Once Tinseltown’s top leading man, Gooding is co-starring in “The Firing Squad,” a Christian film based on a true story about prisoners who find Christ as they await execution in an Indonesian prison.
Kevin Sorbo and newcomer James Barrington round out the cast.
Gooding Jr. has faced several sexual abuse accusations in recent years. AP
Gooding gave a speech introducing the movie and quipped to Weissman, “I thought you were going to have fried chicken and hot dogs, but you got like real rich-people food.”
Gooding Jr.’s girlfriend Claudine De Niro has stood by his side through the scandals. Getty Images
The “Jerry MaGuire” star, who’s no stranger to karaoke , belts out “Amazing Grace” in one of the scenes. We’re told he stood up in front of the screen during that moment.
His girlfriend Claudine De Niro, Greg Bello, controversial Florida pol Fabian Basabe , Petra Khashoggi, Danny Baker, Marci and Michael Warren, Peter Cook and his wife Alba Jancou were among the crowd.
Sources told Page Six that Gooding is focusing on work again after facing several sexual assault accusations, including pleading guilty to forcibly touching a woman . He made the rounds in New York last week, including a stop at “Extra,” where he opened up about his fall from grace. He told the outlet his Christian faith has helped him get through the dark times.
Gooding Jr. wants to reclaim his leading man status. Getty Images
“It’s one of those things where I know that I’m here for a reason, and I know that and as long as I do what I do and I’m good at what I do and I’m passionate about what I do, God’s will will be done,” he said.
And as for critics who may think he’s using faith to rehab his tainted image, he said: “It’s that old saying: you can’t please people every time. But people who want to celebrate artistry, that’s my job and that’s my only mission in life.”
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