15 Things You Didn't Know About Cuba Gooding Jr.

He showed us the money, but we're showing you the facts.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. 15 Things You Didn't Know About

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Cuba Gooding, Jr. 15 Things You Didn't Know About

15 Things You Didn't Know About Cuba Gooding Jr. - Cuba Gooding Jr.'s got about 81 film and television credits to his name, including the classic Boyz n the Hood, where we first noticed his strength as an actor. But did you know these fun facts about the thespian? (Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

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<p><b>15 Things You Didn't Know About <a href="/content/bet/topics/c/cuba-gooding-jr.html">Cuba Gooding Jr.</a></

Cuba's Got Moves - Did you know that Gooding was a backup dancer for Paula Abdul? (Photo: Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

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<p><b><a href="/content/bet/topics/c/cuba-gooding-jr.html">Cuba</a>'s Got Moves</b><br> </p>

Photo By Photo: Harry Langdon/Getty Images

Good Wins the Gold - Gooding won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Rod Tidwell in the movie Jerry Maguire. (Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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<p><b>Good Wins the Gold</b></p>

Photo By Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

Don't Test His Gangster - Gooding is originally from the Bronx. (Photo: TriStar/Getty Images)

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<p><b>Don't Test His Gangster </b><br> </p>

Photo By Photo: TriStar/Getty Images

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You'll Remember My Name - In 2002, Gooding's contributions to the film industry were recognized when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo: Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage)

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<p><b>You'll Remember My Name</b><br> </p>

Must Be the Money - According to IMDB, he made $1.5 million dollars for the film Men of Honor. (Photo: Getty Images)

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<p><b>Must Be the Money</b><br> </p>

Photo By Getty Images

Olympian...Sort Of - When he was 16 years old, Gooding performed in the closing ceremony of the 1984 summer Olympics along with Lionel Richie. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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<p><b>Olympian...Sort Of</b><br> </p>

Put 'Em in the Game, Coach! - He's an avid hockey player and reportedly has a rink in his backyard. (Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images/NHLI)

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<p><b>Put 'Em in the Game, Coach!</b><br> </p>

Photo By Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images/NHLI

Stardom in His Blood - Cuba Gooding Jr.’s dad, Cuba Gooding Sr., was the lead vocalist for the R&amp;B group The Main Ingredient, who recorded the song “Everybody Plays the Fool.” (Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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<p><b>Stardom in His Blood</b><br> </p>

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Knowing His Role - He turned down the lead role of Cinque in the film Amistad. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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<p><b>Knowing His Role</b></p>

Photo By Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

You Don't Want None - Gooding has a keen interest in Japanese martial arts, which he studied for three years. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

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<p><b>You Don't Want None</b><br> </p>

Island Roots - Cuba Gooding Jr.'s paternal grandfather was from Barbados. (Photo: Didier Baverel/WireImage)

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<p><b>Island Roots</b><br> </p>

Photo By Photo: Didier Baverel/WireImage

#Winning - In 1986, Cuba Gooding Jr. appeared in the California Shakespeare Festival and won first place for his role as Othello. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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<p><b>#Winning</b><br> </p>

Puppy Love - While he was in high school,&nbsp;Gooding fell in love with Sara Kapfer, whom he married in March of 1994. Unfortunately, the two divorced in 2014. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

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<p><b>Puppy Love</b><br> </p>

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Hitting the Ground Running - As soon as he&nbsp;started&nbsp;thinking seriously about acting,&nbsp;Gooding was able to land&nbsp;guest roles in popular series like Hill Street Blues and MacGyver.(Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

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<p><b>Hitting the Ground Running</b><br> </p>

Key to the City Like Diddy - His father is a Goodwill Ambassador to Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico, a coastal resort city located about 20 minutes from San Diego, California. In December of 2009, Gooding received a key from then Mayor Torres. (Photo: Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)

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<p><b>Key to the City Like Diddy</b><br> </p>