Cuba Gooding Jr. is an American actor who is best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire. He was born in The Bronx, New York City, and began his career as a breakdancer before transitioning to acting. His first major role was in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. He has since starred in numerous films, including As Good as It Gets, Men of Honor, and The Butler. He has also appeared in television shows such as American Crime Story and Empire.