Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and known to millions as the voice of Half-Life 2’s vortigaunts, has died at the age of 87.
Whilst the aliens were voiced by Tony Todd in Episode Two and Half-Life: Alyx, the original versions in Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One were voiced by Gossett.
From AP’s archives: Louis Gossett Jr. on receiving a Hollywood legacy award in 2020.
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 87. pic.twitter.com/CjpXtzumZ4
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) March 29, 2024
“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamour, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” Gossett’s cousin, Neal L. Gossett, said via a family statement.
Lou Gossett Jr. touched the hearts of many with his compelling performances, earning himself both an Oscar for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and an Emmy for his unforgettable portrayal in “Roots”.