Photo by ReadersMagnet
Irwin Gould has lived a life that feels a lot like a movie script. Growing up on a small Caribbean island, surviving a terrible hurricane, and against all odds, ending up starring in Hollywood blockbusters–it’s hard to believe that all happened to one man. But it did! From his experiences, he has built a successful business from the ground up.
Through his three books, Irwin Gould shares his incredible journey.
His story is not just about the fame that befell him, but is also a powerful lesson book on faith, hard work, and listening to the signs life gives you.
Going Back to the Very Beginning
Irwin Gould’s story begins on the island of St. Croix, where he was raised in a tight-knit, religious family.
“God was a central figure in our home.”
This foundation gave him strength early on, giving him the necessary inner world to be resilient and hopeful. Yet, life at home was still very hard, especially with a father who used harsh discipline.
At 16, though, Irwin made the tough decision to leave, saying that he “[believes] this decision saved [him] because [he] immediately could feel the stress and anxiety leave [his] body.”
This was the first big lesson he had in life: sometimes, you must make a hard choice to find your own peace. And how important it is to be at peace with yourself.
Photo by tawatchai07
Now, you may think that’s where it all ended–but, soon after, a colossal storm tested him and his family: Hurricane Hugo smashed into St. Croix in 1989, tearing the roof off his family home and letting the wind and rain pour in. He remembered that “it felt like a large vacuum was trying to suck [them] out of the house.” His family crawled to the kitchen, the only room whose roof stayed on, and there, persisted until the storm passed through.
Surviving Hugo showed Irwin that life is fragile and precious and that we all only have one chance at it, pushing him toward bigger dreams.
Irwin Gould’s Big Apple Dream
After the hurricane, Irwin Gould tasted New York City.
“It literally took my breath away,” he writes.
The tall buildings and bright lights showed him a world of possibility that he could not have found in St. Croix, feeling more connected to the Big Apple than he ever did to his island home.
“To my 18-year-old mind, New York City felt like a place where I could become successful.”
This is a lesson for everyone: find the place that holds your future.
In New York, he lived with his hero, his grandmother Rosetta Maxwell, who was a hardworking nurse and who taught him the essential, straightforward rules to living a good life and achieving success.
She told him, “Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.”
Irwin still lives by this rule today.
And although his grandmother’s sudden death was a devastating blow that he never truly recovered from, her work ethic stayed with him.
“She took her work seriously and did what she had to do,” he recalls.
From her, he learned to stand on his own two feet no matter what.
The Unexpected Break
Irwin Gould never planned to be in movies. His dream was to play in the NBA.
But friends kept telling him he had “the look” for modeling, being tall and fit.
After his grandmother passed, he decided to try. He faced a lot of rejection, but he kept going, and his big break came as a surprise: he was in line to audition for a music video when Michael Bay walked up to him, asking him if he was there to audition for Bad Boys II.
Irwin Gould said no because he was there for an Aerosmith video.
Michael Bay told him that he should audition for BAD BOYS II.
Irwin did, and he got the part.
“I can only attribute this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… to that of the providence of God and to being in the right place at the right time.”
The lesson? Stay open and ready. Your big chance might come when you least expect it.
Life on the Big Screen with Irwin Gould
Working on Bad Boys II was a dream come true for Irwin Gould as he was able to act alongside stars like Will Smith. On the set, he learned the importance of professionalism.
During the shooting, there was a rule that lead actors shouldn’t be interacting with others besides themselves. One day, Will Smith broke that rule just for him. Smith walked over and introduced himself, leaving a considerable impression on Irwin and making him see that true success doesn’t make a person rude.
“I viewed it as a testament to Will Smith’s character.”
Irwin Gould is more than an actor, for he is also a shrewd businessman. With the money he made from Bad Boys II, he invested in his true passion: his company, Bubbles and Sudz Plus, through which he created jobs for 21 families. For Irwin, wealth is about helping others. “Providing employment for 21 families was a significant accomplishment,” he says.
From the moment when his first customer gave him rave reviews, Irwin knew he was on the right path and kept walking.
Photo by freepik
The Miraculous Life of Irwin Gould
Irwin Gould saw “signs” in everyday life, and he believes that God guides him through these small miracles.
Once, after a job, he opened his van door and saw a brief, shining image of Jesus Christ on the seat that left him awestruck.
Another time, he kept finding money on the ground.
These and more, he saw as messages that made him always pay attention to nature.
Irwin writes that “[life] offers signals which guide us.”
This lesson is simple: pay attention. Take notice of the world because it might be trying to tell you something incredible that will change your life.
Discover the full, inspiring story of faith, miracles, and triumph. Buy The Book of Irwin Gould series and start your own journey!
