Remembering the Legendary Louis Gossett Jr. and Showcasing George Montgomery's Artistic Legacy

Louis Gossett Jr., a legendary Black actor and filmmaker, has passed away at the age of 87. Gossett, known for his commanding roles in TV and film, won an Academy Award for his role as a Marine drill instructor in 'An Officer and a Gentleman' and an Emmy Award for his role in the miniseries 'Roots.' Despite his success, he faced challenges in Hollywood due to age, race, and personal struggles with addiction. Gossett's career spanned nearly seven decades, and he was recognized as one of the most recognizable actors of his generation [3436b7d1].

In a heartfelt tribute, author Wil Haygood shares his personal connection to Gossett as his cousin. Haygood recounts their family history, highlighting how Gossett was part of a small group of Black actors who endured in the industry. Gossett's notable roles include Fiddler in the TV miniseries 'Roots' and a drill sergeant in 'An Officer and a Gentleman.' Haygood was inspired by Gossett to pursue acting and eventually became a journalist and book writer [868f3496].

Haygood and Gossett had exchanged notes over the years, and when Haygood started working on a book about the history of Blacks in Hollywood, he visited Gossett at his home in Georgia. During their visit, they reminisced about their childhood and Gossett shared stories about his career, including his experiences with other Black actors and the impact of 'Roots' [868f3496].

Gossett's latest project was the movie musical version of 'The Color Purple,' set to be released in 2023. Colman Domingo, a costar of Gossett in the film, recalls their emotional moments on set. Domingo thanked Gossett for his influence and referred to him as 'Daddy' during filming. Gossett brought years of experience, intelligence, humor, light, and love to the set. Other actors who paid tribute to Gossett include Fantasia Barrino and David Alan Grier [ae80ce41].

Gossett battled prostate cancer and respiratory illness caused by toxic mold in recent years. He passed away in Santa Monica, California. The article serves as a personal tribute to Gossett and highlights his contributions to the entertainment industry [3436b7d1].

Montana-born actor and artist George Montgomery, known for his work in Hollywood Western films, is showcased at the Cascade County Historical Society. Montgomery's sculptures, created in his second year of sculpting, have gained significant recognition. He was born and raised in Montana, developing a deep appreciation for Western life. After a successful acting career, Montgomery turned his attention to art and began sculpting. His pieces, including a sculpture of Custer's final moments, were donated to the History Museum by Anne Lindbergh and her sister. Montgomery died in 2000 at the age of 84. The exhibit featuring his sculptures opens on July 13th at the Cascade County Historical Society in Great Falls [b7d98f81].

In a recent interview, George Stevens Jr., a renowned filmmaker and son of the legendary director George Stevens, discussed his father's legacy and working philosophy in filmmaking. Stevens Jr. learned the craft by visiting his father's movie sets as a child and later worked as a P.A. and associate producer on his father's films. He went on to direct episodes of television series and produce documentary pieces. Stevens Jr. co-founded the American Film Institute in 1967 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978. He has received numerous awards for his work, including Primetime Emmys and Writers Guild of America Awards. Stevens Jr. has also written a memoir titled 'My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington' [e9c8386a].