Cuba Gooding Jr Biography: Cuba Mark Gooding Jr., born on January 2, 1968, is an American actor. He rose to fame with his breakout role as Tre Styles in Boyz n the Hood (1991) and later won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as a football player in Jerry Maguire (1996). His film credits also include A Few Good Men (1992), Judgment Night (1993), Lightning Jack (1994), As Good as It Gets (1997), Men of Honor (2000), Pearl Harbor (2001), Snow Dogs (2002), Radio (2003), Norbit (2007), and Linewatch (2008). He portrayed Dr. Ben Carson in Gifted Hands (2009) and appeared in Red Tails (2012) and The Butler (2013). Gooding has also lent his voice to animated films such as Home on the Range (2004) and The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends (2007).
Cuba Gooding Jr Biography
Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in the Bronx, New York City. His mother, Shirley (née Sullivan), was a backup singer for the vocal group The Sweethearts, while his father, Cuba Gooding Sr., served as the lead singer for the R&B band The Main Ingredient, best known for their hit song “Everybody Plays the Fool.” His paternal grandfather hailed from Barbados. In 1972, Gooding’s father moved the family to Los Angeles, though he left a few years later. Despite this early challenge, Cuba maintained a positive attitude and excelled academically. He attended four different high schools, serving as class president at three of them. During high school, he met Sara Kapfer, whom he dated for several years before the two married in March 1994. After graduating, Gooding spent three years studying Japanese martial arts before deciding to pursue acting.
Cuba Gooding Jr Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Cuba Mark Gooding Jr.
January 2, 1968 New York City, U.S.
|
|---|---|
| Education | Apple Valley High School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Spouse |
Sara Kapfer
(m. 1994; div. 2017) |
| Children | 3, including Mason Gooding |
| Parent(s) | Cuba Gooding Sr. Shirley Sullivan |
| Relatives | Omar Gooding (brother) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Cuba Gooding Jr
Cuba Mark Gooding Jr. is an American actor. After his breakthrough role as Tre Styles in Boyz n the Hood, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor playing a football star in Jerry Maguire.
Cuba Gooding Jr Wiki
- Born: 2 January 1968 (age 57 years), The Bronx, New York, United States
- Children: Mason Gooding, Spencer Gooding, Piper Gooding
- Siblings: Omar Gooding, Tommy Gooding, April Gooding
- Parents: Cuba Gooding Sr., Shirley Gooding
- Awards: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role ·
Early Life and Education
Born in the Bronx, New York City, Gooding is the son of Shirley Sullivan, a singer, and Cuba Gooding Sr., lead vocalist of the soul group The Main Ingredient. He has three siblings: April, Omar, and Thomas. His paternal grandfather, Dudley MacDonald Gooding, was originally from Barbados.
The family relocated to Los Angeles in 1972 following the success of The Main Ingredient’s hit song “Everybody Plays the Fool.” Two years later, his father left the family. Raised by his mother, 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. Demonstrating strong leadership, he served as class president at three of them. He became a born-again Christian at the age of 13.
Cuba Gooding Jr. Facts
Where does Cuba Gooding Jr. live? And how much money does Cuba Gooding Jr. earn?
| Birth Date | 2-1-1968 |
| Heritage/origin | American |
| Ethnicity | Afro-American |
| Religion – believes in God? | Non-religious |
| Residence | He lives together in a house in New York City, New York, United States. |
Cuba Gooding Jr. Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth | 12 million Dollar |
| Yearly Salary | N/A |
| Colleagues | Sarah Paulson & Terrence Howard |
Cuba Gooding Jr.: Wife, Dating, Family & Friends
| Relationship status | Married (Since 1994) |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Current Wife of Cuba Gooding Jr. | Sara Kapfer |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives | |
| Has any kids? | Yes, father of: Spencer, Mason, Piper |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Omar Gooding (Brother)
- Tommy Gooding (Brother)
- April Gooding (Sister)
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This cool friendly fun actor originating from The Bronx, New York City, United States has a thin body & oval face type.
| Hair color | Black |
| Hair type | Straight |
| Hair Length | short hair |
| Hairstyle | chic |
| Distinct feature | chin |
| Skin Tone/Complexion | Type VI: Black brown skin |
| Skin Type | Normal |
| Beard or Mustache | Beardless |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height | 178 cm |
| Weight | 72 kilo |
| Feet size | N/A |
| Does Cuba Gooding Jr. smoke? | No, never |
| Does Cuba Gooding Jr. have a tattoo? | No |
FAQs
What is Cuba Gooding Jr.’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Cuba Gooding Jr. has an estimated net worth of $12 million, accumulated through his successful acting career in both film and television.
How old is Cuba Gooding Jr. now?
Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, which makes him 57 years old in 2025.
Where does Cuba Gooding Jr. currently reside?
Cuba Gooding Jr. currently lives in New York City, New York, where he owns a stylish and comfortable home.
Is Cuba Gooding Jr. involved in any religious practice?
Although he became a born-again Christian at age 13, Cuba Gooding Jr. is currently considered non-religious and does not publicly affiliate with a specific faith.
Does Cuba Gooding Jr. have any famous siblings?
Yes, his brother Omar Gooding is also an actor, best known for roles in television and film. He also has a brother named Tommy and a sister named April.
Has Cuba Gooding Jr. ever smoked or had tattoos?
Cuba Gooding Jr. is known for maintaining a clean image—he does not smoke and does not have any tattoos.