Cuba Gooding Jr 'almost fainted' after his father questioned Tom Cruise's sexuality to his face

The mortifying incident took place when Cuba Gooding Jr worked alongside Tom Cruise for 'Jerry McGuire'

UPDATED JUN 12, 2023

Cuba Gooding Jr banned his father, Cuba Gooding Sr, from the set of Tom Cruise starrer 'Jerry McGuire' (Stephen Lovekin/JC Olivera/Getty Images)

LOS ANGLES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Cuba Gooding Jr banned his father from a film set for apparently a very embarrassing reason. The Academy Award recipient's father reportedly asked Tom Cruise, "Seriously, are you gay?” The incident took place when the 44-year-old worked alongside Cruise on the huge Hollywood hit movie 'Jerry McGuire'.

"He hugged Tom and said, 'I love you man. Now seriously, are you gay or not?'", the 'Men of Honor' actor recalled, according to The Mirror.

Singer Cuba Gooding Sr. attends the — Singer Cuba Gooding Sr attends the 'Chocolat au Vin' benefit for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital at Capitale on May 28, 2009, in New York City (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Tom Cruise walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 03, 2022 in Northampton, England. — Tom Cruise walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 03, 2022, in Northampton, England (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

'I almost fainted'

Cuba described how awkward the situation became due to his father, saying, "I almost fainted. And thought, please lord let me disappear. Tom just laughed and said ‘no.’” He also spoke about the success of the movie and the hit catchphrase, "Show me the money", for which he is still recognized to this day despite the film getting released way back in 1996.

Cuba Gooding Jr. attends the Ocean Drive Magazine Art Basel cover party at The Ritz Carlton, South Beach on December 2, 2021 in Miami Beach, Florida. — Cuba Gooding Jr attends the Ocean Drive Magazine Art Basel cover party at The Ritz Carlton, South Beach on December 2, 2021, in Miami Beach, Florida (Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images for Ocean Drive)

'I wish I had a wand that would make people disappear'

"It doesn’t go away. I get it all the time", he told The Graham Norton Show. "I get it all the time. I wish I had a wand that would make people disappear whenever they say it." He added, "It’s hard especially when some drunk in a bar asks and finally you say it and he says, ‘no, say it like you said it in the movie.’”

Cuba Gooding Jr. attends as alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet celebrates 20 years at the Close East Lawn on June 15, 2022 in New York City. — Cuba Gooding Jr attends as Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet celebrates 20 years at the Close East Lawn on June 15, 2022, in New York City (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for alice + olivia)

Cuba Gooding Jr reaches settlement in 2020 sexual assault lawsuit

MEAWW previously reported that Cuba Gooding Jr has settled a 2020 lawsuit case just before it was about to go to trial. The 'Radio' and 'Boyz n the Hood' actor on Tuesday, June 6, reached a settlement in the suit, according to a report of The Associated Press, in which he allegedly raped a woman twice in 2013 inside of his New York City hotel room.

Cuba Gooding Jr. Arrives at NYS Supreme Court for sentencing on October 13, 2022 in New York City. The Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr., plead guilty to charges of forcible touching and sex abuse. The criminal charges Gooding plead guilty to were brought against him after a worker at a New York nightclub alleged he forcibly kissed her, while he also faced charges stemming from three other incidents in which he stood accused of forcible touching or abuse. — Cuba Gooding Jr arrives at NYS Supreme Court for sentencing on October 13, 2022, in New York City (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

The calendar entry in the official court record read, "TRIAL OFF" and "Reason for cancellation (on consent) the parties have resolved the matter." The outlet also mentioned that in case the suit went to trial, the woman had to reveal her identity as per law. The ruling in the case was made by Paul A Crotty, as per records. As per her original lawsuit, the unidentified woman alleged that the Academy Award winner initially invited her up to his hotel room and then started to undress in front of her, reported People.