Cuba Gooding Jr.: Oscar-Winning Actor of Jerry Maguire and Boyz n the Hood

Cuba Gooding Jr. is an American film, television and stage actor. He is best known for Boyz n the Hood (1991), Jerry Maguire (1996), which won him an Academy Award, and The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016). As of November 2026 he is still working, most recently in the 2026 TV series Paper Empire.

The role people still search for is Rod Tidwell, the brash football star in Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire. That performance won Cuba Gooding Jr. the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997.

Who is Cuba Gooding Jr.?

Full name	Cuba Mark Gooding Jr.
Born	January 2, 1968, The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Age	58 (as of November 2026)
Occupation	Film, television and stage actor; director
Years active	1980s–present
Known for	Boyz n the Hood (1991), Jerry Maguire (1996), Radio (2003), The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016)
Major awards	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1997)
Profiles	Wikipedia · IMDb

Jerry Maguire (1996): Cuba Gooding Jr.’s turning point

Cuba Gooding Jr.’s career changed with Jerry Maguire in 1996. He played Rod Tidwell, an arizona football player who demands that his agent, played by Tom Cruise, “show me the money.” The role won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997.

Before that, he had built a career step by step. He began with guest roles on series such as Hill Street Blues and MacGyver. He also had a small part in Coming to America (1988). His breakthrough came as Tre Styles in John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood (1991). He followed it with A Few Good Men (1992), Judgment Night (1993), Lightning Jack (1994) and Outbreak (1995).

Cuba Gooding Jr. after the Oscar (1997–2014)

Cuba Gooding Jr. moved between drama and comedy after his Oscar win. His dramas included As Good as It Gets (1997), What Dreams May Come (1998), Men of Honor (2000) and Pearl Harbor (2001). In 2001 he appeared as himself in Zoolander, and he played Jerry Robinson in the comedy Boat Trip (2002). Snow Dogs (2002) came out the same year. His lead role in Radio (2003) drew critical praise.

Later films include American Gangster (2007) and Norbit (2007). He played Dr. Ben Carson in the TV film Gifted Hands (2009) and Major Emanuelle Stance in Red Tails (2012). He also played Carter Wilson in Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013) and Fred Gray in Selma (2014).

Cuba Gooding Jr. on television, Broadway and in recent work

Cuba Gooding Jr. made his Broadway debut in 2013 as Ludie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful. He played O. J. Simpson in FX’s The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016), a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. That same year he joined American Horror Story: Roanoke. In 2018 he played Billy Flynn in Chicago, both in the West End and on Broadway. He also directed Bayou Caviar (2018).

His recent screen work includes Skeletons in the Closet (2024) and Dog Patrol: Operation Santa Paws (2025), where he plays Sheriff Jacobs. He also appeared in A Line of Fire (2025) and plays CIA Director Zachary Becker in the series Paper Empire (2026).

Selected film and TV work of Cuba Gooding Jr.

Year	Title	Role	Type
2026	Paper Empire	CIA Director Zachary Becker	TV series
2025	Dog Patrol: Operation Santa Paws	Sheriff Jacobs	Film
2024	Skeletons in the Closet	Andres	Film
2016	The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story	O. J. Simpson	TV series
2014	Selma	Fred Gray	Film
2014	Life of a King	Eugene	Film
2013	Lee Daniels’ The Butler	Carter Wilson	Film
2012	Red Tails	Major Emanuelle Stance	Film
2009	Gifted Hands	Dr. Ben Carson	Film
2007	American Gangster	—	Film
2002	Boat Trip	Jerry Robinson	Film
2001	Zoolander	Himself	Film
1996	Jerry Maguire	Rod Tidwell	Film
1992	A Few Good Men	—	Film
1991	Boyz n the Hood	Tre Styles	Film

Cuba Gooding Jr. awards and recognition

• 1997 – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (win). For his role as Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire (1996).
• 2016 – Primetime Emmy nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. For playing O. J. Simpson in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

FAQ

– What movie made Cuba Gooding Jr. famous?

Cuba Gooding Jr. broke through as Tre Styles in Boyz n the Hood (1991). Jerry Maguire (1996) then made him a star and won him an Academy Award.

– How old is Cuba Gooding Jr.?

Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968. He is 58 (as of November 2026).

– Where was Cuba Gooding Jr. born?

Cuba Gooding Jr. was born in The Bronx, New York City.

– What is Cuba Gooding Jr.’s latest work?

As of November 2026, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s latest released work is the 2026 TV series Paper Empire, in which he plays CIA Director Zachary Becker. Before that he starred in Dog Patrol: Operation Santa Paws (2025).

Header photo: Bandit1155 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0, resized