Louis Gossett Jr., the trailblazing actor and the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, has passed away at the age of 87. His nephew confirmed to that Gossett Jr. died on Thursday in Santa Monica.

Gossett Jr.’s illustrious career spanned decades, marked by both commercial success and critical acclaim. Louis Gossett Jr.’s legacy as a pioneering actor and activist will continue to inspire future generations in the entertainment industry and beyond.

He rose to prominence with his iconic portrayal of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman”. This is role earned him an Academy Award and made history as the first Black man to win in the supporting actor category.

Gossett Jr. left an indelible mark on Hollywood with his performances in films like “Enemy Mine” and “Iron Eagle”. He also made waves on the small screen, winning an Emmy for his role in the groundbreaking TV miniseries “Roots.”

 Gossett Jr. received numerous Emmy nominations for his versatile performances, including portrayals of real-life figures such as Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. The late actor continued to impress audiences with memorable guest appearances on shows like HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”

Beyond his acting talents, Gossett Jr. was a dedicated advocate for social change. In 2006, he founded the Eracism Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to combating racism through cultural diversity initiatives, education, and anti-violence programs.