Oscar winner will star in a biopic called 'Gifted Hands'

Cuba Gooding Jr. has taken his first TV role in more than a decade, signing on to star in a movie for TNT.

Gooding will play the title role in "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story," a biography of neurosurgeon and best-selling author Ben Carson. The film is part of the cable network's " Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation" franchise.

"'Gifted Hands' is more than just an inspirational tale of overcoming seemingly impossible odds to succeed," says Michael Wright, head of Turner's content creation group. "It's that rare story of finding something deeper and more meaningful in life, while facing the challenges of the world with faith, hope and courage. We are honored to be making this film and to have Cuba Gooding Jr. in the lead role."

The movie will tell the life story of Carson, who grew up in inner-city Detroit as the child of a single mother who pushed him to excel academically. He went on to college and medical school and is currently the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.

Thomas Carter ("Coach Carter," "Damages") will direct "Gifted Hands" and is also one of its executive producers. John Pielmeier ("Sins of the Father," "The Memory Keeper's Daughter") is writing the script.

Gooding won an Oscar for his work in 1996's "Jerry Maguire." His credits also include "Boyz N the Hood," "Radio," "American Gangster" and the 1995 HBO movie "The Tuskegee Airmen," his last work for the small screen.