Everybody loves a success story, and Irwin Gould has a pretty good one. The pompously-titled THE BOOK OF IRWIN GOULD (IDG) follows the author from his Caribbean childhood to the Hollywood big screen and beyond. Gould grew up in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1970s and ’80s. His parents were strict, religious conservatives and not afraid to use corporal punishment on their kids. But Gould holds no grudges; he credits his strict upbringing for giving him the discipline he needed to succeed as an adult.
Gould leaves home at 17 after Hurricane Hugo devastates his island home. He lives with his grandmother in Brooklyn, where he falls in love with the Big Apple. Inspired by his grandmother’s strong work ethic, Gould enrolls in technical college and takes on a variety of odd jobs before friends suggest he try modeling. See, Irwin Gould has a look; he’s 6’4’’, rippling with muscles, and speaks with an exotic island accent. This lands him a role in an Italian television commercial and a spot in a U.S. voter registration ad that airs during the Super Bowl XXXIX Halftime Show in 2004. He also appears in two Bud Light commercials alongside Cedric the Entertainer. His showbiz career is off and running.
In addition to Gould’s “signature style” (in 2003 he wears his hair long, tipped with blonde, and sports a gold grill on his teeth), he also has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. While waiting in line for another audition, Gould is approached by director Michael Bay—who suggests he audition for Bad Boys II: a big-budget action-comedy starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Gould is cast as a Haitian gang member, which includes a few lines of dialogue.
Gould pours himself into his new career, taking acting and improv classes to improve his skills. He lands roles in four films between 2003 and 2006. When acting jobs run dry, Gould’s impressive modeling portfolio gets him meetings with several top clothing brands. Unfortunately, Gould’s “signature style” doesn’t click this time; potential advertisers are put off by his gold caps. So Gould removes the grill, but the modeling opportunities are no longer there.
Gould’s pivot from aspiring actor to business professional is perhaps the most inspirational part of THE BOOK OF IRWIN GOLD. He never seems down (although the death of his beloved grandmother rocks him), keeping his mind sharp and his body fit. Today he owns a successful auto detailing business in South Florida, where he awaits his next acting opportunity. Perhaps his true calling is as a motivational speaker. While there aren’t staggering obstacles to overcome, growing up on a small Caribbean island and making it to the Hollywood big screen is no small feat, which makes Irwin Gould’s journey worth noting.
Irwin Gould’s THE BOOK OF IRWIN GOULD is a short and inspiring memoir that shows the author is more than ready for whatever life throws at him.
~Rob Errera for IndieReader