Cuba Gooding, Jr. Biography

His performance as high-maintenance NFL star Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire (1996) made Cuba Gooding, Jr. a star. (“Show me the money!” — Tidwell’s demand of his agent, played by Tom Cruise — became an enduring pop culture catch phrase.) The role won Gooding a 1997 Oscar as best supporting actor. Throughout his career, Gooding has mixed dramas like Boyz ‘N the Hood (1991) and Men of Honor (2000, co-starring Robert DeNiro) with extra-nutty comedies like the frantic Rat Race (2001) and the I’m-not-really-gay flick Boat Trip (2002). He had a surprise hit with the Disney comedy Snow Dogs (2002). His other films include The Fighting Temptations (2003), Radio (2003, co-starring Ed Harris), and Shadowboxer (2005, with Helen Mirren). He played neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson in the 2009 TV film Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.