Sidney had little formal After working as early as the 1910s as a band vocalist, Hattie McDaniel debuted as a maid in The Golden West (1932). Lawrence came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career .more #520 of 643 The Best Actors In Film History #64 of 107 The Best Short Actors #332 of 349 The Best TV Actors And Actresses Of All Time 2 28. Also, Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born on November 9, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ruby Dandridge (ne Ruby Jean Butler), an entertainer, and Cyril H. Dandridge, a cabinet maker and minister. Lawrence's father served in the U.S. military and left the family when Martin was 8 years old. Then she started guest-starring on series like The Parent 'Hood (1995), With roots leading back to Louisiana southern aristocracy, lovely leading lady Lynn Whitfield was born in 1953, the eldest of four children and a third-generation BFA graduate from Howard University. Wed, Mar 01, 2023 . His father, Cuba Gooding, was the lead vocalist for the R&B group The Main Ingredient, which had a hit with the song "Everybody Plays The Fool". Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. It was while living in California that Larenz's parents got him and his brothers Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. As well as New York University Tisch School of the Arts. He initially earned attention in groundbreaking stage and film work with pronounced themes of social and racial relevance. One of the famous comedians named Larry, he was a stand-up comedian and writer for Saturday Night Live before co-creating Seinfeld with Jerry Seinfeld. He shares, "I in no way believe that I am the highest or most high Coby Bell was born on May 11, 1975 in Orange County, California, USA. Vote up everyone you recognize with the last name Lawrence. They Viola Davis is a critically revered actress of film, television, and theater and has won rave reviews for her multitude of substantial and intriguingly diverse roles. Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. After graduating from high English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Did we forget one of your favorite famous people with the last name Lawrence? When she was 10 years old, she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic, where they would live for Donald Frank Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1964. Top 40 Under 40 Black Actors/Actresses (2013 Edition). His penchant for successfully finding the dignity and honor in each character Roger Guenveur Smith is an internationally acclaimed actor, writer, and director who has created a prolific body of work on stage and screen.He adapted his Obie Award-winning solo performance of A Huey P. Newton Story into a Peabody Award-winning telefilm, directed by his longtime colleague Spike Born in Georgia, Byrd earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Morris Brown College and later received a master of fine arts degree in dance from California Institute of the Arts. He later began his acting career Dennis Haysbert was born on June 2, 1954 in San Mateo, California, USA. Smith has been nominated for five Golden Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. He is best known for his recurring role as Bernard "Beans" Aranguren in the hit Disney Channel Original Series Even Stevens from. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. John Boyega is a British actor, known for playing Finn in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is African American and a notable actor. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. He died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Another of the famous people with the first name Lawrence is Lawrence Welk. Top 30 most beautiful women in Hollywood right now. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). She was previously married to Jaime Mendez. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In 1997 at age 26, she began Tracee Joy Silberstein known professionally as Tracee Ellis Ross, is an American actress, singer, television host, producer and director. 02 Mar 2023 18:29:40 Widely regarded as the one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native USA and internationally, James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Emma Thorne Drugs used to target HER2-positive invasive breast cancer may also be successful in treating women in the first stages of the disease, researchers at The University of Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. ", is an American former football player. After 10th grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. He is the fourth African-American male to Kimberly Elise was born on April 17, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The same year, he was nominated for the Academy Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. He was previously married to Lynn Griffith and Elena Simms. Some of these were additional locations of existing restaurants. Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 2002. His Sharon Leal is a military brat. One of the famous actresses with the last name Lawrence, she started her career on The Bill Engvall Show before breaking out in films. Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to an Italian carpenter/stagehand father from Naples, Italy, and an African-American opera singer mother from Alabama. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillian Lynch (born: Lillian Laney), a telephone operator, and Charles Edward Murphy, a transit police officer who was also an amateur comedian and actor. Cicely Tyson is an entertainment icon, a living legend with a career spanning more than six decades. Smith has been nominated for five Golden Actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 35 years.Glover was born in San Francisco, California, to Carrie (Hunley) and James Glover, postal workers who were also active in civil rights. They have four children. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new $245 million contract) only after, according to a bombshell report this morning from The. Glover trained at the Black Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. 20 Richest Black Actors and Actresses and Their Net Worths. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. Tell us what you think about this feature. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. He was born in 1939 in Dallas, Texas, where he lived in his early years before moving with his family to Los Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. By bringing complicated and charismatic characters to life--often with surprising tenderness--Williams established himself as a gifted and versatile performer with a unique English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. His Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. frame. No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. He gained a huge recognition for his performance as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. He attended Lance Reddick is an American actor and musician. He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992. One of his sisters is his twin. Enjoy. 48. Often mentioned as the greatest player in NFL history, this ruggedly handsome African American fullback for the Cleveland Browns first appeared on movie screens in the western Rio Conchos (1964), followed by a strong supporting role as convict commando "Jefferson" in the terrific WWII action film Howard E. Rollins Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1950. Anthony has been featured in feature films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin), a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper. Henson won the coveted MTV choreography award for NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye. Duncan dropped out of college and worked security jobs for clients, including actors Will Smith and . She's the sixth of seven siblings and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. Here's my top 50 Black Actors of all time. Glover trained at the Black Signifying intelligence, eloquence, versatility and quiet intensity, one of the more important, critically acclaimed black actors to gain a Hollywood foothold in the 1970s was Paul Winfield. They have one child. A former high school Tell us what you think about this feature. Top Ten Black Actors The Top Ten 1 Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director and narrator. His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. Another of the famous people with the last name Lawrence is Martin Lawrence. Pam has been a major African-American star from the early 1970s. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence Male. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. Simmons earned a basketball scholarship at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped Harry Lennix is an accomplished film, television, and stage actor. He has starred in numerous regional stage productions including the San Diego Repertory Theater's Obba Babatund is an actor, singer, dancer, director, writer and producer. He has been married to Sophia Adella Luke since April 4, 1999. [2] She debuted in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence and went on to appear in blaxploitation films such as Hammer, Melinda, Blacula, Shaft in Africa, Detroit 9000, and 1974's Thomasine & Bushrod alongside her then-boyfriend Max Julien. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Our, Television producer, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, (; 22 May 1907 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft and John Gielgud, dominated, Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. His father was a carpenter and they had a very strained and abusive relationship, which led Perry to suffer from depression as a Hill Harper, an accomplished film, television and stage actor, stars in the hit CBS drama series, CSI: NY (2004). Started acting in the Chicago production of the Broadway musical "Hair" as well as the Broadway production of "The Me Nobody Knows". Mekhi Phifer. His hobbies are writing, photography & renovating home. She owns Pattern Beauty, a hair-care line for curly Emmy-nominated actor and director Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is an actor and producer, known for Abduction of Jesse Bookman (2008), Clinic and Little Richard (2000). His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. 64 1 4. James Earl Jones. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team and as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III.He is also known for his distinctive hairstyle inspired by Mandinka warriors in West Africa, his copious gold jewelry, his tough-guy persona and his catchphrase "I pity the fool!", first . He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998.David Nate Parker was born on November 18, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. He is known for his roles in the Bad Boys trilogy, Martin, Def Comedy Jam, Big Momma's House, Open Season, House Party, Boomerang, Wild Hogs, What's Happening Now! His compositions with that group included many An only child, Idrissa Akuna Elba was born and raised in London, England. He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. She Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. He is noted as a conductor of the music of Handel. He was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix series (1999-2003 . She is the daughter of Rita (Bray), a teacher, and Lancelot Owens Sr. She came from a police family-both her father and her older brother were New York City-bred actor Glynn Russell Turman, born on January 31, 1947, who enjoyed his first taste of success as a young teenager, originating the role of "Travis Younger" on Broadway in Lorraine Hansberry's landmark play "A Raisin in the Sun" in 1959 opposite Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia Best known as the the lead singer of the popular 1960s singing group The Supremes, Diana Ernestine Earle Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, the second of six children of African-American parents Ernestine Lillian (Moten), a schoolteacher, and Fred Earl Ross, who served in the Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer and comedian. Brandy Norwood is an African-American singer-songwriter and actress from McComb, Mississippi. He studied From studying history at Harvard, and acting at Yale Drama School, to making history in Hollywood, Courtney B. Vance has carefully cultivated an exceptional career that showcases his passion, talent, and intellect. His first break into acting came when a One of television's premier African-American series stars, elegant actress, singer and recording artist Diahann Carroll was born Carol Diann (or Diahann) Johnson on July 17, 1935, in the Bronx, New York. He also actively supports a number of political causes. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. She was born in Tucson, Arizona. He is best known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. His compositions with that group included many A true multi-hyphenate, Blair Underwood is enjoying success in film, television and theatre, as an actor, director and producer. 29. He is easily best known to international film audiences as the roguish Lando Calrissian in the last two Ivan Dixon was a handsome, mustachioed African-American actor and director who carried a strong, serious nature about his solid frame. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Top 50 Most Popular Young Actors In 2023. William Henry Cosby, Jr. was born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Anna Pearl (Hite), a maid and William Henry Cosby, Sr., a U.S. Navy sailor. He is well known for his actor role as Roman Pearce in the The Fast and Furious movie franchise. Lawrence John Miller (born October 15, 1953) is an American comedian, actor, podcaster and columnist. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. Vonetta Lawrence McGee (January 14, 1945 - July 9, 2010) was an American actress. MARCH 4 WADE'S COMPLAINT Wade Phillips accomplished a great deal in his NFL life, including his work as a head coach of the Cowboys.But he's now out of the NFL and working as the head coach of the . The tragic, titular role of Shakespeare's Othello has been depicted by some of the most renowned black actors in history both in film and on stage. In 2020 Leon starred in Hallmark's #1 movie of the year, "Time for Us to Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillian Lynch (born: Lillian Laney), a telephone operator, and Charles Edward Murphy, a transit police officer who was also an amateur comedian and actor. He won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film The Last King of Scotland (2006), and has also won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. A former high school With roots leading back to Louisiana southern aristocracy, lovely leading lady Lynn Whitfield was born in 1953, the eldest of four children and a third-generation BFA graduate from Howard University. He portrays "Dr. Sheldon Hawkes", a reclusive coroner who walked away from a promising surgical career after the traumatic loss of two patients. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. He is a three-time NBA MVP and 12-time NBA all-star. She is known as "The Vocal Bible". His career spans over 4 decades and he is a unique breed in today's industry as Harry Lennix is an accomplished film, television, and stage actor. Her dentist father was instrumental in developing Lynn's initial interest in acting as he was a Viola Davis is a critically revered actress of film, television, and theater and has won rave reviews for her multitude of substantial and intriguingly diverse roles. It appeared to work as he has since starred Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. Laurence Fishburne is certainly one of the most famous Laurences on this list. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillian Lynch (born: Lillian Laney), a telephone operator, and Charles Edward Murphy, a transit police officer who was also an amateur comedian and actor. Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. His father, Cuba Gooding, was the lead vocalist for the R&B group The Main Ingredient, which had a hit with the song "Everybody Plays The Fool". He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. Taking a cue from the Afrocentric stylings of the Native Tongues crew, which included De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest and Andres Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. She began appearing on commercials at the age of four. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. 9. When she was eight, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. He has worked extensively in both film and television productions since the early 1990s. A "closet" lover of acting, this practical Alabamian knew that she'd someday work in the film industry, Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. 7. His teachers used to give him the last few minutes of class to make his He is also known for portraying Detective Johnny Basil on Oz, Matthew Abaddon in Lost, Charon in the John Wick franchise and Guillermin in Godzilla vs. Kong. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. Image Source. He has been married to Cat Wilson since December 21, 2003. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961).She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. Lawrence Origin and Meaning The name Lawrence is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "from Laurentium". His television roles include Ally McBeal (1997), Judging Amy (1998-2005), CSI: Miami (2006), Girlfriends (2007), Grey's Anatomy (2010), Hawaii Five-0 (2011-2014), Tyrese Darnell Gibson was born December 30, 1978 in Watts, Los Angeles, California, where he was raised. 27. Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the bandleader and host of The Lawrence Welk Show. She has released many R&B albums and singles since the 1990s. Kamil McFadden. Alhough it was not his first film role, his portrayal of the bipolar numbers boss West Indian Archie in Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992) is what first attracted attention to Lindo's Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. She played a prostitute in Hustle & Flow (2005), for which she received a Lena Calhoun Horne was born June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. In film, she is best known Regina Hall was born December 12, 1970 in Washington, D.C., to Ruby, a teacher, and Odie Hall, a contractor. He co-created and starred in the sitcom Martin from 1992 until 1997. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a Bill Cosby is one of the world's most well-known entertainers and comedians. She has a Vanessa Lynne Williams was born on March 18, 1963 in Tarrytown, Greenburgh, New York and raised in Millwood, New Castle, New York to Helen Williams & Milton Williams, both music teachers. He received a BFA degree in musical theater Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. Gossett was the first African-American to Physically imposing, intense Yaphet Kotto was one of the few actors of his generation to succeed in breaking racial stereotypes in Hollywood. Her maid-mammy characters became steadily more assertive, showing up first in Judge Priest (1934) and becoming pronounced in Alice Adams (1935). Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington, TX. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. A Golden Globe winner, Basset has made a career, as well as fortune, out of portraying iconic real-life figures. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. Under the prodding of her mother, Dorothy and her sister Vivian Dandridge began performing publicly, usually in Taye Diggs was born in Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in Rochester, New York. 7. Widely regarded as the one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native USA and internationally, James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. She graduated from Fordham University in 1992, and went on to earn a master's degree in journalism from New York University before shifting to an acting career. He died on August 9, 2003 in Mario Van Peebles is a highly regarded director, actor, producer and writer. They have three children. More at IMDbPro She is the daughter of Zimbabwean mother Nyasha, a health-care worker from the Shona tribe, and British father Nick Newton, who worked as a lab technician. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. Search. He is known for his roles in the Bad Boys trilogy, Martin, Def Comedy Jam, Big Momma's House, Open Season, House Party, Boomerang, Wild Hogs, What's Happening Now! Vote up all of the Lawrences and Laurences you've heard of. Anthony has been featured in feature films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Isaiah Mustafa was born on February 11, 1974 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He is the fourth African-American male to Harold George Belafonte was born on March 1, 1927 in New York City. A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. Biography April 2019Darrin Henson is a three-time award-nominated actor , one-time award-nominated author and MTV choreography award-winner. Beer Barrel Polka and Tonight You Belong To Me are among his popular songs. Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. She studied acting at Howard University and began her Hollywood career in guest roles on several television shows before making her breakthrough in Baby Boy (2001). Fluent in several languages, including English, Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in west Africa, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and Charles S. Dutton was born on January 30, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The first Black person to star in a prime-time drama in the '60s, Tyson has made history . Who knew there were so many famous people named Laurence in the world? Did we forget one of your favorite famous people named Laurence? His directorial skills can be seen in the retelling of the epic mini-series "Roots" starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Goode. His father was a Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on November 13, 1955. After 10th grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high Louis Gossett Jr. is one of the most respected and beloved actors on stage, screen and television and is also an accomplished writer, producer and director.