Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Cuba Gooding Jr. Biography

Birth Name:Cuba M. Gooding

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

Collaborated with the charity NephCure Kidney International in 2014 to help support efforts to combat kidney disease
Has been inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame
Was born to soul singer Cuba Gooding Sr
Is the brother of actor Omar Gooding
Was discovered by an agent while performing in a school play and appeared in several commercials
Quote: "[On fighting for roles in Hollywood] "There have been situations that you have to kind of fight tradition, so to speak, and overcome it․""
Best known for playing arrogant football player Rod Tidwell in "Jerry Maguire," making his line, "Show me the money" into a pop-culture staple
Frequently plays characters who are serious and soft-spoken
Breakdanced with singer Lionel Richie at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
Studied Japanese martial arts for three years

Awards

1990Young Artist Award-Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series: nominated
1992CFCA Award-Most Promising Actor: nominated
1992Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1996ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series: nominated
1997Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1997Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy/Romance: winner
1997CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1997Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1997DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: winner
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama/Romance: winner
1999Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1999Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
2001BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2001Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2003Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
2003Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
2004Black Reel-Film: Best Actor: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2004Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
2005Camie-: winner
2006Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2006Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2010Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2013Black Reel-Outstanding Television or Mini-Series Performance, Male: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014Hollywood Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2014BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2014SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2014WAFCA Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2015GAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2016Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
2016Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
2017Felix-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2017Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2025Faith in Film Best Supporting Actor-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2025Faith in Film Best Ensemble Cast in a Feature-Best Ensemble Cast: winner