Conversations with Louis Gossett, Jr. (2015)

<p>Career Q&amp;A with Louis Gossett, Jr. on June 15, 2015. &nbsp;Moderated by Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood.</p> <p>Award winning actor, Louis Gossett Jr. is recognized as one of the most respected and beloved actors on stage, screen and television. Off screen, he has spent his life as a social activist, educator, film producer and author trying to educate and enrich the lives of those around him.</p> <p>Among Gossett’s many accolades are an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series for his portrayal of Fiddler in the historically groundbreaking ABC series “Roots” and a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for “The Josephine Baker Story.”</p> <p>In 1983, Gossett was the first African–American male to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as drill Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”</p> <p>Gossett’s recent work includes “Book of Negroes," BET's six-part miniseries that follows a West African woman's long search for freedom after she is sold into slavery around the time of the American Revolution. The historical drama was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Limited Series.</p> <p>Gossett is currently guest starring as Halle Berry’s father on the hit CBS television series “Extant,” which returns for a second season Summer 2015.</p> <p>Previous films include, ”A Raisin in the Sun,” “The Deep,” “Skin Game” “Daddy’s Little Girl’s,” “The Grace Card,” “Enemy Mine,” “Iron Eagle 1-4” and “Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige” among many others.</p> <p>At age 17 Gossett won the prestigious Donaldson Award as the year’s best newcomer for the Broadway production of, “Take A Giant Step.”</p> <p>Gossett is recognized as much for his humanitarian efforts as he is for his accomplishments as an actor. In 2006, Gossett founded The Eracism Foundation which is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to abolishing racism, viol