Black Men/Silver Screen | The Emasculated Man

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Since winning a Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire, Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s career has been stalled in neutral. After giving solid performances in early films, Boyz ‘N the Hood and A Few Good Men, Gooding’s performance as football player Rod Tidwell won him the industry’s highest honor. What happened next to “Mr. Show Me the Money” was one bad decision followed after another. Aside from Men of Honor and Radio, Gooding appeared in a succession of two title bombs including, Chill Factor, Rat Race, Snow Dogs and Boat Trip. With an opportunity to play meatier roles in independent films, Dirty and Shadowboxer, Gooding seeks to reclaim his long-lost acting respect. The jury is still out after a throwaway performance in Norbit.

Up Next: Gooding takes over for Eddie Murphy in the comedy, Daddy Day Camp and plays drug lord Nicky Barnes in the November release, American Gangster.

Cinematic Forefather
Howard Rollins, Jr.

As Sidney Poitier was entering into the twilight of his fabulous career and before Denzel Washington’s rise to prominence, Howard Rollins developed quite a reputation as the “next” Black leading man. This Baltimore, Maryland native’s big break came when he was cast as Coalhouse Walker in the 1981 film, Ragtime. Rollins was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Golden Globe for his performance. His final important big screen performance was role in A Soldier’s Story. Playing a Black Army Captain investigating a murder mystery, Rollins’ understated passionate performance would be his career apex. Ironically, Rollins was cast as Detective Virgil Tibbs in the TV show, In the Heat of the Night, a role that Poitier had originated twenty years earlier. Rollins died prematurely from complications from lymphoma in 1996.

Next Generation
Nick Cannon

In the past seven years, Nick Cannon has emerged from under the proverbial radar to become one of the industry rising stars. Cannon shot to stardom initially as a writer for Kenan & Kel, but soon had his own show. The success of The Nick Cannon Show had Hollywood seeking out his talent. He starred in several moderately successful films, including Drumline, Love Don’t Cost A Thing, Roll Bounce and Underclassman. In addition to performing and producing music, this 26-year old multi-faceted entertainer, has explored sketch comedy producing the MTV show, "Wild ‘N Out" and "Short Circuitz."

Up Next: Cannon appears in the horror sequel, Day of the Dead.