Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Actor 

Cuba Gooding Jr. is best known for his Oscar winning portrayal of the charmingly arrogant professional football player, Rod Tidwell, in Jerry Maguire. Starring opposite Tom Cruise in the Cameron Crowe directed film, Cuba solidified his position as one of Hollywood's most talented actors. In addition to the Academy Award, Gooding was also honored with the Screen Actors Guild Award, The Broadcasters Film Critics Award, The Critics Choice Award and the Chicago Film Critics Award for this role.

Goodings break-out movie role was the irascible Tre Styles in the 1991 John Singleton coming-of-age classic Boyz n the Hood, and has gained recognition in films including the critically acclaimed Men of Honor where he played the first African-American to reach the rank of Master Chief Diver in the U.S. Navy, opposite Robert DeNiro. Gooding also appeared in the Oscar nominated A Few Good Men, What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams, and the heart-warming comedy As Good as It Gets, with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.

Distinguished and versatile, Gooding often shows his acting chops by taking on roles that are diverse and eclectic as currently exhibited by his turns in both the independent heartfelt comedy What Love Is with Matthew Lillard and Ann Heche as well as the gritty police drama Dirty with Clifton Collins Jr.

Gooding currently appears alongside Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in Ridley Scotts crime drama. American Gangster tells the harrowing true story of a 1970s drug lord who used the coffins of American soldiers returning from Vietnam to smuggle heroin into Harlem. Gooding once again shows his yen for characterization by playing a vicious competitive drug lord, Nicky Barnes, opposite Washington's title character, Frank Lucas.

Perhaps one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, Gooding recently wrapped the drama Hero Wanted with Ray Liotta and the drama Linewatch, portraying a patrol guard on the Mexican border whose loyalty to his past gets him in over his head. He will also star in the comedy Harold, a Napoleon Dynamite-esque film in which Gooding's character, an affable school janitor, befriends a twelve-year-old boy who has trouble fitting in. That ensemble cast includes Ally Sheedy, Amy Poehler, Chris Parnell and Spencer Breslin in the title role. He has also wrapped the drama The Way of War and is currently filming Ice 44.

In 2002, Gooding received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring his achievements as is currently involved in several charities including The Boys Club of America. Cuba Gooding Jr. resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

The perfect celebrity speaker, Gooding combines warmth and charm with witty, yet inspirational tales from inside the world of Hollywood.

Booking Cuba Gooding Jr. as your keynote speaker is an outstanding way to close out a corporate event or annual business meeting. Always a hit with younger audiences, he also provides an inspiring voice at a commencement exercise or youth meeting.