The Book of Irwin Gould (IDG)

By Irwin Gould

Irwin David Gould, Jr., takes readers on an incredible journey that begins on the shores of his tropical island home to appearing in some of Hollywood's hottest films. Although snagging impressive roles in blockbusters, such as Bad Boys II, Transporter 2, and Miami Vice, Irwin's path to success is an unli

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Book of Irwin Gould (IDG)
• Release date: Apr 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9781961227835

Irwin Gould

Irwin David Gould, Jr. is a longtime resident of Boca Raton, Fla., where he is a successful businessman in the detailing and construction industries. Irwin believes in the transformative power of education and is an advocate for life-long learning. When he is not at work, Irwin can be found at his local gym keeping his physique in tip-top shape in preparation for his next big role.

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Copyright © 2024 by Irwin Gould

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the author. For permission requests, solicit the author via the address below.

The Book of Irwin Gould (IDG)

Salvation Saves the Soul

Contact Information: 305-491-7865

Visit www.irwingould.com for more information

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

Dedication

PART I

EARLY LIFE/GRANDMOTHER’S INFLUENCE

The Family that Prays Together

Growing Up Caribbean

Declaring My Independence: The Toll of Unbridled Discipline

(Almost) Not Surviving Hurricane Hugo

Hugo’s Aftermath

A Taste of the Big Apple

Rosetta Maxwell, My Hero

An Unexpected Goodbye

PART II

BIG BREAK/LIFE ON THE BIG SCREEN

And So it Begins

Doors Begin to Open

TUI Italy

Aerosmith Video Vs. Bad Boys II Movie

Lights, Cameras, Action!

Bad Boys II Casting

Doing the Work

A Memorable Experience On Set

Small Roles, Big Opportunities

Counting My Blessings

Lasting Impressions

Dealing with Rejection

A Key Takeaway

The Fulfillment of Purpose

Show Me the Money

Managing Public Exposure

Work-Life Balance

The Gift of Entertainment

COVID’s Impact

What I Need You to Know

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank God for His immense grace that has guided me in every season of my life. To my publisher, Mark Glenn and Jess Paige, thank you for believing in this project and seeing it through to the end. To my co-author, Cynthia Graham, I am incredibly grateful for your professionalism and your commitment to helping me tell my story. I am thankful to my family, friends, parents, and agents past and present, including Susan Applegate, for your unwavering support and championing my dreams.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my grandmother, Rosetta Maxwell, who has meant the world to me. It took me some time to tell my story, of which you are my sole inspiration. I hope I have made you proud.

PART I

EARLY LIFE/GRANDMOTHER’S INFLUENCE

(Rosetta Maxwell at the right side with friends)

The Family that Prays Together

Who would have thought that a boy like me, born on a small, tropical island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, would one day grow up to appear in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies. While I pride myself on having a vivid imagination, even I could not dream up a script so perfect. Yet, this is precisely how my life unfo lded.

As a child, I cannot remember ever having a desire to pursue a career in entertainment. The only thing I could think of that comes close to that was a dream I had as a boy that included a race car being involved in a serious accident. In the strange way that dreams often play out, I was both the witness and the victim of the crash. I walked over to the car to see who its occupants were and was surprised to see myself sitting in the badly damaged vehicle. When my career in Hollywood would eventually take shape many years later, I always wondered if that dream was a sign of things to come—many of the movies I appeared in would include high-speed sports car chases, which inevitably resulted in a series of crashes throughout the scenes. Coincidence?

Life growing up in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in the late 70s and 80s, revolved around home, church, and school. My maternal grandfather was a Pentecostal pastor that presided over his small, but devoted congregation with great authority and preached what some might call a ‘hell, fire and brimstone’ message. My parents, brothers, sister, and I attended his church for a long time until we transitioned to another church, where my parents eventually became lay leaders.

God was a central figure in our home and as the eldest