Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. (born May 27, 1936) is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his
Academy Award-winning role as
Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film
An Officer and a Gentleman, and his
Emmy Award-winning role as Fiddler in the 1977
ABC television miniseries
Roots. Gossett has also starred in numerous film productions including
A Raisin In The Sun, Skin Game,
Travels with My Aunt,
The Laughing Policeman,
The Deep,
Jaws 3-D,
Wolfgang Petersen's
Enemy Mine, the
Iron Eagle series,
Toy Soldiers and
The Punisher, in an acting career that spans over five decades.