Cuba Gooding Jr.

[John McHenry]

Is their a more failed actor?

He wins an Oscar in 1996 which should mean he's been in blockbuster movies ever since. He should by all means be in at the very least most Will Smith roles. But instead he does straight to DVD shit fest. Since 2000 he's done about one major movie every 2-3 years but usually just a bit part.

Any opinions on what happened? Was his win just a huge error?

 

[PHX]

It's pretty indescribable as to why he never took off bigger than he has. He's been in classics such as Boyz in the hood and of course Jerry Maguire. Then 2000 on Men of Honor and Radio were really good but outside of that it's been bad movies or straight to DVD movies as you said though I didn't mind Boat Trip. Given the early classic movies he was in he should be at least a B lister nowadays but it just didn't play out like that for him. He's a good example of why you just don't take any role esp after having early success.

 

[The Cork]

It's more a case of people can do what he does, better, so why choose him for a lead anymore.....he has no appeal.

His bit-part in American Gangster was the last I saw of him, and although he was perfectly fine in that, it didn't really scream "brilliant actor". Don't forget how long Mickey Rourke's career was finished before one big break resurrected his shit.

As for there being a more failed actor, look at someone like Steven Segal or Adam Sandler, making the exact same movie rinse and repeat.

 

[John McHenry]

It's more a case of people can do what he does, better, so why choose him for a lead anymore.....he has no appeal.

His bit-part in American Gangster was the last I saw of him, and although he was perfectly fine in that, it didn't really scream "brilliant actor". Don't forget how long Mickey Rourke's career was finished before one big break resurrected his shit.

As for there being a more failed actor, look at someone like Steven Segal or Adam Sandler, making the exact same movie rinse and repeat.

Yeah but the supposed measuring stick for an actor is an Oscar. Cuba has an Oscar (which is why he should be in the above mentioned type roles) they don't so by that measurement Cuba has failed more.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

One Oscar doesn't mean he should be a great actor. He picks the roles he enjoys most. Snow Dogs should have gotten him an Oscar nod I think.

 

[Keith]

Yeah but the supposed measuring stick for an actor is an Oscar. Cuba has an Oscar (which is why he should be in the above mentioned type roles) they don't so by that measurement Cuba has failed more.

Besides Segal and Sandler have always been shit and have never shown any signs of being good actors.

As well as JM would also say that As Good as it Gets is a good Cuba performance, but it takes a little more than a couple of good performances and a Oscar to convince me he is anything special.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

His part in Red Tails was subpar at best.