Omar Gooding is Cuba Gooding Jr.’s younger brother, but he has built a career of his own as an actor, television performer and rapper known as Big O. His credits include the Nickelodeon series Wild & Crazy Kids, sitcoms including Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and Smart Guy, and the 2001 film Baby Boy.
How is Omar Gooding related to Cuba Gooding Jr.?
Omar and Cuba Gooding Jr. are brothers. Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Hollywood Walk of Fame profile identifies Omar as his brother, and Omar referred to Cuba as his brother in a 2019 interview with The Hype Magazine. Omar said in that interview that Cuba is nine years older than he is.
![Cuba Gooding Jr./Simmons,J.K. Way of War-Steelbook [Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G45cJ1a3L._SL160_.jpg)
Their father, Cuba Gooding Sr., was a vocalist with The Main Ingredient. Omar has described growing up around music and said that Cuba left home to pursue his career while Omar was still young. Those details come from Omar’s own account.
What is Omar Gooding known for?
Television roles
Gooding started working in entertainment as a child. His television credits include co-hosting Nickelodeon’s Wild & Crazy Kids, playing Earvin Rodman on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and appearing in Smart Guy. TV Insider’s biography and credits traces his path from early appearances to these roles.
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Baby Boy and film work
In John Singleton’s Baby Boy (2001), Gooding played Sweetpea. He later described the part as a turning point: after years of television work, he felt the film helped audiences take him seriously as a film actor. In the 2019 interview, he recalled getting the role at age 24; that age and his description of the effect are his recollections.
Music as Big O
Gooding has also pursued music under the name Big O. In 2019, he discussed releasing the solo rap album The Excuse. TV Guide lists producing, soundtrack and writing work alongside his acting credits.
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How does Omar Gooding’s career differ from his brother’s?
Both brothers work as actors, but their public career associations differ. Omar is especially associated with youth television, sitcoms, Baby Boy and his music work as Big O. Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Walk of Fame profile highlights his role in Jerry Maguire and his Academy Award. Omar’s career is not limited to being Cuba’s brother: his own credits span television, film and music.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do recent listings say about Omar Gooding’s work?
TV Insider’s credits page currently displays entries dated through 2026, including listings for 2025 and 2026. A database credit listing alone does not establish whether a project has been released, is in production or reflects ongoing activity, so those entries are best treated as credits shown by the page rather than confirmation of a project’s status.
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