Synopsis
Award-winning African American actor Lou Gossett Jr. takes an unvarnished look at the daunting challenges and incredible triumphs of his fifty-five year career Louis Gossett Jr. is one of the most respected African American stage and screen actors, who rose to fame with his Emmy-winning role in the television miniseries Roots and Oscar-winning performance in An Officer and a Gentleman . Now he tells the story of his fifty-plus years in the entertainment world-from his early success on the New York stage appearing with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier in A Raisin in the Sun , through his long Hollywood career working alongside countless stars, including Marilyn Monroe and Dennis Quaid. He writes frankly of his struggle to get leading roles and fair pay as a black man in Hollywood, his problems with drugs and alcohol that took years to overcome, and his current work to eradicate racism and violence and give our children a better future. Includes revealing stories and reminiscences involving famous performers, including Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Shirley Booth, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve McQueen, Richard Gere, Maggie Smith, Halle Berry, and Gena Rowlands Spans half a century of American theater and film history, people, and performances Highlights the problem of racism in Hollywood and the challenges faced by African American actors from the 1950s and 1960s onward An Actor and a Gentleman penetrates the celebrity glitz and glamour to offer an honest, heartfelt portrayal of the African American experience both in Hollywood and the New York theater world, as told by one of the nation's most enduring and highly esteemed actors., Award-winning African American actor Lou Gossett Jr. takes an unvarnished look at the daunting challenges and incredible triumphs of his fifty-five year career Louis Gossett Jr. is one of the most respected African American stage and screen actors, who rose to fame with his Emmy-winning role in the television miniseries Roots and Oscar-winning performance in An Officer and a Gentleman . Now he tells the story of his fifty-plus years in the entertainment world--from his early success on the New York stage appearing with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier in A Raisin in the Sun , through his long Hollywood career working alongside countless stars, including Marilyn Monroe and Dennis Quaid. He writes frankly of his struggle to get leading roles and fair pay as a black man in Hollywood, his problems with drugs and alcohol that took years to overcome, and his current work to eradicate racism and violence and give our children a better future. Includes revealing stories and reminiscences involving famous performers, including Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Shirley Booth, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve McQueen, Richard Gere, Maggie Smith, Halle Berry, and Gena Rowlands Spans half a century of American theater and film history, people, and performances Highlights the problem of racism in Hollywood and the challenges faced by African American actors from the 1950s and 1960s onward An Actor and a Gentleman penetrates the celebrity glitz and glamour to offer an honest, heartfelt portrayal of the African American experience both in Hollywood and the New York theater world, as told by one of the nation's most enduring and highly esteemed actors., Award-winning African American actor Lou Gossett Jr. takes an unvarnished look at the daunting challenges and incredible triumphs of his fifty-five year careerLouis Gossett Jr., An unvarnished account of a stellar career in interesting timesFrom his days as a teenage Broadway star through his prominent role in Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Louis Gossett Jr. has always had an unusual perch from which to view American life. In An Actor and a Gentleman, he uses that unique perspective to create a smart, funny, and bittersweet memoir of his career and of the many changes, positive or not, that have reshaped America during his extraordinary life."Lou Gossett Jr., one of America's most repected actors, has placed both his highly praised career and the story of his life between the covers of a book. He stands tall in both instances."-Sidney Poitier"Bold, original, defiant, and uplifting, Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. has written a compelling memoir alternating between struggle and progress. Whether you read it and weep, or read it and cheer, it is a great read and a must-read! Every woman, man, and child will be overwhelmed by Gossett's ability to overcome adversity and to become a true leader in the twenty-first century. Read this book. It will change your life."-Charles J. Ogletree Jr., professor, Harvard Law School, and author of All Deliberate Speed, When Law Fails, and The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates"What an amazing story . . . what an amazing book! You certainly have been 'there' and back. Thanks, Lou, for sharing your story with me. It's a treasure!"-James Garner"You've always exceeded every expectation as an Actor, and as a Gentleman you have inspired young and old. Through all the generations we have lived together, you have brought me much joy and laughter and enriched my life. I love you, man!"-Hilly Elkins, long-time theater and film producer
