Coming from a wealthy family certainly has its advantages, and for Tommy Gooding, recognition came swiftly once his relationship with Cuba Gooding Jr. was brought into the limelight.
Gooding, a recognized bass artist and media personality, though his endeavors might appear to pan out yearning for fame, given that he is a musician whose success in the music industry largely depends on public recognition.
Despite this, Gooding has led a life of relative privacy, limiting his musical pursuits to the comfort of his own home and, perhaps, his local community. His career also includes numerous acting roles. While Gooding does not actively seek fame and fortune, it’s undeniable that grace has a knack for elevating the humble.
Profile Summary
| Name | Tommy Gooding |
| Age | 44 years old |
| Date of Birth | June 3rd, 1980 |
| Gender | Male |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Children | Tomara Elise Gooding |
| Siblings | Omar, Cuba Jr, and April |
| spouse | Seydurah Avecmoi |
| Occupation | Music producer and director |
| Net Worth | 300,000 USD |
Tommy Gooding Biography
Tommy Gooding’s life journey began on June 3, 1980. Born to Cuba Gooding Sr. and Shirley Sullivan, he grew up in the Bronx, United States, deeply rooted in the Christian faith. By the way, Tommy Gooding is also identified as Thomas Gooding, just as Gina Sasso’s ex-husband, Thomas Mikal Ford, is identified as Tommy Ford.
Far removed from the prevalent crime and disorder that characterized the Bronx, Tommy Gooding led a peaceful life that would yield significant rewards in his future. No records indicate Gooding’s involvement in gang activities throughout his childhood and adolescence.
He grew up alongside his siblings, Omar, Cuba Jr., and April, in the Bronx before relocating to Los Angeles, California, in 1997. This move followed his father’s big break with the release of “Everybody Plays the Fool,” a hit single released in collaboration with his music group, The Main Ingredient.
Education played a significant role in Tommy’s upbringing. He attended a local school where he gained essential social skills before enrolling at Five Towns College. Here, the world of music performance was fully unveiled to him. It was from this institution that Gooding would launch his career.
Career
Cuba Gooding Sr. inadvertently set a high standard through his passionate pursuit of music, a path his children also chose to traverse. While Cuba Gooding Jr. ventured into the world of visual entertainment, making a name for himself in Hollywood, Tommy closely emulated his father, harboring a strong inclination towards creating music.
While Tommy was never actively involved in the music creation process, he found his niche in directing it, a skill he honed while working with his father’s band. Gooding was instrumental in overseeing every process necessary to ensure the success of his father’s band.
After the band’s dissolution, he took this skillset to other groups, achieving considerable success. He collaborated with several bands, including Circular Time, GQ, and JJ Sansavarino, refining his expertise further. He also perfected his lyrical techniques with Goodbrown Music, greatly enhancing everything that emerged from their collaborations.
Gooding’s earlier engagements in music can be characterized as his heyday, but with the advent of the 2000s, he pivoted, shifting away from freelance music production and transitioning into mainstream entertainment. Similar to his older brother, Cuba Jr., Tommy appeared as an actor in TV shows such as Comedy Sketch TV Time, Okay? Whatever It Takes: When Blood Runs Cold, and Human Resource.
In addition to acting, Tommy Gooding is a proficient bass guitar player. He offers skills on freelance and has shared the stage with notable acts such as the Vintage Soul Band, Deverne Williams, Darly Johnson, Kevin Williams, Glenn D. Gibson, and Tom Griffin Jr.
Tommy Gooding’s Siblings
Tommy Gooding, the youngest of four siblings in a family of six, including his parents, shares his family’s entertainment legacy. His siblings, in order of seniority, are April Gooding, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Omar Gooding. Like their father, they each carved their own paths in the entertainment industry.
April Gooding, born on January 2, 1967, has also ventured into the movie industry. She has appeared in several series, including InAPPropriate Comedy and Night Into Day.
Cuba Gooding Jr., born on January 2, 1968, is a well-established Hollywood star with notable roles in films such as A Few Good Men, Tuskegee Airmen, Outbreak, and Jerry Maguire.
Omar Gooding was born on October 9, 1976. He is actively involved in movie production and featured in series such as Family Time, Smart Guy, and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. Omar is also a rapper who performs under the stage name Big O.
Tommy Gooding’s Marital status
Tommy Gooding married Seydurah Avecmoi in 2019 after a decade-long courtship. The couple celebrated their union at a church wedding. They’ve been together for a long time and have a daughter named Tamara Elise Gooding, who was born in October 2000.
In contrast, his siblings have five children: Mason and Spencer Gooding, and a niece, Piper Gooding, are Cuba Jr.’s children, while Omar is the father of Omar Dari Jr. and Miles Gooding.
Seydurah Avecmoi, like Tommy, is also an entertainer. She is a vocalist who has graced various stages, including The Porch in Harlem and Elise’s Rooftop Lounge. She often performs alongside her husband at numerous shows.
Tommy Gooding’s Net Worth
Gooding has been able to make a steady income from a life shrouded completely away from fame; he had operated from behind the scenes, manning the engine room to any great production and leaving imprints hallmarking the sigils of legends.
However, his accumulated income only reflects the simplicity of his endeavors. He has accumulated a total of 300,000 USD of net worth from his career as a bass artist and movie appearances.
Tommy Gooding’s Father
Cuba Mark Gooding Sr. was born on April 27, 1944, to Dudley MacDonald Gooding and his wife, Addie Alston. Gooding Sr., the son of a political apologist and a taxi driver, was named Cuba after his mother’s passing, which prompted his father to vow to give their first child that name.
Cuba spent the early years of his life in the Bronx, choosing to move only in 1970 after marrying Shirley Sullivan. Fully immersing himself in music, he debuted as a backup singer with the band, The Main Ingredient. Following the unfortunate passing of Donald McPherson due to leukemia in 1971, Cuba stepped into the role of lead singer. With The Main Ingredient, Cuba released a number of songs, one of which included the hit single “Everybody Plays the Fool.”
He parted ways with the group 1998 to focus on personal development and pursue his solo career. Cuba later joined Motown Records and released two albums under his own name. He achieved international success following a collaboration with Brian Auger on the 1983 hit “Happiness is Just Around the Bend.” This international hit has stood the test of time, transcending generations. Its influential beat has been sampled in numerous R&B songs and was used as the basis for UK hardcore rave group Altern-8 in 1991.
Sooner than anticipated, Cuba made a surprising return to The Main Ingredient and released two more albums.
Cuba ultimately built a career defined by successful albums released over the course of several years. Away from his professional triumphs, Cuba’s personal life was notably complex.
He developed a deep affection for Shirley Sullivan, whom he married, divorced in 1974, and then remarried in 1998. Throughout his marriage, Cuba fathered four children: Omar, Cuba Jr., April, and Thomas (Tommy).
His life came to an abrupt end at the age of 72, just a week shy of his 73rd birthday on April 20. He was found deceased in his car parked on a street in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.
Despite the immediate response from the fire department and numerous attempts at CPR, they could not revive him. An autopsy revealed that Cuba had passed away from natural causes.