The Cast of Roots

They're part of the ensemble that made Roots the most watched drama in television history. Find out what they're doing today.

Pin It

Comments

3 of 7

Louis Gossett Jr. (Fiddler)

Brooklyn-born Louis Gossett Jr. first stepped into the spotlight at age 16 when he beat out 400 hopefuls to land a starring role in Broadway's Take a Giant Step. In 1959, he was cast as George Murchison in the groundbreaking Broadway drama A Raisin in the Sun, later reprising the role alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1961 film adaptation. His role as Fiddler in Roots earned him an Emmy®. Five years later, Louis took home an Oscar® for his portrayal of Sgt. Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman.

Louis has several movie projects in development. He will star in Smitty with Mira Sorvino and Peter Fonda in 2012.

Published on January 16, 2012

3 of 7

From Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy

Published on January 16, 2012

Keep Reading

OWN Adds Primetime Specials to January Lineup

"Oprah's Master Class" Returns as a Series of Specials Beginning Sunday, January 8 and the Special Event "Oprah and the Legendary Cast of ‘Roots' 35 Years Later" will Air on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 16

First Look: Oprah and the Legendary Cast of Roots

In this OWN special event, Oprah opens the doors to her home and reunites the legendary cast of Roots 35 years after they helped make television history.

LeVar Burton on Revisiting History's Painful Past in Roots

The Middle Passage was the hellish 4,000-mile journey slaves were forced to endure across the Atlantic and a nightmare actor LeVar Burton had to portray on film as Kunta Kinte in the legendary miniseries Roots. Watch as he explains how he believes the ancestors helped protect him during the difficult shoot.

Exclusive Webisode: The Impact of Roots on America

Did Roots open the door to a greater conversation about race in America? Watch as cast members John Amos, Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen and Louis Gossett Jr. discuss why that door needs to be opened wider and where they think the country is today.