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Tags: US | Obit | Cuba Gooding Sr

Singer Cuba Gooding Sr. Found Dead in Car in Los Angeles

Singer Cuba Gooding Sr. Found Dead in Car in Los Angeles
Cuba Gooding Sr. (AP)

Friday, 21 April 2017 08:53 AM EDT

Cuba Gooding Sr., who sang the 1972 hit "Everybody Plays the Fool," has died.

Authorities say the 72-year-old singer and father of Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. was found dead in a car Thursday in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles.

Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter says the cause of death is under investigation, but drug paraphernalia and alcohol were found in the car parked on a busy street.

The elder Gooding rose to fame for "Everybody Plays the Fool," which he sang with the rhythm-and-blues group The Main Ingredient. The song helped the family move from the Bronx to Southern California.

Cuba Gooding Sr.'s own father fled Barbados and went to Cuba — hence the name of his son — before becoming a taxi driver in Manhattan.

An email message to Gooding Jr.'s agent was not immediately returned.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


US
Cuba Gooding Sr., who sang the 1972 hit "Everybody Plays the Fool," has died. Authorities say the 72-year-old singer and father of Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. was found dead in a car Thursday in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles....
US, Obit, Cuba Gooding Sr
138
2017-53-21
Friday, 21 April 2017 08:53 AM
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