Louis Gossett, Jr., the esteemed African American actor, who rose to fame forhis Emmy-winning role in the television mini-series Roots and supporting actor Oscar-winning role in An Officer and a Gentlemen, tells the story of his more than fifty years in the world of entertainment. He writes about his early achievements on the stage in New York, most importantly working with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier in Raisin in the Sun, the play that, according to the Times, ‘changed Broadway forever.’ He describes his first foray into Hollywood for the film version of Raisin, and the racism he encountered there for the first time in his career. He then retunred to Broadway for Golden Boy with Sammy Davis, Jr., and, seven years, later went back to Hollywood to make the first made-for-television movie only to encounter even more blatant racism. He recounts the years that followed, a constant struggle to be paid fairly, and his continuing inability as a black man to get leading roles, even after his success in Roots and An Officer and a Gentlemen. He writes frankly about his personal life,the partying and the booze and drugs, and the two sons he loved but almost lost because of his addictions. He has now overcome his demons, and has started a foundation, Eracism, to work to erase racism in this country, and especiallyto give children at risk the helping hand they need to make a better lives for themselves.Louis Gossett, Jr. is one of the most respected African-American actors of stage, screen, and television. He made his broadway debut at age 17 in Take a Giant Step, winning the Donaldson Award as the year's best newcomer. A basketball player in high school, he maintained his interest in the sport while workingsteadily on state and television and was drafted by the Knicks but decided topursue his acting career. He did not become a bona fide star until his Emmy-winning performance in the landmark mini-series Roots (1977). Then in 1982, he one a best supporting actor Oscar for An Officer and a Gentleman. In 2007, he started Eracism, a foundation dedicated to eradicating racism, violence, and ignorance and especially to create programs to give children at risk a helping hand. He was heavily involved in campaigning for Barack Obama, especially raising money and involving other celebrities in the campaign. Co-author Phyllis Karas is a professor at Boston University's School of Communications and has written several books, including Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob (2006, HarperCollins) and The Onassis Women (1998, Penguin).
- ISBN: 978-0-470-57471-3
- Editorial: John Wiley & Sons
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 320
- Fecha Publicación: 19/05/2010
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés