Cuba Gooding Jr.
Cuba Gooding Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Gooding in April 2012 | |
| Born | Cuba Mark Gooding Jr. January 2, 1968 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Apple Valley High School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse(s) | Sara Kapfer
(m. 1994; sep. 2014) |
| Children | 3, including Mason Gooding |
| Parent(s) | Cuba Gooding Sr. Shirley Sullivan |
| Relatives | Omar Gooding (brother) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
Cuba Mark Gooding Jr. (born January 2, 1968) is an American actor. After his breakthrough role as Tre Styles in Boyz n the Hood (1991), he appeared in A Few Good Men (1992), The Tuskegee Airmen (1995), Outbreak (1995), and Jerry Maguire (1996), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and What Dreams May Come (1998).
He gained later fame for his roles in Men of Honor (2000) as Carl Brashear, and in Michael Bay's World War II epic Pearl Harbor (2001) as Doris Miller. His other films include As Good as It Gets (1997), Rat Race (2001), The Fighting Temptations (2003), American Gangster (2007), Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013), and Selma (2014), playing civil rights attorney Fred Gray. In 2016, he portrayed O. J. Simpson in the FX drama series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and co-starred in the sixth season of the FX anthology series American Horror Story, subtitled Roanoke. He also provided the voice of Buck in the animated feature film Home on the Range (2004).
Early life[]
Gooding was born on January 2, 1968, in the Bronx, New York City.[1] His mother, Shirley Sullivan, is a singer, and his father, Cuba Gooding Sr., was the lead vocalist of soul group The Main Ingredient.[2][3] Gooding has three siblings: April, Omar, and Thomas.[4] His paternal grandfather, Dudley MacDonald Gooding, was a native of Barbados.[3] His family moved to Los Angeles in 1972 after his father's music group had their hit single "Everybody Plays the Fool"; two years later, the elder Gooding left the family. Gooding himself was raised by his mother and attended four different high schools: North Hollywood High School, Tustin High School, Apple Valley High School, and John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills in Los Angeles. He served as class president in three of them.[5] He became a born-again Christian at the age of 13.[6]
Career[]
Early career and major success[]
Gooding's first job as an entertainer was as a breakdancer, performing with singer Lionel Richie at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[2] After high school, Gooding studied Japanese martial arts for three years, before turning his focus toward acting. Early on, he landed guest starring roles on shows like Hill Street Blues (1987), Amen (1988) and MacGyver (1988, 1989 and 1990) and also had a small part in the popular comedy Coming to America (1988). Gooding's first major role was in John Singleton's inner-city crime drama Boyz n the Hood (1991), in which he played the lead, Tre Styles. The film was a box office surprise and critical hit, and is considered a modern classic.[7][8] He followed this success with supporting roles in major films such as (1992), Judgment Night (1993), Lightning Jack (1994), and Outbreak (1995).
In 1996, Gooding reached a new level of prominence when he was cast as an arrogant yet charismatic football player in Cameron Crowe's dramatic sports comedy Jerry Maguire (1996) with co-star Tom Cruise, which was a major critical and commercial success and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned Gooding an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. His exuberant "Show me the money!" line in the film became a nationwide catch phrase.[9] His Oscar acceptance speech has often been cited for its enthusiasm.[10]
Post-Oscar prominence[]
In 1997, Gooding followed his breakout with a notable supporting role in the acclaimed Academy Award-winning comedy As Good as It Gets (1997), but in the following years his career was inconsistently successful. Some of his best received performances include turns in films such as the mystical drama What Dreams May Come (1998) and the US Naval drama Men of Honor (2000), in which he played the lead role and co-starred with Robert De Niro. Gooding also received attention for his roles in the epic Pearl Harbor (2001) as Doris Miller, the ensemble farce Rat Race (2001), musical dramedy The Fighting Temptations (2003), and the football drama Radio (2003), in which he played the title role. Additionally, though not well received critically, the family comedy Snow Dogs (2002) was a commercial success. Other roles during this time include Theo Caulder in the psychological thriller Instinct (1999) and the voice of Buck in the Disney animated film Home on the Range (2004). However, during this stage of his career, he appeared in a series of films which were not critically or commercially successful, such as Chill Factor (1999), Boat Trip (2002), Norbit (2007) and Daddy Day Camp (2007), all of which had received extremely negative reviews and, with the exception of Norbit, performed poorly at the box office. Ultimately, neither his earlier successes nor his leading roles in a couple of smaller independent films, including Lee Daniels' directorial debut Shadowboxer (2005), were able to offset these failures.
Later career[]
Since then, in great contrast to earlier stages of his acting career, Gooding has appeared in many more critically ignored, direct-to-DVD films than theatrical or television releases. A well-received performance as Ben Carson in Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009) and a small supporting role in Ridley Scott's American Gangster (2007), both proved to be exceptions to this trend. Gooding's next major film role was in the 2012 World War II film Red Tails, produced by George Lucas. In 2013, Gooding had roles in several theatrical release films, including a well received supporting performance in Lee Daniels' The Butler and brief appearances in Don Jon and Machete Kills. He also made his Broadway theatre debut alongside Cicely Tyson and Vanessa Williams in a Tony Award-nominated production of The Trip to Bountiful.[11] In 2014, he appeared as Civil Rights Movement attorney Fred Gray in the widely acclaimed historical drama Selma. He has since appeared much more frequently on television, including performances as Samuel Fraunces in the miniseries The Book of Negroes, as a comedically embellished version of himself on Big Time in Hollywood, FL, and as O. J. Simpson in the anthology series American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson. Despite his performance receiving mixed reviews,[12][13][14] he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. Gooding's Emmy nomination for his work on the series was criticized by some reviewers.[15] In 2018, Gooding headlined the 21st Anniversary revival of the musical Chicago in the West End as Billy Flynn at the Phoenix Theatre.
His directorial debut, Bayou Caviar, was released on October 5, 2018.
Other work[]
In 2006, Gooding earned the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology for his work raising awareness about Multiple Sclerosis.[16]
In 2012, Gooding starred in a TV pilot for Fox called Guilty that was directed by McG. Though it was well received in screenings, it was ultimately not picked up by the network. He appeared on Channel 4's Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on August 5, 2011, closing the show dueting "Bad Romance" with Lulu. In 2002, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gooding starred in an online video game called "The Quest For The Code" which focuses on juvenile asthma management.[17]
On March 3, 2018, Gooding appeared as star guest announcer on the 100th episode of ITV's Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.[18]
Personal life[]
In 1994, Gooding married his high school sweetheart, Sara Kapfer, with whom he has three children, including actor Mason Gooding. In 2014, Kapfer filed for legal separation from Gooding.[19] Gooding filed for divorce in January 2017.[20][21]
Sexual abuse allegations[]
On June 13, 2019, Gooding was booked on charges of misdemeanor forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree in New York City relating to an incident in which he allegedly groped a woman at a bar in Times Square.[22] On October 10, he was indicted on a separate, additional sexual abuse charge.[23] As of August 2020, 30 women have accused Gooding of unwanted sexual touching.[24][25][26] Gooding Jr. has been formally charged for three incidents, each resulting in misdemeanor charges of forcible touching and third degree sexual abuse.[27] He has pleaded not guilty.[28]
On August 19, 2020, a lawsuit was filed accusing Gooding of raping a woman twice in 2013 in a New York hotel room.[29][30]
Filmography[]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2018) |
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Coming to America | Boy Getting Haircut | |
| 1989 | Sing | Stanley | |
| 1991 | Boyz n the Hood | Jason "Tre" Styles III | Nominated – Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1992 | Gladiator | Abraham Lincoln Haines | |
| A Few Good Men | Corporal Carl Edward Hammaker | ||
| 1993 | Judgment Night | Mike Peterson | |
| 1994 | Lightning Jack | Ben Doyle | |
| Blown Away | Bomb Squad Class Member | Cameo | |
| 1995 | Outbreak | Major Salt | Nominated – Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
| Losing Isaiah | Eddie Hughes | ||
| 1996 | Jerry Maguire | Rod Tidwell | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor – Comedy/Romance Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated – Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets | Frank Sachs | Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture |
| 1998 | What Dreams May Come | Albert Lewis | Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor – Drama/Romance Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
| A Murder of Crows | Lawson Russell | Also producer | |
| 1999 | Instinct | Theo Caulder | |
| Chill Factor | Arlo | ||
| 2000 | Men of Honor | BM2/Chief/Senior Chief Carl Brashear | Nominated – BET Award for Best Actor Nominated – Black Reel Award: Best Actor Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture |
| 2001 | Pearl Harbor | Petty Officer Doris Miller | |
| Rat Race | Owen Templeton | ||
| In the Shadows | Draven | ||
| Zoolander | Himself | Cameo | |
| 2002 | Snow Dogs | Dr. Theodore "Ted" Brooks, D.D.S. | |
| Boat Trip | Jerry Robinson | Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor | |
| 2003 | The Fighting Temptations | Darrin Hill | Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor |
| Radio | James Robert "Radio" Kennedy | Camie Award for Best Cast NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor | |
| 2004 | Home on the Range | Buck The Domestic Horse | Voice |
| 2005 | Shadowboxer | Mikey | Nominated – Black Movie Award for Best Actor |
| Dirty | Salim Adel | ||
| 2006 | End Game | Alex Thomas | Direct-to-video |
| 2007 | Norbit | Deion Hughes | Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor |
| Daddy Day Camp | Charlie Hinton | Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor | |
| What Love Is | Tom | ||
| American Gangster | Nicky Barnes | Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | |
| The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends | Loofah The Beipiaosaurus | Voice Direct-to-video | |
| 2008 | Hero Wanted | Liam Case | Direct-to-video |
| Harold | Cromer | Also producer | |
| Linewatch | Michael Dixon | Direct-to-video | |
| 2009 | The Way of War | David Wolfe | Direct-to-video |
| The Devil's Tomb | Mack | Direct-to-video | |
| Lies & Illusions | Isaac | Direct-to-video | |
| Hardwired | Luke Gibson | Direct-to-video | |
| Wrong Turn at Tahoe | Joshua | Direct-to-video | |
| 2011 | Ticking Clock | Lewis Hicks | Direct-to-video |
| Sacrifice | Detective John Hebron | Direct-to-video | |
| The Hit List | Jonas Arbor | Direct-to-video | |
| 2012 | Red Tails | Major Emanuel Stance | |
| One in the Chamber | Ray Carver | Direct-to-video | |
| 2013 | Don Jon | Hollywood Actor #2 | Cameo |
| Absolute Deception | John Nelson | Direct-to-video | |
| Life of a King | Eugene Brown | Limited release | |
| The Butler | Carter Wilson | Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | |
| Machete Kills | El Chameleón 2 | ||
| 2014 | Freedom | Samuel | Also executive producer |
| Selma | Fred Gray | ||
| 2018 | Bayou Caviar | Rodney Jones | Also director and co-writer |
| 2020 | Life in a Year | Xavier |
Television[]
Stage[]
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Trip to Bountiful | Ludie Watts | Stephen Sondheim Theatre |
| 2018 | Chicago | Billy Flynn | Phoenix Theatre, London |
| Chicago | Billy Flynn | Ambassador Theatre, New York City New York |
References[]
- ^ "Cuba Gooding Jr.: Actor (1968–)". Biography.com. A&E Networks. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Gaul, Lou (August 7, 2008). "Cuba Gooding Jr. talks 'Daddy Day Camp'". Phillyburbs. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "The Cuba Gooding Sr. Story is coming to film", soulandfunkmusic.com.
- ^ "Inside Cuba Gooding Sr.'s Incredible Family History, Career and Love Life". The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. April 22, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Cuba Gooding Jr Bio: movies.yahoo.com". Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ Williams, Kam (August 15, 2007). "Cuba Gooding: The Daddy Day Camp Interview with Kam Williams". Kamwilliams. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ Barboza, Craigh (January 1, 2009). John Singleton: Interviews. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781604731163.
- ^ Ebony. November 1, 1998.
- ^ "Cuba Gooding Jr". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ Nolfi, Joey (February 24, 2017). "The 15 most memorable Oscar speeches since Cuba Gooding Jr". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Busis, Hillary (December 20, 2012). "Cuba Gooding Jr. and Vanessa Williams head to Broadway". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ Schilling, Dave (February 5, 2016). "The People v OJ Simpson: episode one – great casting, with one exception". The Guardian. London, England.
- ^ Starr, Michael (February 23, 2016). "Cuba Gooding Jr. has made despicable O.J. Simpson boring". New York Post. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ McGovern, Joe (February 9, 2016). "In defense of Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ Marcus, Stephanie (July 14, 2016). "Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Emmy Nomination For Playing O.J. Simpson Is Puzzling To Say The Least". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ^ "Public Leadership in Neurology Award Honors Cuba Gooding, Jr., for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Efforts". www.aan.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ "Cuba Gooding Jr". Lodi News-Sentinel. Associated Press. January 18, 2002. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ Miller, Adam (March 3, 2018). "Saturday Night Takeaway: Ant and Dec SNUBBED by Cuba Gooding Jr. during 100th episode". Daily Express.
- ^ Lee, Ken; Rouse, Wade (April 23, 2014). "Cuba Gooding Jr. Separates from Wife". People Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ Vulpo, Mike; Passalaqua, Holly (January 19, 2017). "Cuba Gooding Jr. Files for Divorce From His Wife Sara Kapfer After 22 Years of Marriage". E! Online. New York City: NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ Biden, David (August 29, 2016). "Beautiful Interracial Celeb Couples". Semesterz.
- ^ Dickson, E. J. (June 14, 2019). "Cuba Gooding Jr. Turns Himself In on Groping Charges". Rolling Stone. New York City. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Menendez, Pilar (October 10, 2019). "Cuba Gooding Jr. Indicted for 'Additional Incident' in Groping Case: Prosecutors". Daily Beast. New York City: IAC/Daily Beast Company. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/13/us/cuba-gooding-jr-hearing/index.html}}
- ^ "Cuba Gooding Jr. Accused of 2013 Rape in Lawsuit". Associated Press. August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ Cuba Gooding Jr. hearing CNN, 2020/08/13
- ^ Jacobs, Julia (October 31, 2019). "Cuba Gooding Jr. Faces Third Set of Groping Charges". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Jacobs, Julia (December 9, 2019). "Cuba Gooding Jr. Faces 7 More Accusations of Unwanted Touching". The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ "Cuba Gooding Jr accused of raping woman". BBC News. London, England: BBC. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Actor Cuba Gooding Jr accused of 2013 rape in lawsuit". The Guardian. Reuters. August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoalNnTmnOs
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cuba Gooding Jr.. |
- Cuba Gooding Jr. at IMDb
- Cuba Gooding Jr. at the Internet Broadway Database
- Cinema Confidential interview (January 2002)
- Hollywood.com interview (November 9, 2000)
- Jet interview (October 11, 1999)
- Ebony interview (June 1997)
- JAM! Movies interview (December 13, 1996)
- Hanes Backstage Game with Cuba Gooding Jr. & Michael Jordan (July 2007)
| show Authority control  |
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- 1968 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- African-American Christians
- African-American male actors
- American evangelicals
- American male film actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- American people of Barbadian descent
- Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winners
- Male actors from New York City
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- People from the Bronx
- People from the San Fernando Valley
- Sexual misconduct allegations
- North Hollywood High School alumni