Cuba Gooding Sr., soul singer and father of actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., has passed away at the age of 72. Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on Thursday in Woodland Hills, CA, ABC confirms.
The lead singer of Main Ingredient was discovered slumped over in his parked silver Jaguar. Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told reporters at the scene, confirming Gooding Sr.’s identity and that he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to TMZ.
Winter said that the investigation into Gooding Sr.’s death is ongoing, and cause of death will not be determined until an autopsy is completely done. “There was alcohol found in the car…and possible drug parephernalia,” he noted.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department revealed to ET that they received a call for a medical response at Woodland Hills at 12:58 p.m. on Thursday.
“There was no transport provided,” they said. “An adult male was determined dead on scene.”
The New York City native had served as a backup singer for Main Ingredient before getting the lead role in 1971, after the death of former lead singer Donald McPherson. The soul group earned various gold singles, including “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely,” “Happiness is Just Around the Bend,” “Rolling Down a Mountainside” and their million-selling hit with 1972’s “Everybody Plays the Fool,” Rolling Stone reports.
Gooding Sr.’s son, Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr., was seen in Toronto, Canada, on the set of Year in a Life, just a day before the sad news broke.
He had three other children with wife Shirley Gooding, Omar, April, and musician Tommy Gooding.
“We ask that everyone respect our privacy at this time. Thank you,” Omar later said in a statement released to ET.
