During the 1960s, he also showcased his talent as a folk singer in Greenwich Village coffee houses. He collaborated with Richie Havens to write the antiwar anthem “Handsome Johnny,” which Mr. Havens recorded in 1966 and later performed at Woodstock.
His extensive filmography includes roles in “The Landlord” (1970), where he portrayed a man on the verge of madness; “Travels With My Aunt” (1972); and “The Deep” (1977), where he played a Bahamian drug dealer. Later in his career, he appeared in “Diggstown” (1992) as a boxer, and in the film adaptation of Sam Shepard’s “Curse of the Starving Class” (1994) as a bar owner.
Mr. Gossett made over 100 television appearances, spanning from light-hearted comedies like “The Partridge Family” to dramas like “Madam Secretary.” He took on the lead role in the short-lived 1989 series “Gideon Oliver,” portraying a Columbia anthropology professor who solves crimes.
He also appeared in numerous television movies, such as “The Lazarus Syndrome” (1978), “A Gathering of Old Men” (1987), “Strange Justice” (1999), and “Lackawanna Blues” (2005). His television movie roles ranged from portraying the Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat to the baseball star Satchel Paige.
Mr. Gossett remained active in acting until recently, with his last appearance in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.”
His marriages to Hattie Glascoe in 1964, Christina Mangosing in 1973, and Cyndi James Reese in 1987 all ended in divorce. He is survived by his sons, Satie and Sharron Gossett, as well as several grandchildren.
In an interview with the Television Academy, Mr. Gossett encouraged his fellow actors to use their craft to drive political and social change in a tumultuous world. He believed that the arts had the power to make a significant impact quickly, as millions of people were tuning in. He emphasized the ability of actors to connect with audiences faster than anyone else.
Reporting contributed by Michael S. Rosenwald.
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