Hollywood and fans around the world lost an absolute legend in the business last week.

According to Hollywood Reporter, famed actor Louis Gossett Jr., star of "An Officer and a Gentleman," and the award-winning miniseries "Roots," died at 87.

A close family member confirmed that Gossett Jr. died in Santa Monica, though no cause of death was revealed in the statement.

It was noted that the iconic actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, though it's unclear if that played a role in his death.

Stellar career

His family released a statement to the outlet, saying, "It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning. We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult."

Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots,” died on Thursday night. He was 87. https://t.co/mZCGsUe5Jw

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 30, 2024

Gossett Jr. was known for his roles as intimidating characters, given his build and demeanor, but was always described as a class-act kind of guy off and on the set.

The Hollywood Reporter noted:

With his sleek, bald pate and athlete’s physique, Gossett was intimidating in a wide array of no-nonsense roles, most notably in Taylor Hackford’s Officer and a Gentleman (1982), where as Gunnery Sgt. Emil Foley he rides Richard Gere’s character mercilessly (but for his own good) at an officer candidate school and gets into a memorable martial arts fight.

Next to icon Sidney Poitier, Gossett Jr. was the second Black male actor to win an Oscar.

The outlet added:

During his 60-year-plus career, Gossett excelled in a number of non-stereotypical racial roles, playing a hospital chief of staff on the 1979 ABC series The Lazarus Syndrome and the title character Gideon Oliver, an anthropology professor, on a 1989 set of ABC Mystery Movies.

Tributes pour in

Given his iconic status in the business, tributes poured in across social media.

"Farewell to the incredible Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. What a remarkable performance he gave in An Officer and a Gentleman, and what a legacy this great actor has left us," one X user wrote. 

Another X user wrote, "An absolutely spectacular performance in An Officer and a Gentleman. A true powerhouse!"

"I watched this film again tonight and I forgot how incredible it is. And Mr. Gossett Jr. was outstanding in it. One of the best Oscar wins," another user wrote.