American stage, screen, and television actor. In 1983 Gossett received an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of tough-hearted drill sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982).

Gossett turned to acting as a teenager after an injury temporarily prevented him from playing basketball. He made his Broadway debut in Take a Giant Step (1953) and received the Donaldson Award for best newcomer of the year. He received a basketball scholarship to New York University and continued to take acting jobs while enrolled in school. After college he played briefly for the New York Knicks professional basketball team before fully dedicating himself to acting as a career. He was part of the original stage cast of A Raisin in the Sun (1959) and appeared in the 1961 film version as well. He won an Emmy Award for his performance in the television miniseries Roots (1977). He continued to work in television and films into the 21st century.