Cuba Gooding Jr. is a talented American actor who made a name for himself with his powerful performances in both film and TV. He gained fame for his role in Jerry Maguire, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Known for his versatility, Gooding has played a wide range of characters, from a football player to a war hero. His career continues to thrive, showcasing his remarkable acting skills in various projects.
| Net Worth | $15 million |
| Date of Birth | 02 January 1968 |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 1.82 meters |
| Profession | Actor |
| Nationality | American |
Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in the Bronx, New York City. His mother, Shirley Sullivan, was a singer, and his father, Cuba Gooding Sr., was the lead vocalist of the soul group The Main Ingredient. In 1972, the family moved to Los Angeles, where Gooding 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. He served as class president in three of them. At the age of 13, he became a born-again Christian. After high school, Gooding studied Japanese martial arts for three years before deciding to pursue acting.
Cuba Gooding Jr. is an actor whose career rose in the 1990s and has many high and low points. He first appeared on television in guest roles on shows like Hill Street Bluesand MacGyver. His first big break in films came in 1991 with Boyz n the Hood, which got him noticed.
After that, he got supporting roles in movies that became well-known. For example A Few Good Men(1992), Lightning Jack, and Outbreak(1995). These roles helped him build a reputation for being a serious actor who could handle different parts.
His major moment came in 1996 when he acted in Jerry Maguire. In that film he played a football player with strong loyalty and energy. That role earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This award boosted his fame.
After Jerry Maguire, he had some very successful and praised roles. One was in Radio(2003), where he played a man with intellectual disabilities; many people felt he did a good job there. He also got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame around 2002.
In later years his film choices included both big studio movies and smaller ones, including direct-to-video films. Among notable films are American Gangster(2007), Selma(2014), and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story(2016) where he played O.J. Simpson.
In addition to acting, he also directed and wrote. For example Bayou Caviar(2018) was a movie that he co-wrote, directed, and starred in.
Cuba Gooding Jr. has won important honors. The Oscar for Jerry Maguireremains the biggest. Over time people have praised him for roles where he showed depth and who he worked with famous directors and actors. But his career also saw periods where fewer big films came his way.
As of 2025, Cuba Gooding Jr.'s net worth is estimated at $15 million. This wealth stems from his successful acting career, including notable roles in films like Jerry Maguireand Men of Honor, as well as his work in television and voice acting. Despite facing legal challenges in recent years, Gooding has maintained a steady presence in the entertainment industry, contributing to his financial standing.