Omar Gooding

Omar Miles Gooding was born on October 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, to Cuba Gooding Sr. and Shirley Sullivan. His father was the lead singer for The Main Ingredient, and his older brother is Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. Gooding attended North Hollywood High School, graduating in 1994. He began his professional career in the late 1980s, gradually building a filmography that showcases his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. Gooding’s early career involved hosting the Nickelodeon television show *Wild & Crazy Kids* from 1990 to 1992, which provided him with initial exposure to a wider audience.

Throughout his career, Gooding has appeared in numerous television series and films. Notable television credits include *Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper* from 1992 to 1997, where he portrayed Earvin Rodman for 73 episodes, and *Smart Guy* from 1997 to 1999 as Morris L. “Mo” Tibbs. He also played a main role as Calvin Palmer Jr. in the television adaptation of *Barbershop* in 2005 and appeared as a recurring cast member on *Deadwood* in 2006. In film, he received critical recognition for his role as Sweetpea in John Singleton’s *Baby Boy* (2001) and had a role in *Ghost Dad* (1990).

Beyond acting, Gooding has ventured into producing and writing. He served as a producer for several projects, including *Family Time* for 10 episodes in 2014, and has producer credits on upcoming films like *Probation Violation* and *News Cycle*. He also wrote two episodes of *Family Time* between 2017 and 2018. Additionally, Gooding pursued a music career as a hip-hop artist under the moniker Big O, releasing his solo album *The Excuse* in 2019 and touring in the musical *Redemption of a Dogg*.