WOODLAND HILLS—On Thursday, April 20, after 1 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a body that was found slumped over in a car at the 22100 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills.
The body was identified as 72-year-old Cuba Gooding Sr., the father of Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. Gooding Sr. was a soul singer in the 1970s for the group “The Main Ingredient.” He is best known for his hits, “Everybody Plays the Fool” and “Just Don’t Want to be Lonely.”
Gooding Sr. was found in a 2012 silver Jaguar on the side of Ventura Boulevard. According to reports, the Los Angeles County Fire Department tried resuscitating Gooding, but despite best efforts, he was pronounced dead while on scene. The Los Angeles County coroner was dispatched to the scene of the incident. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but it is being reported that the singer may have died from an overdose.
Fans and celebrities took to social media after hearing the news. Musician Chaka Khan tweeted, “Heartfelt condolences to the family of Cuba Gooding Sr. He was a wonderful talent who sang from the heart and you could always feel it.” Along with Chaka Khan, Nene Leakes, former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star posted to Facebook, “This is so sad. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Cuba Gooding Sr. left behind his wife, Shirley Sullivan, and four children. Omar Gooding and Cuba Gooding Jr., two sons of Gooding Sr., have not spoken out about the death of their father. Gooding Jr. recently appeared in the FX mini-series “The People v. O.J. Simpson” and was nominated for an Emmy award. The family is asking for privacy at this time.
