May 27, 1936

Academy-award winning actor Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. was born on May 27, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York. He originally aimed to be a professional basketball player, but decided later on that his true love was acting. His first film appearance was in the Sidney Poitier film A Raisin in the Sun in 1961. His television stints include shows like Alias Smith and Jones. His role in the film An Officer and a Gentleman won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
 
Gerak is played by Louis Gossett Jr. on the Sci-Fi Channel original series Stargate SG-1. Gerak is the first leader of the Free Jaffa Nation. 

Brooklyn, New York, USA

Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr.

Male

-He was the first male to be shown giving birth on screen, as Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan in Enemy Mine (1985).

-Was considered for the role of Lt. Traxler in The Terminator (1984).

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

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6' 4" (1.93 M)

-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.