Cuba Gooding Jr.

Born:January 2, 1968

Place of Birth:The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Cuba Gooding Jr., born on January 2, 1968, in Bronx, New York, is a talented American actor who has made a significant impact in the film industry. He comes from a musical background, with his mother Shirley being a singer and his father, Cuba Gooding Sr., a lead vocalist of the soul group The Main Ingredient. Despite his father leaving the family at a young age, Gooding Jr. was raised by his strong and supportive mother alongside his siblings, including his brother, fellow actor Omar Gooding.

Gooding Jr.'s journey into the entertainment industry began with a unique start as a break-dancer performing alongside singer Lionel Richie at the 1984 Summer Olympics closing ceremonies in Los Angeles. Transitioning from his early days in entertainment, he ventured into acting and quickly made a name for himself with guest roles in popular TV shows like Hill Street Blues and MacGyver. His breakthrough came with a significant role in John Singleton's acclaimed film Boyz n the Hood in 1991, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor.

One of Gooding Jr.'s most iconic roles came in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, where he portrayed an arrogant football player opposite Tom Cruise. His memorable performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and solidified his status as a respected talent in Hollywood. The famous line "Show me the money!" from the movie became a cultural phenomenon, further establishing Gooding Jr. as a household name.

While he experienced success with notable films like A Few Good Men, Men of Honor, and As Good As It Gets, Gooding Jr. also faced challenges with projects like Boat Trip and Daddy Day Camp, which received mixed reviews. Despite this, he continued to explore different genres and took on diverse roles, showcasing his range as an actor. In Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story and American Gangster, he delivered standout performances that highlighted his ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters.

In addition to his on-screen work, Gooding Jr. delved into producing with the film A Murder of Crows, demonstrating his multifaceted talents behind the camera. He later took on lead roles in gritty films like Hero Wanted and Wrong Turn at Tahoe, showcasing his commitment to exploring diverse storytelling. His return to the big screen in Red Tails, a World War II film produced by George Lucas, further solidified his place in Hollywood as a versatile and dedicated actor.

Throughout his career, Cuba Gooding Jr. has proven himself to be a versatile actor with a range of talents, from intense dramas to action-packed thrillers. His dedication to his craft and willingness to take on challenging roles have earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. As he continues to captivate audiences with his performances, Gooding Jr. remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry, with a legacy that continues to inspire aspiring actors and filmmakers alike.

Images

Filmography

Acting

A Few Good Men

Cpl. Carl Hammaker

1992

When cocky military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee and his co-counsel, Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway, are assigned to a murder case, they uncover a hazing ritual that could implicate high-ranking officials such as shady Col. Nathan Jessep.

Norbit

Deion Hughes

2007

A mild-mannered guy who is engaged to a monstrous woman meets the woman of his dreams, and schemes to find a way to be with her.

Pearl Harbor

Doris Miller

2001

The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

American Gangster

Nicky Barnes

2007

Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.

Coming to America

Boy Getting Haircut

1988

An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble.

Jerry Maguire

Rod Tidwell

1996

Jerry Maguire used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he suddenly has second thoughts about what he's really doing. When he voices these doubts, he ends up losing his job and all of his clients, save Rod Tidwell, an egomaniacal football player.

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

Ben Carson

2009

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story is a movie based on the life story of world-renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson from 1961 to 1987.

Zoolander

Cuba Gooding Jr.

2001

Clear the runway for Derek Zoolander, VH1's three-time male model of the year. His face falls when hippie-chic Hansel scooters in to steal this year's award. The evil fashion guru Mugatu seizes the opportunity to turn Derek into a killing machine. It's a well-designed conspiracy and only with the help of Hansel and a few well-chosen accessories like Matilda can Derek make the world safe for male models everywhere.

Boyz n the Hood

Tré Styles

1991

In the middle of the Los Angeles ghetto, drugs, robberies and shootings dominate everyday life. During these times, Furious tries to raise his son Tre to be a decent person. Tre's friends, on the other hand, have little regard for the law and drag the entire neighborhood into a street war...

Men of Honor

Senior Chief Carl Brashear

2000

Against formidable odds -- and an old-school diving instructor embittered by the U.S. Navy's new, less prejudicial policies -- Carl Brashear sets his sights on becoming the Navy's first African-American master diver in this uplifting true story. Their relationship starts out on the rocks, but fate ultimately conspires to bring the men together into a setting of mutual respect, triumph and honor.

Home on the Range

Buck (voice)

2004

When a greedy outlaw schemes to take possession of the "Patch Of Heaven" dairy farm, three determined cows, a karate-kicking stallion and a colorful corral of critters join forces to save their home. The stakes are sky-high as this unlikely animal alliance risk their hides and match wits with a mysterious band of bad guys.

Boat Trip

Jerry Robinson

2002

Two guys whose love lives are a wreck look forward to finding ladies on the high seas. Unfortunately, they've mistakenly been booked on a gay cruise.

Life in a Year

Xavier

2020

A 17 year old finds out that his girlfriend is dying, so he sets out to give her an entire life, in the last year she has left.

Outbreak

Major Salt

1995

A deadly airborne virus finds its way into the USA and starts killing off people at an epidemic rate. Col. Sam Daniels' job is to stop the virus spreading from a small town, which must be quarantined, and to prevent an over reaction by the White House.

Rat Race

Owen Templeton

2001

In an ensemble film about easy money, greed, manipulation and bad driving, a Las Vegas casino tycoon entertains his wealthiest high rollers -- a group that will bet on anything -- by pitting six ordinary people against each other in a wild dash for $2 million jammed into a locker hundreds of miles away. The tycoon and his wealthy friends monitor each racer's every move to keep track of their favorites. The only rule in this race is that there are no rules.

Radio

2003

In the racially divided town of Anderson, South Carolina in 1976, football coach Harold Jones spots a mentally disabled African-American young man nicknamed Radio near his practice field and is inspired to befriend him. Soon, Radio is Jones' loyal assistant, and he becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School. But things start to sour when Coach Jones begins taking guff from parents and fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team's quest for a championship.

Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace

Balthazar

2024

When an Iraq War veteran receives a calling from a higher power, he embarks on a mission to stop a fallen angel from raising an army of the dead to take over the world.

Selma

Fred Gray

2014

"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.

As Good as It Gets

Frank Sachs

1997

Melvin Udall, a cranky, bigoted, obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction, is rude to everyone he meets, including his gay neighbor, Simon. After Simon is brutally attacked and hospitalized, Melvin finds his life turned upside down when he has to look after Simon's dog. In addition, Carol, the only waitress at the local diner who will tolerate him, leaves work to care for her chronically ill son, making it impossible for Melvin to eat breakfast.

What Dreams May Come

Albert Lewis

1998

Chris Nielsen dies to find himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have ever dreamed of. There is one thing missing: his wife. After he dies, his wife Annie killed herself and went to hell. Chris decides to risk eternity in Hades for the small chance that he will be able to bring her back to heaven.

Gladiator

Abraham Lincoln Haines

1992

Tommy Riley has moved with his dad to Chicago from a 'nice place'. He keeps to himself, goes to school. However, after a street fight he is noticed and quickly falls into the world of illegal underground boxing - where punches can kill.

Red Tails

Major Emanuelle Stance

2012

The story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American pilots to fly in a combat squadron during World War II.

Machete Kills

El Camaleon

2013

Ex-Federale agent Machete is recruited by the President of the United States for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man – he must take down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet.

Life of a King

Eugene Brown

2013

The true story of one man's mission to give inner city kids of Washington DC something he never had - a future. After being incarcerated for eighteen years, Eugene Brown established the Big Chair Chess Club to get kids off the streets and working towards lives they never believed they were capable of. This is his inspirational story.

Blown Away

Bomb Squad Class Member

1994

Blown Away tells the story of Jimmy Dove, who works for the Boston bomb squad. Shortly after Dove leaves the force, his partner is killed by a bomb that Dove thinks might have been made by someone he knows.

Snow Dogs

Ted Brooks

2002

When a Miami dentist inherits a team of sled dogs, he's got to learn the trade or lose his pack to a crusty mountain man.