Cuba Gooding Jr. Talks Playing Himself as a Drug Addict in Comedy Central Series

*Cuba Gooding Jr. has been quietly starring in Comedy Central’s first serialized sitcom “Big Time in Hollywood, FL,” a series about delusional siblings Ben and Jack Dolfe – both thirty-something, still living with their parents and convinced they are brilliant filmmakers. In reality, however, they make cheap cop films at their house for their YouTube channel.

When their parents finally kick them out, they have the nerve to be outraged. The pair hatch a scheme to swindle $20,000 from their parents as revenge. They recruit recovering addict and aspiring actor (Ben Stiller) to portray a drug lord who kidnaps their neighbor/assistant Del for ransom. Instead of paying the money, his Mom – sincerely worried for Del – calls the Drug Enforcement Administration instead, sending their whole plan spiraling toward mayhem, death (literally) and destruction.

Enter Cuba Gooding Jr., who plays himself – in rehab. …As a cocaine addict.

Ben and Jack eventually end up in rehab with the famous actor, who happens to be in deep trouble with a drug cartel and inevitably gets mixed up with the Dolfe brothers.

Gooding says he was initially reluctant to take the role because he would be playing himself.

“My agents called me and said you have this offer to do this series on Comedy Central. Ben Stiller’s involved in it, actually has a role in it, and they want you to play a role,” Gooding told the TCA in January. “I said, ‘Okay. Great. Send it.’

“‘Well, before you read it, just understand, they want you to play yourself. They want you to play the character of Cuba Gooding, Jr.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t do that. I don’t feel comfortable doing that.’ I don’t feel comfortable playing myself because I want people to take the next role I do as the role, and not Cuba Gooding, Jr. And they were like, ‘We get it, but just watch the pilot.”’ I said, ‘Fine.’”

Below, Gooding explains how things took a turn when he watched the pilot:

The season finale of “Big Time in Hollywood, FL” airs tonight at 10:30 on Comedy Central.

Watch a clip featuring Gooding below:

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