50 Fun Facts About Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling was born in which Canadian city?

He was born at St. Joseph's Hospital on November 12, 1980.

Gosling's father worked as a travelling salesman for what kind of business?

The family moved often because of his work.

Gosling was raised in which religious denomination?

He now calls himself 'religious but nondenominational'.

Which film inspired Gosling as a child to become an actor?

He said he 'hated' being a child and had no friends until 14 or 15.

After watching which action film did a young Gosling throw steak knives at school?

The incident in grade one got him suspended.

Gosling could not read at what age, after which his mother homeschooled him?

He was diagnosed with ADHD and said homeschooling gave him 'a sense of autonomy'.

Gosling performed as a child with his uncle's tribute act to which singer?

The act was called Elvis Perry; he also sang at weddings with his sister.

Gosling modelled his unusual accent on which actor because Canadian didn't sound 'tough'?

Critics have since compared his economical style to Brando's.

At 12, Gosling won a spot on which Disney Channel show and moved to Orlando?

Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake were castmates.

Gosling played the title role in which Fox Kids series filmed in New Zealand?

He moved there at 18 and quit TV afterwards to focus on film.

In Breaker High, Gosling played which character?

The 1997–98 teen series was set aboard a cruise-ship school.

Gosling played a young Jewish neo-Nazi in which 2001 film?

Director Henry Bean felt his Mormon upbringing helped him understand isolation.

Gosling's 2001 neo-Nazi drama won the Grand Jury Prize at which festival?

It still flopped commercially and aired on Showtime instead of a full theatrical run.

Who co-starred with Gosling in The Notebook?

The two later dated, though they clashed so badly on set that he asked for a stand-in.

What was the name of Gosling's character in The Notebook?

He took inspiration from Sam Shepard's performance in Days of Heaven.

The Notebook was filmed in which US city?

Filming took place in late 2002 and early 2003.

Gosling's first Oscar nomination came for playing a drug-addicted teacher in which film?

He shadowed an eighth-grade teacher in Brooklyn for a month to prepare.

In Lars and the Real Girl, Gosling drew on James Stewart's role in which film?

He played an introvert who falls in love with a sex doll.

Gosling agreed to make Fracture only after which co-star signed on?

He shadowed lawyers and sat in courtrooms to prepare.

Gosling left The Lovely Bones two days before filming after gaining how much weight?

Mark Wahlberg replaced him; Gosling said he was 'fat and unemployed'.

Blue Valentine was directed by whom, in his feature debut?

The largely improvised film cost $1 million and starred Michelle Williams.

What classes did Gosling take to prepare for Crazy, Stupid, Love?

It was his first comedic role, playing a smooth-talking ladies' man.

Gosling described Drive as a violent version of whose movies?

'If Pretty in Pink had head-smashing it would be perfect,' he said.

In Drive, Gosling's character works as a Hollywood stunt performer and what else?

The $15 million film grossed $81 million worldwide.

Who directed The Ides of March, in which Gosling played a press secretary?

Gosling said he took it partly to become more politically aware as a Canadian.

In Gangster Squad, Gosling's Sgt. Jerry Wooters battles which real mob boss?

Sean Penn played the gangster and Emma Stone was Gosling's love interest.

In The Place Beyond the Pines, Gosling's Luke robs banks using what skill?

He called the shoot the best experience he had ever had making a film.

Gosling trained in which martial art for Only God Forgives?

He called the script 'the strangest thing I've ever read'.

Gosling's directorial debut Lost River premiered in which section of Cannes 2014?

The 'fantasy noir' starred Christina Hendricks, Ben Mendelsohn and Matt Smith.

In The Big Short, Gosling played what kind of character?

The ensemble satire was a Best Picture nominee.

Who co-starred with Gosling in The Nice Guys (2016)?

The black comedy was released the same year as La La Land.

La La Land earned over $440M worldwide on roughly what budget?

Gosling won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.

Gosling's Song to Song was filmed in 2012 but not released until which year?

The Terrence Malick film co-starred Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman.

What is the name of Gosling's character in Blade Runner 2049?

A. O. Scott called him 'a perfect warm-blooded robot for our time'.

Gosling played which astronaut in First Man (2018)?

The BBC called him 'the best deadpan actor in the business'.

Gosling returned after a four-year break in which 2022 Netflix thriller?

Chris Evans and Ana de Armas co-starred; critics found it full of clichés.

Besides 'I'm Just Ken', Gosling covered which Matchbox Twenty song for Barbie?

He performed 'I'm Just Ken' live at the 96th Academy Awards.

Who co-starred with Gosling in the 2024 action comedy The Fall Guy?

It drew good reviews but underperformed at the box office.

Project Hail Mary (2026) adapts a novel by which author?

Gosling also produced the film and won acclaim for his performance.

Gosling's Star Wars film Starfighter, announced in 2025, is directed by whom?

He was also cast opposite Margot Robbie in an Ocean's prequel.

Which Marvel character was Gosling announced to play at Comic-Con in July 2026?

The film is scheduled for 2028.

What is the name of Gosling's indie band with Zach Shields?

They recorded their 2009 album with a children's choir and learned every instrument themselves.

Gosling's band held a 2009 residency at which unusual Los Angeles venue?

They performed with dancing neon skeletons and glowing ghosts.

Gosling's 2000 solo album had a misspelled title: Angel With what?

The track 'Put Me in the Car' surfaced online in 2007.

Gosling co-owns Tagine, a Beverly Hills restaurant serving which cuisine?

He bought it on impulse and spent a year renovating it himself.

Which co-star did Gosling begin a relationship with in September 2011?

They met on The Place Beyond the Pines and have two daughters.

Gosling volunteered in Biloxi, Mississippi, after which 2005 disaster?

He also travelled to Darfur refugee camps in Chad that year.

Gosling campaigned with PETA to get dairy farmers to stop doing what to cows?

He also pressed KFC and McDonald's on chicken slaughter methods.

Gosling dropped out of high school at what age to focus on acting?

Five years earlier he had been a Mouseketeer in Orlando.

Gosling's parents divorced when he was how old?

He and his sister Mandi lived with their mother, which he says taught him 'to think like a girl'.