Cuba Gooding Jr Net Worth

Cuba Gooding Jr's Quotes

• I have never made a decision based on race and never will. I am admiring of my fellow peers, black filmmakers and black actors and actresses. When [Halle Berry] and [Denzel Washington] won Oscars, I felt pride because I was black, but never did I analyze their win based on color.
• [on his final audition for Jerry Maguire (1996)] I came in there and did everything I had to do and the rest was history. So it was never like me sitting going, "Ah, there's Tom!" [Tom Cruise] To me, it was like that son of a bitch was holding me back from doing what I had to do.
• [on his most embarrassing moment] That Oscar win, when I jumped around that damned stage!
• Steven Spielberg came to me and said, 'I want you to be in Amistad (1997) and I said, 'It's a slave role; show me the money. I'm so a big thing,' and he goes, 'I can direct you.' and I said, 'No, I have to pass.' To me, at the time, I remember this interview I read (with) Christopher Reeve talking about Superman. What other role could live up to being Superman; he was Superman. I bought into that. People were telling me (of Jerry Maguire (1996)), 'You're black, it's a comedy role, you're not gonna win this thing.' So, when I won it, it was like I had all these things in my life - 'This is what you are, this is what you've become... Now represent that. I have arrived and now I have to live up to this thing.' (I didn't know) the next day I should have rolled up my sleeves and said, 'OK, now let's continue on this journey.' Creatively, I stopped myself.
• [on his biggest disappointment] I wanted to meet Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained (2012) but he had Jamie Foxx in mind - that one hurt.

Interesting Facts about Cuba Gooding Jr

1. Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1991" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 43. [1991]
2. Older brother of Omar Gooding.
3. Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1997]
4. Break danced in the 1984 closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles
5. Son of Cuba Gooding, lead singer of The Main Ingredient singing group ("Everybody Plays The Fool").
6. Suggested by Roger Moore to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.
7. He was a non-celebrity contestant on The All-New Dating Game (1986) (approx 1986) He was contestant #1. The woman passed him up and chose contestant #2.
8. Was a backup dancer for Paula Abdul.
9. He played a role in the MacGyver (1985) episode, MacGyver: The Coltons (1991), which was the pilot to a series about the Colton Brothers. However, the pilot did not sell and so the series never was produced.
10. Sons: Spencer Gooding, born in 1994, and Mason Gooding, born in 1996.
11. Was discovered by eccentric Hollywood agent, Coralie Jr., for his break-dancing talent. He thanked Coralie in his acceptance speech when he received the academy award for his best supporting role in Jerry Maguire (1996).
12. Attended John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills his junior year. There, he joined the drama club, stage crew and ran cross country. That year, 1986, he appeared in the California Shakespeare Festival where he won first place in his portrayal of "Othello".
13. He and his wife welcomed their third child, a daughter, in Fall 2005. Her name is Piper and no other details have been released.
14. Occasionally plays a member of the armed forces or law enforcement. He played "Petty Officer Doris Miller" in Pearl Harbor (2001), "Senior Chief Carl Brashear" in Men of Honor (2000), "Corporal Carl Hammaker" in A Few Good Men (1992) and "Officer Alvarez" in Judgement (1992).
15. Turned down the leading role of Cinque in Amistad (1997).
16. He and his wife Sara were high school sweethearts.
17. Is an avid hockey player and has a rink in his back yard.
18. His father, Cuba Gooding, is a Goodwill Ambassador to Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. On Dec. 5. 2009, he received a "key" to the city from Mayor Torres.
19. Enjoys vacations in Hawaii with his family and goes there often.
20. Lives in Pacific Palisades and Porter Ranch, California.