Actor Louis Gossett Jr. introduces Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Indian Wells. (Richard Lui The Desert Sun)
Desert Town Hall-Indian Wells speakers series is in its 17th season bringing famous leaders, writers and icons to the Coachella Valley. Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize 25 years ago, was widely viewed as a guiding force along with Nelson Mandela in bringing an end some 15 years ago to the apartheid system that had long persecuted South Africa’s blacks. Tutu spoke out against the racial injustice, calling for economic sanctions against his home country. He rose to become one of its key voices of conscience.
Mr. Gossett was honored to introduce Archbishop Tutu at this prestigious event. Among the things Tutu talked about was the election of President Barack Obama. “That you could choose for your president a man who is part African what an unbelievable thing,” he said.
Read the full story at mydesert.com and watch the video below!
Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. receives the Maverick Spirit Award duirng the 19th Cinequest Film Festival at the California Theater on March 3, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo Courtesy Black News Tribune)
Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. will deliver Wheelock College’s 2009 Commencement address on May 15, 2009.
In 1983, Gossett won an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman. In 2006, Gossett launched the Eracism Foundation, with the aim of developing and producing entertainment that brings awareness and education to issues such as racism, ignorance, and societal apathy.
Gossett, along with Howard Gardner, Ph.D., and Margot Stern Strom, will receive an honorary degree from the College during the ceremony.
Mr. Gossett was recently on ER and was interviewed about the episode. Unfortunately, we can’t carry the interview directly, but you can click here to watch it on YouTube.
Season: 15
Episode: 15
Title: The Family Man
Release Date: February 12, 2009
Genre: Drama
Cast: Linda Cardellini, John Stamos, Scott Grimes, David Lyons, Angela Bassett, Parminder Nagra, Louis Gossett Jr. (guest star)
Studio: NBC
A car accident in the ambulance bay leaves a mother severely injured and in need of hip surgery. Brenner (David Lyons) struggles to find a willing family member to take care of the young daughter. Morris (Scott Grimes) gets frustrated when a 78 year-old-man comes into the ER in need of an MRI but the insurance company won’t cover the costs. Meanwhile, Neela (Parminder Nagra) shocks Brenner when she lets him know about her offer in North Carolina.
Photo Courtesy The Wave Magazine and Chris Schmauch - http://www.goodeyephotography.com/
The Wave Magazine sat down with Mr. Gossett and debut director, writer and producer Mark Young to discuss their new film, The Least Among You, premiering at Cinequest 19. The film is based on a true story about a teenager who is unjustly arrested during the 1965 Watts riot. As part of his probation, Richard Kelly (played by Cedric Sanders), is forced into an all-white seminary that is rife with corruption and bigotry. He soon meets Samuel Benton (played by Gossett), who becomes an ally and mentor in his struggles with both subtle and outright racism.
Read the full article here. Get more information on The Least Among You at the official website.
As Black History Month continues, TV One, which has dubbed February “Our History Month,” will premiere “Let Freedom Sing: How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement.” Narrated by Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr., this two-hour documentary, airing at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, chronicles how “the power of lyrics and songs helped move a nation during the most turbulent days of the 20th century.”
Louis Gossett, Jr accepts his Academy Award for An Officer and a Gentleman
ABC News recently interviewed Mr. Gossett for both an article and a TV spot that looks at Oscar winners and their resulting careers.
From the article:
“People say you’re going to win another one — one day. That’s not really why I do it these days. I look at the challenge of a part and put all of myself into it and say goodbye. It’s for people to watch,” said Gossett.
BlackVoices featured Mr. Gossett in an article about Life After The Oscars.
BlackVoices.com is a premiere site for African-American culture and community. It offers African-American message boards, profiles and chats, African-American sports, African-American news, African-American entertainment, African-American style and beauty, relationship advice and more.
Please join film fans and artists for a powerful screening of The Least Among You and an extraordinary evening with the legendary Louis Gossett, Jr. Screening and Award Presentation occurs Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:00pm at the California Theatre.
With a commanding height of 6’4” and a flair for projecting quiet authority, Louis Gossett, Jr. ranks as one of the most respected African-American actors of stage, screen, and television. Known for choosing diverse and challenging roles, his effortless brilliance translates immediately, whether as a landlord, an officer or even as an alien.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Grason
Tel: 770.367.8378
email: info@youthofhonor.org
January 30, 2009
Actors Louis Gossett Jr. and Raven-Symone Provide YOHCAST Inte rviews to Inspire Youth
Atlanta, GA – The Youth of Honor Foundation was thril led to have been given the opportunity to be blessed with words of encour agement from Legendary Academy Award Winning Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. and Trumpet Pinnacle Award Winner, Singer, Dancer, and Actress Raven-Symone. In taped interviews this past weekend, while in Atlanta for the 2009 Tru mpet Awards, these two individuals shared their take on GETTING Y OH JUMP ON LIFE. ‘True happiness lies in helping people, and you don’t have to follow people going down the wrong path,’ said Raven. ‘Don ‘t do the wrong thing to justify yourself, you’re wasting your life.’ Ms. Symone has spent her entire life growing up in front of our eyes on The Cosby Show and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. She keeps her family around her a nd people who tell her the truth. She encourages everyone to ’see the goo d in mentors to help you be a better you.’
Mr. Gossett echoes that sentiment. He is certainly no stranger to drea ming big and living out that dream. With numerous blockbuster movie credi ts such as An Officer and a Gentleman and Tyler Perry’s 2007 Movie Daddy’ s Little Girls, Mr. Gossett is the true epitome of success. ‘You must hav e a roadmap for success,’ he said. ‘Man is subject to disappointment. The re are no more excuses guys. We have a new President. He is our new role model.’
You can tune into both YOHCAST interviews in their entirety one of two ways: You can view them directly on our homepage at http://www.youtho fhonor.org/ or you can visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/yohcast We encourage you to even post a comment on our YouTube si te to be shared with youth around the world. Let’s face it. President Bar ack Obama has said it time and again throughout his campaign and even aft er he gave his oath of office on that monumental, historic Inauguration D ay, January 20th. He made it clear that ‘Change will come,’ but only afte r we join together and do our part. What better echo of his sentiments th an to have two generational trailblazers, Raven-Symone and Louis Gossett, Jr. simultaneously offering their messages of inspiration to today’s you th and future generations.
