Cuba Gooding Sr., the father of Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and the lead singer of the soul group The Main Ingredient, passed away on April 20, 2017, at the age of 72. His death shocked and saddened many fans and celebrities who admired his musical talent and charismatic personality. But what was the cause of his death? How did he die of natural causes?
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Hypertensive and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
According to ET Online, the autopsy results obtained by them revealed that Cuba Gooding Sr. died of natural causes, listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This is a medical term that describes a condition where the arteries become hardened and narrowed due to high blood pressure and plaque buildup, which can lead to heart attack and/or stroke.
According to WebMD, hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a common cause of death among older adults, especially those who have risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and family history. The symptoms of this condition may include chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, and numbness.
Found Dead in His Car
Cuba Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on April 20, 2017, in Woodland Hills, California. According to Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter, there was alcohol found in the car and possible drug paraphernalia. However, drugs and alcohol are not mentioned in the documents so far obtained by ET Online.
It is not clear whether Cuba Gooding Sr. had any signs of distress or pain before he died. His son, Cuba Gooding Jr., shared a photo of his father’s Motown group, The Main Ingredient’s, greatest hits album on Instagram, captioned “Eternal” after his death.
A Legendary Soul Singer
Cuba Gooding Sr. was best known as the lead singer of The Main Ingredient, a soul group that had several hits in the 1970s, such as “Everybody Plays the Fool”, “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely”, “Happiness Is Just Around the Bend”, and “Rolling Down a Mountainside” . He joined the group as a backup vocalist in 1964 and became the lead singer after the original lead singer Donald McPherson died of leukemia in 1971.
He also had a solo career on Motown Records in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making two albums. His biggest international success was Brian Auger’s “Happiness Is Just Around the Bend” in 1983. He returned to The Main Ingredient in 1980 and made two more albums for RCA Victor.
He was also developing a film project called Everybody Plays the Fool: The Cuba Gooding Story before his death. The film highlights three generations of the Gooding Family: Dudley “Cuba” Gooding, Cuba Gooding Sr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Omar Gooding.
Cuba Gooding Sr. was survived by his wife Shirley Sullivan and his four children: Cuba Jr., Omar, April, and Tommy. He also had several grandchildren, including Mason Gooding, who is also an actor.
Cuba Gooding Sr. was a talented and beloved singer who left behind a legacy of soulful music and a family of successful entertainers. His cause of death was natural, but his life was extraordinary. He will be missed by many who appreciated his voice and his spirit.
