When I won the Oscar, I fell into that mind-set that this is a precious role. People everywhere were shouting, ‘Show me the money!’ I just didn’t want anything that could parody the fact that I was like a tagline in a movie. So when Steven Spielberg offered me ‘Amistad,’ I said no; when ‘Hotel Rwanda’ came along, I said no. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
It’s the director’s job to piece together my performance, his interpretation of my takes, each take, and string them together and make a statement. I’m red paint on a canvas for a painter. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
I understand it all. I can write my own ticket for one or two movies. But if they’re not the right ones, my ticket gets yanked. I understand that’s how it works, and I’m okay with it. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
I don’t choose parts. I choose filmmakers. I’m done trying to make a statement with a character. What happens is, I craft a performance from the beginning to the end of the character. Then I release it to the director, and he interprets what I gave him. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
I’ve been given that gift of working with Jack Nicholson and James Coburn and certain people who just out of nowhere break into stories – talking about working with Alfred Hitchcock or Kubrick. That’s my real reward of my career. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
I think the biggest compliment an actor can have is if people forget who they’re watching and get lost in the character. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
The roles that I always get attracted to are roles where the material is based on an actual person. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
Our job as artists is to reflect the ills of society sometimes and to find a truth in that, and I think you can’t start the healing process until you recognize the truth and all of its ugly warts and all. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
I was a fan of football. I was more of a Raiders fan, but I knew who O.J. was. I knew The Juice, and I remember the Hertz commercials with him running to the airport and whatnot. So he was a highbrow celebrity in my eyes. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
Before I was an actor I was a break dancer, one of those street performers you see. I guess my introduction into the professional world of performing was a stint as back up dancer for Lionel Richie and I performed at the closing ceremony at the ’84 Olympics. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Read Quote
