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Pain & Gain: From New Times Story to Michael Bay Film

In 1999, the Miami New Times published a three-part series called "Pain & Gain" by writer Pete Collins. The story revolved around a gang of local bodybuilders with a penchant for steroids, strippers, and quick cash. They later became known as Miami's Sun Gym gang and quickly developed a taste for blood and money. On Friday, April 26, director Michael Bay premieres the story on the big screen, starring actors Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Ed Harris.

See Also:
- Michael Bay Artificially Inflates the Already Insane Yet True Events of Pain and Gain
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Pain & Gain opens Friday and features this Michael Bay signature shot: Men cooly walking away from an explosion.
Pain & Gain opens Friday and features this Michael Bay signature shot: Men cooly walking away from an explosion.
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Mark Wahlberg as Daniel Lugo.
Mark Wahlberg as Daniel Lugo.
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In real life: Daniel Lugo was the mastermind of the Sun Gym Gang. He'll die by lethal injection if the U.S. Supreme Court denies his final appeal.
In real life: Daniel Lugo was the mastermind of the Sun Gym Gang. He'll die by lethal injection if the U.S. Supreme Court denies his final appeal.
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Anthony Mackie as Adrian Doorbal.
Anthony Mackie as Adrian Doorbal.
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In real life: Adrian Doorbal was a Caribbean Adonis when he was busted for murder. Today, he's a bald death-row inmate who likes to seek out online pen pals.
In real life: Adrian Doorbal was a Caribbean Adonis when he was busted for murder. Today, he's a bald death-row inmate who likes to seek out online pen pals.
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Paul Doyle, a fictional character written into the film, inspired by...
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Paul Doyle, a fictional character written into the film, inspired by...
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...Jorge Delgado, who snitched on Lugo and Doorbal. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison but served only seven. He was released in 2002 and lives in Southwest Miami-Dade.
...Jorge Delgado, who snitched on Lugo and Doorbal. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison but served only seven. He was released in 2002 and lives in Southwest Miami-Dade.
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Tony Shalhoub as Victor Kershaw.
Tony Shalhoub as Victor Kershaw.
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In real life, Shaloub's character was based on Marc Schiller, who lived through a month of torture at the hands of the Sun Gym Gang and a one-year prison stint for Medicare fraud to write his own book about the gang. Shaloub's character was also based on the actions of Frank Griga.
In real life, Shaloub's character was based on Marc Schiller, who lived through a month of torture at the hands of the Sun Gym Gang and a one-year prison stint for Medicare fraud to write his own book about the gang. Shaloub's character was also based on the actions of Frank Griga.
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Tased in the movie...
Tased in the movie...
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...and the real-life Taser.
...and the real-life Taser.
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Bar Paly as Sorina Luminita.
Bar Paly as Sorina Luminita.
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Paly's character is based off the real-life Sabina Petrescu, then a 25-year-old dancer who'd modeled for Penthouse. In 1990 she'd scored runner-up in the Miss Romania contest and now longed for life as an actress in the West.
Paly's character is based off the real-life Sabina Petrescu, then a 25-year-old dancer who'd modeled for Penthouse. In 1990 she'd scored runner-up in the Miss Romania contest and now longed for life as an actress in the West.
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Ed Harris as Ed Du Bois.
Ed Harris as Ed Du Bois.
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In real life: In 1995, private investigator Ed Du Bois cracked the case against the Sun Gym Gang. Today, he's still pounding the P.I. beat.
Marta Perez
In real life: In 1995, private investigator Ed Du Bois cracked the case against the Sun Gym Gang. Today, he's still pounding the P.I. beat.
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Rebel Wilson as Cindy Eldridge.
Rebel Wilson as Cindy Eldridge.
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In real life: Cindy Eldridge's honeymoon with Adrian Doorbal (on right) turned into a nightmare on Main Street.
In real life: Cindy Eldridge's honeymoon with Adrian Doorbal (on right) turned into a nightmare on Main Street.
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Rob Corddry as John Messe, a Miami accountant who opened Sun Gym in January 1987.
Rob Corddry as John Messe, a Miami accountant who opened Sun Gym in January 1987.
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In real life: John Mese.
In real life: John Mese.
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The cover of "Pain & Gain, Part 1", December 23, 1999.
The cover of "Pain & Gain, Part 1", December 23, 1999.
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All material © 2024 Riverfront Times, St. Louis, MO. All rights reserved.

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