Mason Gooding promotes several projects. This includes Netflix’s “72 Hours,” in which he stars Kevin Hartand his latest film, “I Want Your Sex.” Recently, the 29-year-old heartthrob opened up about his childhood with his famous father and how he thinks the “Radio” star used what he called “speed parenting” due to his busy schedule.
Mason Gooding said he knew Cuba publicly more than personally
Mason appeared on the “Wildmen” podcast in July 2026, discussing a multitude of topics ranging from his burgeoning career to life as a father in Cuba. He said of his childhood: “My father was an actor and my grandfather [Cuba Gooding Sr.] was a singer.
He explained by saying, “I probably have a stronger relationship and understanding based on who they were in public than who they were in private. It wasn’t until I was older that they were able to – not my grandfather, God rest his soul – but like my father, he would have been able to articulate a lot of the lessons that I learned as a child.”
Regarding Mason’s grandfather, he died in 2017 at the age of 72. After that, he spoke specifically about his father’s parenting style, saying, “Because when you’re a parent who’s an actor and you’re gone for so long, and then you come back, you try to… the word would be speed-parent… because you come in for a week and you’re like, ‘Why is it broken?’ Why are you failing at school? Why are you fighting? »
Mason says Cuba Gooding Jr. was a different person away from the cameras
Mason continued to reflect on his upbringing in Cuba stating that he did not know how to approach their relationship because the man he saw in interviews did not match what he witnessed when his father was home.
According to the young actor, “At the time, I didn’t really understand that relationship because I was like, ‘You’re so positive and charismatic in these interviews, and then you come home, and he’s a different guy,’ and I didn’t understand that correlation or lack of correlation.”
Reflecting, he said, “It’s just about understanding that this dissonance between who I am at home and who you are on camera will actually be a factor in how I analyze our relationship going forward.”
Mason apparently has a complicated relationship with his father, Cuba. However, he still has fond memories of him, including his wise acting advice. The “Scream 7” star spoke with BET in 2019, first joking that he helped lead to his father’s Oscar win.
He said at the time: “Even though technically he won the Oscar in 1997, I like to think I had a hand in it. Regarding being a good luck charm for his father, Mason recalled: “He always said that before he had Jerry Maguire. [that he] so connected to the character because he had a baby on the way, which was me, and that led to the perfect timing and atmosphere to get the role. All the stars aligned to make it what it was. I hope the same luck rubs off on me.
Regarding the advice Cuba shared, Mason said, “It’s not about screwing things up. [on camera emotion] disproportionate all the time. He said it’s about holding it in and holding it until the perfect moment comes and letting it explode, and that’s what moves the audience.
Cuba has previously spoken about Mason’s career
Mason’s first major role came in 2018 when he was cast in the HBO series “Ballers”, appearing in three episodes. After that it was integrated Olivia Wildethe 2019 film “Booksmart.” Cuba opened up about his son and his early success in a 2018 PEOPLE interview.
He said at the time: “My youngest son, Mason, just did a stint on Ballers with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as one of the characters.” After that, he teased “Booksmart,” saying, “He has a new indie movie that he’s starring in.”
Mason’s continued to build his career with episodic appearances on shows such as “Star Trek: Picard” and “How I Met Your Father” before landing a role on “Love Victor,” which debuted in 2020.
Mason is involved in several 2026 projects
Mason’s latest film, “72 Hours,” was released on Netflix in July 2026. The film, which also stars Hart, Marcello Hernández, Teyana TaylorAnd Andy Garciadebuted at number one on the streamer rankings. Additionally, his other film, “I Want Your Sex,” arrives in theaters on July 31. His previous film, a thriller titled “The Gates,” was released in March 2026.
According to Deadline, he has also been selected to star in an action film, “Last Resort”, which is scheduled for release in 2028.
