जीवनी

He was cast in his Oscar-winning role in Kk Adhikaaree Aur Ek Jentalamain (1982) after Jack Nicholson turned down the role, and none of the other actors who the producers wanted proved available at the time. Screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart then did research on a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida and found out the top drill instructors they had there were African-American. Upon realizing this, Gossett was cast in what can now arguably be his best remembered role.

Was originally cast as Gale Sayers in the television movie Brian's Song (1971). Just days before shooting began, Gossett tore his Achilles' tendon while working out for the film. The studio execs scrambled and quickly hired Billy Dee Williams as a replacement. Gossett, depressed over missing his "shot", was promised by producer David L. Wolper the first great role that came along. About six years later, Wolper called Gossett to play Fiddler in Roots (1977), the Emmy Award-winning role that made him a star.

Gossett was drafted by the New York Knickerbockers.

His foundation, Eracism, is devoted to eradicating racism.

Was named "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1990.

If a role isn't different, it's not worth doing.

When I'm offered a role, I look at what I think I can do with it. I look to see if I can project myself into it.

I can do more than anyone suspects. I pride myself on my versatility. It took 32 years of difficult parts, second leads, villains and juveniles. The Oscar changed the quality of the roles I was being offered.

The Lord may not come when you want Him, but he's always going to be there on time.

[2010, on filming दुश्मन की खान (1985)] That was a challenge. I prefer a challenge, because when you've done that, you've done something. That was something where nobody could see my face or my eyes; I was giving somebody a performance through that makeup. That was six months in Germany. A lot of pain in the eyes and stuff.