A gregarious actor with a smile that lights up the screen, Cuba Gooding, Jr. experienced the highs and lows of show business growing up as the son of his famous singer father. As he explained to the Los Angeles Times on January 5, 1997: "We lived in a big house and had chauffeurs, we'd go backstage at the concerts and then in the fifth grade . . . bang! Rock bottom." When his parents divorced, he moved with his mother, brother and sister out of the limelight and began facing financial hardships, which included stretches of being evicted and living in a car, as well as time on the welfare rolls. While the family was staying in a cheap motel in suburban Orange County, Gooding befriended future personal assistant Shawn Suttles and production company partner Derek Broes, and the three perfected their breakdancing moves, christening themselves the Majestic Vision Breakdancers.

BIOGRAPHY

Restless energy channeled into the relentless pursuit of success transformed teen rap artist the Fresh Prince into Academy Award-nominated leading man and blockbuster movie producer, Will Smith. His witty charisma, infectious spirit and rare versatility transcended racial and generational borders, continually attracting record-breaking crowds to sci-fi adventures, comedies and dramas. He was equally at home shooting a film with Barry Sonnenfeld as he was recording with Snoop Dogg.