Cuba Gooding Jr's dad Cuba Gooding Sr found dead in car aged 72

 The Oscar winner's father was reportedly found slumped over in his car in Woodland Hills, California, on Thursday

Cuba Gooding Sr. has died at the age of 72.

The singer, actor and father to Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. was found dead on Thursday, reports TMZ.

According to the website, the actor’s father was slumped over in his car, which was parked on a road in Woodland Hills, California.

The fire department attempted CPR when they arrived on the scene shortly after midday, but couldn’t resuscitate him.

Police reportedly found empty alcohol containers in his car and suspect he died from an overdose.

Cuba Gooding Sr. was the lead singer in soul group The Main Ingredient, whose most popular hits include Everybody Plays The Fool and Just Don’t Want To Be lonely.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he also enjoyed a brief solo career on Motown Records.

Police reportedly found empty alcohol containers in his car (Photo: Splash News)He was the lead singer in soul group The Main Ingredient (Photo: Getty Images North America)

As well as Cuba, he and his wife Shirley have three other children together - actor Omar Gooding, musician Tommy and actress April Gooding.

The pair split up in 1974, but tied the knot again in 1995.

Cuba Jr. once revealed he had to ban his dad from the set of Jerry Maguire after he asked if his co-star Tom Cruise was gay.

 Cuba Jr., Cuba Sr, and mum Shirly pose for a picture at a movie premiere in 2007 (Photo: Rex Features)

Appearing on Graham Norton back in 2012, Cuba - who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film - said: "He gave Tom Cruise a hug and said, 'I love you man. Now seriously, are you gay or not?'

"I almost fainted. And thought, please lord let me disappear. Tom just laughed and said "no.'"