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Cuba Gooding, Jr. is the son of Cuba Gooding, the lead singer in the group the Main Ingredient. This is the group that sang the popular hit “Everybody Plays the Fool.” Gooding, Jr. was born in the Bronx, New York, on January 2, 1968.

The success of Gooding, Sr.’s band was responsible for the family’s to move to Los Angeles when Gooding, Jr. was six. There, the actor and his siblings got a taste of success and wealth. However, the money didn’t last long since Gooding’s father soon left him, his two siblings, and their mother. While Gooding, Sr. enjoyed the fruits of his success, he did not share the wealth with his children -- his child support obligations were not kept current.

Gooding’s mother supported them as best as she could, but the family had to move a number of times, causing Gooding to attend four different high schools. He worked hard at each, though, and was actually elected class president at three of the four high schools. At age 13, Cuba decided to follow a religious path in life and became a born-again Christian.

The first career break for the actor came at the 1984 Olympics when he landed a part as a breakdancer for Lionel Richie’s performance at the closing ceremonies. Gooding was only sixteen. This gig did not turn out to be the big break that many people had promised, and Gooding went back to concentrating on his high school career.

However, a return to high school became even more beneficial for Gooding than his Olympic performance. During his performance of the high school’s production of Li’l Abner, a mother (who happened to be an agent) of one of the students saw him and was impressed enough to offer to represent him. She had him attend a number of auditions, which helped him land commercials and a few small roles, one of which was on Hill Street Blues. Because of his naivete about acting and the mechanics of the profession, Gooding missed his mark a number of times and ruined a few takes of one of the scenes. When the director said something to him about missing the tape on the floor, Gooding realized that he needed to take some acting lessons and participate in some workshops.

Eventually he landed more roles in television and a small part in Coming to America, with Eddie Murphy. (Gooding played the boy who gets his hair cut.) Shortly afterwards, Gooding landed a part in Boyz N the Hood and soon became known as a star to be watched. One of the reasons he was said to have gotten the part is because he looked like the director imagined the character should; the clothing he wore to the audition is the same clothing he wore in the promo pieces for the movie.

In spite of the praise for his performance in the film, Gooding obtained few good roles afterwards, although he did work steadily. Gooding earned enough to marry his high school sweetheart, with whom he had two boys (they’re hoping to have a girl in the future). One of his sons was born shortly after Gooding completed filming on Jerry Maguire. In fact, it is said that Gooding became very stressed while filming because he had to cope with two pregnant women: his real life wife and his character’s wife.

His part as Rod Tidwell in Maguire ended his streak of bad luck with finding decent roles. As the actor told the film’s director, Cameron Crowe, there are very few good and large roles for black actors in Hollywood. In fact, this comment was what got Gooding the part. Because of his average height (5’11”), many of the decision-makers for the film had felt that he was not quite right for the part, but conceded on the basis of his acting ability.

His role in Jerry Maguire jump-started his career, and made the phrase “Show me the money!” a household phrase. He garnered an Oscar and a number of other awards, as well as good, solid roles in other films such as What Dreams May Come and As Good As it Gets. Gooding has also begun directing and producing films.

Although Gooding would love to have a daughter, he says that he and his wife do not currently plan to have any more children in the near future. However, he has been very busy with films recently, both as an actor and as a producer for his production company, GoodBro. He has a crop of films slated to come out in 1999 and 2000, including a role as singer Otis Redding in Blaze of Glory. Gooding will also star in and direct another upcoming flick, Open Ice. Other upcoming projects are Memphis, The Gelfin, and a currently untitled WWII film.
Work History
1988 to present: Actor (film, tv, and commercials)-film debut in Coming to America (small part)

1985-1988: Signed with a talent agent and began doing commercials

1984 to present: Dancer and musician

1984: Breakdance Performer in the Olympics closing ceremony (he was 16)
Awards
Cuba Gooding Jr has also won numerous Awards