was "The Powers of Matthew Star," a silly sci-fi series that lasted a season on NBC. He played the mentor of the titular character, played by Peter Barton (!!!). To back up the points made by Dan and UNC, much respect for working actors who grind and grind and finally get the reward. RIP.

 

[garrow]

Oh I had completely forgotten about Enemy Mine!

 

[Liut]

The Deep comes to mind. Him and Miss. Bisset. Well, Nolte too.
RIP

 

[BTExpress]

For some reason the first thing I always think about when hearing his name is his line from The Deep:

"If his tongue moves again, cut it!"

 

[Neutral Corner]

But mostly Jacqueline Bisset diving in a white t-shirt.