On Tuesday, renowned actor Louis Gossett Jr., most popularly known for his Oscar-winning performance as a tough drill instructor in "An Officer and a Gentleman", admitted that he was currently battling prostate cancer.

The 73 year old actor, while sharing that his disease was still in its early stages, stressed that he was going public in order to encourage African-Americans to seek early screenings and treatment for the condition.

He also revealed that he has commenced an intensive treatment routine so that he can get back to his acting schedule, and work with his Eracism Foundation, as soon as possible.

"I count this diagnosis among the many challenges I have faced in my life and overcome. I expect this to be no different", Gossett said.

He stressed that he wanted to go public about his condition 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 preventive examinations and early treatment".