Ryan Gosling: The Actor Without Bad Roles | Full Biography (Barbie, The Notebook, La La Land)

Biographer・2 minutes read

Ryan Gosling is a successful actor with a low profile, influenced by his Mormon upbringing. His diverse roles, from serious films like "The Believer" to romantic dramas like "The Notebook," have earned him critical acclaim and worldwide fame.

Insights

  • Ryan Gosling's early career was influenced by his Mormon upbringing, providing him with social skills and independence, shaping his rebellious nature and close relationship with his mother.
  • Despite facing childhood struggles and being homeschooled, Gosling gained autonomy and a multicultural perspective, which influenced his passion for acting and his ability to connect with diverse characters.
  • Gosling's breakthrough performances in films like "The Believer" and "The Notebook" showcased his versatility and dedication to his craft, earning him critical acclaim and worldwide recognition.
  • Gosling's collaboration with directors like Nicolas Winding Refn in "Drive" and Damien Chazelle in "La La Land" highlighted his commitment to challenging roles, physical transformations, and rigorous preparation, leading to box office success and multiple award nominations.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Ryan Gosling?

    Ryan Gosling is a successful actor known for his high-quality performances and low-profile demeanor. He began his career at a young age and has starred in a variety of films, ranging from indie dramas to romantic blockbusters.

  • What influenced Ryan Gosling's early years?

    Ryan Gosling's Mormon upbringing played a significant role in shaping his social skills and independence. Despite facing childhood struggles and being homeschooled, he gained autonomy and a multicultural perspective that influenced his approach to acting and life.

  • What are some of Ryan Gosling's notable film roles?

    Ryan Gosling has portrayed a diverse range of characters in his career, from a Hollywood stuntman in "Drive" to a carpenter in "The Notebook." His performances have garnered critical acclaim and worldwide recognition, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

  • How did Ryan Gosling's personal life intersect with his career?

    Ryan Gosling's personal life, including relationships with co-stars like Rachel McAdams and Eva Mendes, has occasionally intersected with his career. Despite maintaining privacy, his romantic relationships have sometimes overlapped with his professional endeavors.

  • What are some key milestones in Ryan Gosling's acting career?

    Ryan Gosling's acting career has been marked by significant milestones, including breakthrough performances in films like "The Believer" and "The Notebook." His ability to tackle diverse roles and genres has solidified his reputation as a talented and versatile actor in the industry.

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Summary

00:00

Ryan Gosling: Successful Actor with Humble Beginnings

  • Ryan Gosling is a famous actor who maintains a low profile but is highly successful.
  • His career began with high-quality performances and he is adored by women and respected by men.
  • Gosling's Mormon upbringing influenced his social skills and independence.
  • Despite childhood struggles and being homeschooled, he gained autonomy and a multicultural perspective.
  • Acting became his passion early on, inspired by his uncle and childhood idols.
  • He auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club at 12 and found success alongside future stars like Britney Spears.
  • Gosling's rebellious nature and close relationship with his mother shaped his early years.
  • His parents' divorce was traumatic, with allegations of violence and financial demands from his father.
  • Gosling pursued acting in Canada before moving to Los Angeles at 16, landing roles in TV series and films.
  • He faced challenges transitioning to serious cinema but found success in films like "Remember the Titans" and "The Believer."

11:37

Ryan Gosling: From Neo-Nazi to Romantic Lead

  • Ryan Gosling played Danny Balint, a young Jew who becomes a neo-Nazi in the film, "The Believer," based on the real story of Dan Burros, a Jew who was a member of the American Nazi Party.
  • Gosling felt a strong connection to the script and convinced the director he was the perfect fit for the role due to his Mormon upbringing.
  • "The Believer" received critical acclaim with an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
  • Gosling's performance in "The Believer" was praised for holding attention and was considered a breakthrough in his career.
  • Following "The Believer," Gosling starred in the psychological thriller "Murder by Numbers" as schoolboy Richard Haywood, which did not perform well at the box office.
  • Despite the film's lack of success, Gosling met Sandra Bullock on set and began dating her, although their relationship lasted only a year.
  • Gosling's roles in indie dramas like "The Slaughter Rule" and "The United States of Leland" provided good experiences, with "The Slaughter Rule" receiving positive reviews.
  • Gosling's portrayal of Leland in "The United States of Leland" impressed the director, Matthew Ryan Hoge, who praised Gosling's ability to transform physically and emotionally for the role.
  • Gosling gained worldwide recognition and fame with the romantic drama "The Notebook" in 2004, where he played Noah Calhoun, a carpenter, and learned carpentry for the role.
  • Despite initial tension on set, Gosling and his co-star Rachel McAdams developed excellent chemistry, leading to a romantic relationship that lasted two years before they broke up amicably.

22:33

Ryan Gosling: From Acting to Music

  • Ryan Gosling received a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for his performance, with praise for his on-screen confrontation with Hopkins and comparisons to Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson.
  • Gosling starred in Craig Gillespie's comedy-drama "Lars and the Real Girl" in the same year, playing the eccentric Lars Lindstrom who falls in love with a sex doll.
  • To portray his character effectively, Gosling had to let go of his cool image and show vulnerability, creating a soft and sensitive portrayal without turning the film into farce.
  • Gosling's performance in "Lars and the Real Girl" earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical, and the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
  • Gosling was initially cast in "The Lovely Bones" but was replaced by Mark Wahlberg after gaining weight and growing a beard to look older for the role.
  • Gosling took a break from acting for three years to focus on music, forming the indie rock band Dead Man's Bones with Zach Shields in 2007.
  • Dead Man's Bones released an album in 2009, inspired by ghost stories and horror, with songs featured in films like "The Conjuring" and "Age of Panic."
  • The band's album received positive reviews, leading to a successful North American tour, but plans for a second album were never realized, and the band went on hiatus.
  • Gosling returned to acting in 2010 with a series of diverse films, including the drama "Blue Valentine" with Michelle Williams, showcasing his musical talent with a rendition of "You Always Hurt the One You Love."
  • Gosling's role in "Blue Valentine" earned critical acclaim, leading to nominations for Golden Globe and Academy Awards, marking a successful return to acting after a music-focused break.

33:56

"Drive": Gosling's Action Film Success Story

  • "Drive" was a film in the action genre, based on a novel by James Sallis, featuring Ryan Gosling as a Hollywood stuntman working as a driver for robbers, with Carey Mulligan as his partner.
  • Initially, Hugh Jackman was to play the lead role, and Neil Marshall was set to direct, but both dropped out, leading to Gosling being chosen by producer Marc Platt.
  • Gosling chose Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn for the film, with whom he made significant script changes and filmed in Los Angeles.
  • The movie had minimal dialogue, with some scenes shot without any, as Refn believed in "less is more," a principle Gosling agreed with.
  • Gosling took stunt driving courses for the film, performed some stunts himself, and chose a 1973 Chevrolet Malibu for his character, repairing it personally.
  • "Drive" premiered at Cannes in 2011, winning Best Director for Refn and receiving high critical acclaim, grossing $81.4 million against a $15 million budget.
  • Gosling starred in "The Ides of March" alongside George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Paul Giamatti, earning a Golden Globe nomination and grossing $76.3 million.
  • Gosling's next film was "The Place Beyond the Pines," where he played a bank robber, undergoing physical transformations and intense motorcycle training for the role.
  • Gosling met Eva Mendes on set, leading to a relationship and two daughters, with both actors prioritizing privacy for their family life.
  • Gosling relies on Mendes for parenting decisions, and they keep their children away from social media, emphasizing boundaries between personal and public life.

45:04

Ryan Gosling: From Thai Boxing to Oscars

  • Ryan Gosling practiced Thai boxing for 2-3 hours a day to prepare for his role as Julian Thompson, the owner of a boxing club in Bangkok.
  • The film directed by Refn, initially booed at Cannes, later received a standing ovation, with polarized reviews praising visuals but criticizing the script and Gosling's performance.
  • Gosling took a break from acting in 2013 to focus on his directorial debut, originally titled "How to Catch a Monster" but later changed to "Lost River".
  • "Lost River", a fantasy thriller with stars like Christina Hendricks and Saoirse Ronan, received mixed reviews at Cannes, with some calling it shockingly bad.
  • Gosling returned to acting in 2015 with "The Big Short", a film about the financial crisis, where he wore a wig to resemble the real person his character was based on.
  • "The Big Short" was well-received, grossing $133 million worldwide, winning awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, and earning Gosling an Oscar nomination.
  • Gosling followed up with the successful film "The Nice Guys", a neo-noir comedy action film praised for humor and performances, though it barely broke even at the box office.
  • In 2016, Gosling starred in "La La Land", learning piano for 4 hours a day for 2.5 months and dancing for 3 months, resulting in numerous award wins and nominations.
  • "La La Land" was a critical and commercial success, grossing $472 million worldwide, with Gosling winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical.
  • Gosling's role in "Blade Runner 2049", a sequel to the cult film, was specifically adapted for him, with the actor praising the script and attention to detail in the production.

57:42

Gosling's Film Successes and Viral Memes

  • Ryan Gosling learned a lot from Harrison Ford while working together on set.
  • During filming, Ford accidentally punched Gosling in the face, leading to a viral meme due to their funny reactions.
  • The film they worked on received high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, with 88% and 81 points respectively.
  • Blade Runner, the movie they starred in, was well-received by critics and audiences, winning awards for Best Cinematography and Visual Effects.
  • Despite critical acclaim, Blade Runner fell short at the box office, grossing $267 million against an expected $400 million.
  • Gosling's next project was the biographical drama First Man, based on the life of Neil Armstrong, which he prepared for extensively.
  • First Man received positive reviews and awards, but faced criticism for omitting the US flag planting scene on the moon.
  • Gosling's return to cinema with The Gray Man on Netflix, a $200 million action film, was a success, leading to a sequel.
  • Gosling's role in the Barbie movie faced initial backlash but became a box office hit, grossing over $1 billion despite controversy.
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