in 1983, he was cast in the title role in "sadat", a miniseries which chronicled the life and assassination of anwar sadat. while filming "an officer and a gentleman", gossett was also starring in the 1982–1983 science fiction series, "the powers of matthew star". his role as drill instructor gunnery sergeant emil foley in the 1982 film "an officer and a gentleman" won him an academy award for best supporting actor. he was the first black male to win an oscar in a supporting role, the second black male to win for acting, and the third black actor to win overall.