Mason Gooding
Birth dateNovember 14, 1996 (age 29)
Birth placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active2016–present
FatherCuba Gooding Jr.
RelativesCuba Gooding Sr. (grandfather)
Omar Gooding (uncle)

Mason Gooding (born November 14, 1996) is an American actor. The son of Academy Award winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr., he has appeared in television series and films, known for his roles in horror.[1][2] He had a recurring role in the television series Ballers (2018) and a starring role in the teen drama series Love, Victor (2020–2022).

He has also appeared in the films Booksmart (2019) and Fall (2022), portrayed Chad Meeks-Martin in Scream (2022), Scream VI (2023), and Scream 7 (2026), and starred in Heart Eyes (2025).

Early life

Gooding was born on November 14, 1996, in Los Angeles, California, to Sara Kapfer and Cuba Gooding Jr. He is the middle of three children.[3] His paternal grandfather was Cuba Gooding Sr., the former lead singer of R&B band, The Main Ingredient, and his uncle is actor Omar Gooding.[4] His paternal great-grandfather immigrated to the United States from Barbados.[5]

Gooding attended Windward High School in California, where he played varsity football for four years. He graduated in 2015.[6] During high school, his main interests were football and theater.[7][8][9]

He wanted to begin acting after graduation, but decided to attend college after visiting his father on set in New York.[10] He enrolled in New York University Tisch School of the Arts to study dramatic writing and psychology. He dropped out during his junior year in order to pursue acting full time.[9]

Career

In 2017, while still in college, Gooding found a manager and an agent and started booking roles.[10] While still at N.Y.U., he was a P.A. and a featured background player on the web series Spring Street.[11] He booked his first major acting role in the HBO's dramedy Ballers alongside Dwayne Johnson.[12][8] In 2018, Gooding gained his first major film role in Booksmart, directed by Olivia Wilde in her directorial debut.[13] In 2019, Gooding was cast as Andrew in Love, Victor, the television spinoff of the 2018 film Love, Simon. Originally developed for Disney+, the series premiered on Hulu in 2020.[14] While he had played football in high school, Gooding had to learn how to play basketball for the role. Gooding also appeared in Netflix's Christmas themed romantic comedy Let It Snow later that year.[4]

In 2020, he also began appearing in Freeform's sitcom, Everything's Gonna Be Okay.[15] In September 2020, Gooding was cast as Chad Meeks-Martin in the fifth Scream film, which was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.[16] Delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released on January 14, 2022.[17][18]

In late August 2021, Gooding co-starred alongside Kesha and Chloe Bailey in the scripted podcast, Electric Easy, a musical neo-noir science fiction show set in a futuristic Los Angeles. Humans struggle to co-exist with robots, known as “electrics”.[19] The show was created by Vanya Asher; executive producer was Kesha.[20] The podcast premiered on August 30, 2021.[21] Gooding reprised his role of Chad Meeks-Martin in the film Scream VI,[22] released on March 10, 2023. He reprised the role again in Scream 7.[23][24]

Filmography

Film

Key
†Denotes productions that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2016GodspeedJohnnyShort film[25]
2018When Don Met VickyDon
2019BooksmartNick Howland
Don't Say NoBrandonShort film
Let It SnowJeb
2020Violent NightsRickShort film
2022ScreamChad Meeks-Martin
I Want You BackPaul
MoonshotCalvin Riggs
Alone Together with YouHarryShort film; also director
FallDan Connor
2023Scream VIChad Meeks-Martin[26]
2024Y2KJonas
Adult Best FriendsJohn[27]
AftermathJimmy "Romeo" Roken
2025Heart EyesJay Simmonds[28][29]
PoolsReed[30]
Under FireDEA Agent Abbott
2026I Want Your SexZap
Scream 7Chad Meeks-Martin[24][31]
The GatesDerek[32][33]
Post-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2017Spring StreetOpera house bartenderEpisode: "Whatever You Did, It's in the Past."
2018BallersParker JonesRecurring role; 3 episodes (season 4)
The Good DoctorBilly CaymanEpisode: "Empathy"
2020Everything's Gonna Be OkayLukeRecurring role; 4 episodes (season 1)
Star Trek: PicardGabriel HwangEpisode: "Stardust City Rag"
2020–2022Love, VictorAndrew SpencerMain role; 28 episodes
2022How I Met Your FatherAshEpisode: "The Good Mom"
2024The Kill CountDealerEpisode: "V/H/S/2 (2013) KILL COUNT"
To The Numbers bit		[34]
2025Haunted HotelZeffEpisode: "Rollyfluffs"

Music videos

YearTitleArtistRef.
2025"When I'm with You"Lisa featuring Tyla[35]

References

  1. ^ DeVore, Britta (2026-02-18). "Mason Gooding’s Next Horror Movie 'The Gates' Looks Like an Instant Cult Classic in New Trailer [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  2. ^ "“I call it a rom-com that gets hijacked by a horror” – Mason Gooding on Valentine’s slasher, Heart Eyes". Hero. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  3. ^ Wong, Brittany. "Cuba Gooding Jr. Files for Divorce From Wife Of 20 Years Sara Kapfer". HuffPost. Archived August 8, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  4. ^ Horner, Cynthia (May 20, 2019). "Mason Gooding: BookSmart's Jock Is From A Famous Family". Right On!. Archived November 25, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  5. ^ Modzelewski, Eve (September 27, 2000). "Stage Preview: Acting takes Cuba Gooding Sr. on an inspirational tour". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. PG Publishing. Archived November 23, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "Mason Gooding". MaxPreps. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  7. ^ LeBeauf, Jeandra (June 6, 2019). "Mason Gooding compares his high school self to his character in 'Booksmart'". Rolling Out. Archived January 15, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  8. ^ Barrow, Jerry L. (May 24, 2019). "Mason Gooding Shares Acting Advice From His Father, Cuba, And Why 'Booksmart' Is Not The Next 'Superbad' [EXCLUSIVE]". BET. Archived September 20, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  9. ^ Marine, Brooke (May 22, 2019). "Mason Gooding Doesn't Think He's As Cool As His Booksmart Character". W. Archived January 3, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  10. ^ Nordstrom, Leigh (July 14, 2020). "Mason Gooding, All Silver Linings". Women's Wear Daily. Archived March 3, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  11. ^ "Spring Street" (Romance, Thriller), The Great Griffon, PI-ElGreco Productions, 2017-03-17, retrieved 2025-07-10
  12. ^ ""LOVE, VICTOR" MASON GOODING IS CARVING OUT A NAME FOR HIMSELF AMONG YOUNG HOLLYWOOD". Grumpy. No. 16. September 2, 2020. Archived December 5, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  13. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 22, 2018). "Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Others Join Olivia Wilde's 'Booksmart' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived May 23, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (August 15, 2019). "'Love, Simon': Michael Cimino Leads Cast Of Disney+ Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived August 21, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ^ Varina, Rachel (June 25, 2020). "'Love, Victor's Mason Gooding Was "Nothing Like Andrew" In High School — EXCLUSIVE". Elite Daily. Bustle Digital Group. Archived December 19, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 10, 2020). "Mason Gooding And Dylan Minnette Join Ensemble Of New 'Scream' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived September 10, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  17. ^ Miska, Brad (August 28, 2020). "Relaunch of 'Scream' Slashing Into Theaters on January 14, 2022!". BloodyDisgusting. Archived September 3, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 24, 2020). "New Scream Movie From Spyglass Media Will Be Released by Paramount (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived June 24, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  19. ^ "#SpookySZN: Kesha and Chloe Bailey star in musical sci-fi drama-cast 'Electric Easy'". Podsauce. Archived October 29, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  20. ^ "Electric Easy — QCODE". QCODE Media. Archived October 29, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  21. ^ "Electric Easy (Podcast Series 2021) - IMDb", archived October 31, 2021 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2021-10-29
  22. ^ "'Scream 6': Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega Set to Return". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived June 9, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Squires, John. "‘Scream 6’ Release Date Changes to a Bit Earlier in March 2023". Archived November 17, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  24. ^ Malkin, Marc & Stephan, Katcy (December 16, 2024). "Mason Gooding to Return for 'Scream 7' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived December 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  25. ^ Walther, Hanna (2023-04-16). "Mason Gooding Workout Routine". Jacked Gorilla. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
  26. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 10, 2022). "'Scream' Sequel Seeing Return Of Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding & Jenna Ortega". Deadline Hollywood. Archived May 10, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  27. ^ "Adult Best Friends". Tribeca Festival. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  28. ^ Squires, John (September 18, 2024). "Valentine's Day Slasher Movie 'Heart Eyes' Coming to Theaters in February 2025". Bloody Disgusting. Archived September 18, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  29. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 18, 2024). "Sony Has 'Heart Eyes', Sets Winter 2025 Release For Spyglass Horror Rom-Com". Deadline Hollywood. Archived September 18, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Grobar, Matt (2025-07-08). "Utopia's Circle Collective Acquires Coming-Of-Age Indie 'Pools' Starring Odessa A'zion". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  31. ^ Squires, John (January 7, 2025). "Kevin Williamson Confirms That Filming on 'Scream 7' Has Begun". Bloody Disgusting. Archived January 8, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  32. ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 12, 2026). "James Van Der Beek’s Final Projects: Roles In Prime Video’s ‘Legally Blonde’ Prequel Series & ‘The Gates’ Feature; Memoir Was In Works". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  33. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (January 30, 2026). "Mason Gooding Thriller 'The Gates' Sets March Specialty Theatrical Release at Lionsgate Premiere | Exclusive". TheWrap. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  34. ^ "V/H/S/2 (2013) KILL COUNT". YouTube. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  35. ^ Olson, Samantha (May 16, 2025). "Lisa and Tyla Are Turning Up the Heat This Summer Thanks to Their "When I'm With You" Music Video". Cosmopolitan. Archived May 16, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2025.