Louis Gossett Jr.: I Have Cancer

Oscar-winning actor shares his diagnosis to help African-Americans get more preventative care

Some sad news from an Oscar-winning actor.

Louis Gossett Jr., who took home the golden prize in 1982 for An Officer and a Gentleman, announced today that he's been diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer.

The 73-year-old claims he wants the world to know in order "to set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventative examinations and early treatment," he told KTLA News in Los Angeles. "I want to influence them to seek, as I have, the fine medical care and early detection now available."

Here's hoping he has a speedy recovery.