Ryan Gosling facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ryan Gosling
Gosling in 2023
Born	Ryan Thomas Gosling (1980-11-12) November 12, 1980 (age 44) London, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1993–present
Works	Full list
Partner(s)	Eva Mendes
Children	2
Awards	Full list

Ryan Thomas Gosling (born November 12, 1980) is a Canadian actor. He is famous for his roles in both independent films and big studio movies. His films have earned a lot of money worldwide. Ryan has won many awards, including a Golden Globe Award. He has also been nominated for three Academy Awards.

Ryan started acting when he was 13 years old. He was on the Disney Channel show The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1993–1995). After that, he appeared in other family shows like Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1995) and Goosebumps (1996). He became well-known for his role in The Believer (2001). He became a big star with the romantic drama The Notebook in 2004.

He also starred in popular independent dramas. These include Half Nelson (2006), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Other notable films are Lars and the Real Girl (2007) and Blue Valentine (2010).

In 2011, Ryan had three successful movies. These were the romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, the political drama The Ides of March, and the action thriller Drive. He directed his first movie, Lost River, in 2014. Later, he starred in The Big Short (2015) and The Nice Guys (2016). His role in the musical La La Land (2016) won him a Golden Globe Award. It also earned him another Academy Award nomination.

More praise came for his roles in the science fiction film Blade Runner 2049 (2017). He also played Neil Armstrong in the biopic First Man (2018). In 2023, he played Ken in the comedy Barbie. This movie became his highest-earning film. He also received an Academy Award nomination for this role.

Ryan Gosling has a band called Dead Man's Bones. They released their first album and toured in 2009. He also owns a Moroccan restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. He supports groups like PETA and Invisible Children, Inc.. He has traveled to Africa to help raise awareness about conflicts there. He has two daughters with actress Eva Mendes.

Ryan Gosling's Early Life

Ryan Thomas Gosling was born on November 12, 1980. He was born in London, Ontario, Canada. His father, Thomas Ray Gosling, was a traveling salesman. His mother, Donna, was a secretary. His family was part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ryan has said this religion was a big part of their lives.

Because of his father's job, his family moved often. Ryan lived in places like Cornwall, Ontario and Burlington, Ontario. His parents divorced when he was 13. He and his older sister, Mandi, lived with their mother. Ryan said this experience helped him "think like a girl."

As a child, Ryan watched the movie Dick Tracy. This movie made him want to become an actor. He said he "hated" being a child. He was bullied in elementary school and didn't have friends until he was about 14 or 15. Once, in first grade, he brought steak knives to school. He threw them at other children during recess. This led to him being suspended.

He had trouble reading and was checked for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, he was not diagnosed with it. His mother left her job and taught him at home for a year. He said homeschooling gave him a strong sense of independence. Ryan performed for audiences from a young age. His sister, who was also a performer, encouraged him. They sang together at weddings. He also performed with his uncle's Elvis Presley tribute band. Performing helped him feel more confident. He dropped out of high school at 17 to focus on acting.

Ryan Gosling's Acting Career

Becoming a Child Actor (1993–1999)

In 1993, when he was twelve, Ryan Gosling tried out for a new version of the Disney Channel's The Mickey Mouse Club. He got a two-year contract and moved to Orlando, Florida. He didn't appear on screen very often because other kids were seen as more talented. Still, he said it was the best two years of his life.

His fellow cast members included Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake. Ryan said this experience taught them all to be very focused. He became good friends with Justin Timberlake. They even lived together for six months. Justin's mother became Ryan's legal guardian when Ryan's mother went back to Canada for work.

After the show ended in 1995, Ryan returned to Canada. He continued to act in family TV shows. These included Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1995) and Goosebumps (1996). He also starred in Breaker High (1997–98). When he was eighteen, he moved to New Zealand. There, he filmed the Fox Kids adventure series Young Hercules (1998–1999). He played the main character, Hercules. He later decided he wanted to do more serious acting. He wanted to play different kinds of roles in movies.

Early Independent Films (2000–2003)

At 19, Ryan decided to focus on "serious acting." It was hard to find work at first. He had a supporting role in the football drama Remember the Titans. Then, he got a main role in the 2001 film The Believer. He played a young Jewish former neo-Nazi. Critics praised his "electrifying" performance. Ryan said this film "gift-wrapped" his career for him.

In 2002, Ryan co-starred in the thriller Murder by Numbers with Sandra Bullock. He also appeared in The Slaughter Rule with David Morse. Critics called Ryan "major star material" and praised his "raw talent." In 2003, he starred in The United States of Leland.

The Notebook and Half Nelson (2004–2009)

Ryan became widely known in 2004. He starred with Rachel McAdams in the romantic drama The Notebook. This movie was based on a book by Nicholas Sparks. Ryan played Noah Calhoun. He said the role let him play a character over many years. Filming took place in Charleston, South Carolina. Although Ryan and Rachel later dated, they sometimes didn't get along while filming. Critics praised their "spontaneous and combustible" performances. The film earned over $115 million worldwide. Ryan won several Teen Choice Awards and an MTV Movie Award. The Notebook is often listed as one of the most romantic movies.

Gosling at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival

In 2005, Ryan played a troubled art student in Stay. The film also starred Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. The movie did not do well with critics or at the box office. Ryan wasn't bothered by the negative reactions. He said he was proud if a movie made someone feel something strong.

Ryan's next big role was in 2006's Half Nelson. He played a junior high school teacher who becomes friends with a young student. To get ready, Ryan lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn. He spent time with an eighth-grade teacher. Critics called his performance "mesmerizing" and "one of the finest." Ryan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for this role.

In 2007, Ryan played an introverted man who falls in love with a doll in Lars and the Real Girl. This film did not earn much money. He also starred with Anthony Hopkins in the thriller Fracture. Ryan originally turned down the role. He changed his mind when Hopkins joined the cast. Critics enjoyed watching Hopkins and Gosling act together. The film earned over $91 million worldwide.

Ryan was supposed to film The Lovely Bones in 2007. But he left the movie just two days before filming. This was due to "creative differences." He was replaced by Mark Wahlberg. Ryan had gained weight and grown a beard for the role. He later said he learned an important lesson: not to let his ego get in the way.

Widespread Recognition (2010–2012)

After three years away from the screen, Ryan starred in five films in 2010 and 2011. He said he felt more excited to make films than before. In 2010, he starred with Michelle Williams in the drama Blue Valentine. The film was mostly improvised. Critics praised his understanding of the characters. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama. The film was a success, earning over $12 million from a small budget.

His second film in 2010 was the mystery All Good Things with Kirsten Dunst. He played a real-estate heir investigated for his wife's disappearance. Ryan found filming this movie to be a "dark experience." He did not promote the film. Critics praised his deep performance. Also in 2010, Ryan narrated and produced ReGeneration. This documentary explores how young people feel about social and political issues.

Gosling in 2011

In 2011, Ryan took on three different, high-profile roles. He had his first comedy role in Crazy, Stupid, Love. He starred with Steve Carell and Emma Stone. Ryan took cocktail-making classes for his role as a charming ladies' man. Critics called him a "comic knockout." He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. The film was a big success, earning over $142 million worldwide.

Ryan's first action role was in Drive. This film was based on a novel. It was a box office success, earning $70 million worldwide.

His last film in 2011 was the political drama The Ides of March. He co-starred with Philip Seymour Hoffman and was directed by George Clooney. Ryan played an ambitious press secretary. He said he did the film to learn more about politics. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama. The film earned $66 million worldwide.

Established Actor (2015–Present)

Gosling at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2015, Ryan played a bond salesman in The Big Short. This film was nominated for Best Picture at the 2016 Academy Awards. Critics found him "smarmily funny" and "volcanically fierce and funny." The next year, Ryan starred in the comedy The Nice Guys with Russell Crowe. He also starred in Damien Chazelle's musical La La Land. For La La Land, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He also received his second Academy Award for Best Actor nomination. Critics praised his great chemistry with co-star Emma Stone. It became one of his most successful films, earning over $440 million.

Ryan had filmed Song to Song (2017) in 2012. It co-starred Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender, and Natalie Portman. Also in 2017, he starred in Blade Runner 2049. This was a sequel to the 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner. He played Officer K, a "blade runner" who hunts bioengineered humans. Critics said he was perfectly cast. The film did not perform as well as expected at the box office.

In 2018, Ryan played Neil Armstrong. Armstrong was the first man to walk on the Moon in 1969. This was in Chazelle's biopic First Man. Critics praised his "quiet charisma" and "grace." He was nominated for a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor.

After a four-year break, Ryan returned in 2022. He starred in the spy-action thriller The Gray Man. He acted alongside Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. The film was released on Netflix. Even though some critics didn't like it, a sequel is being made. In 2023, Ryan starred as Ken in Greta Gerwig's comedy Barbie. He starred with Margot Robbie as Barbie. He also sang the song "I'm Just Ken" for the movie's soundtrack. His performance was highly praised. He received many nominations for his role, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He performed "I'm Just Ken" live at the 96th Academy Awards.

Ryan next starred in the action comedy film The Fall Guy with Emily Blunt. It received good reviews but did not earn much money. Ryan will also produce and star in Project Hail Mary. This film is based on a science fiction novel.

Ryan Gosling's Music Career

Gosling at a Dead Man's Bones concert in 2009

In 2007, Ryan released a solo song called "Put Me in the Car" online. That same year, Ryan and his friend Zach Shields formed the indie rock band Dead Man's Bones. They met in 2005 when Ryan was dating Rachel McAdams and Zach was dating her sister. They first thought of making a monster-themed musical. But they decided to form a band instead because a stage show would be too expensive.

They recorded their first album with a Children's Choir. They learned to play all the instruments themselves. Ryan sang and played piano, guitar, bass guitar, and cello on the album. The album was released on October 6, 2009. Critics had mixed reviews. Some called it "unique, catchy and lovably weird." Others felt it showed that "actors make dubious pop musicians."

In September 2009, Ryan and Zach performed for three nights in Los Angeles. They performed with dancing neon skeletons and glowing ghosts. Then, they went on a thirteen-date tour across North America. They used a local children's choir at each show. Instead of an opening act, they held a talent show each night. In 2011, Ryan said he planned to record a second Dead Man's Bones album. He said it would not feature a children's choir.

Ryan Gosling's Personal Life

Gosling at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival

Ryan used to live in New York City. He co-owns Tagine, a Moroccan restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. He bought the restaurant on a whim. He said he spent "all [his] money" on it. He spent a year doing the renovation work himself. Now, he helps oversee the restaurant's menus.

Ryan dated his Murder by Numbers co-star Sandra Bullock from 2002 to 2003. He then had a relationship with his The Notebook co-star Rachel McAdams from 2005 to 2007. They briefly got back together in 2008.

Ryan has been in a relationship with actress Eva Mendes since September 2011. They met while filming The Place Beyond the Pines. They have two daughters, born in 2014 and 2016. In a 2022 interview, Eva Mendes said she likes to keep their relationship private.

Charity Work

Ryan Gosling supports many social causes. He has worked with PETA. He encouraged KFC and McDonald's to use better ways to prepare chickens. He also supported a campaign for dairy farmers to stop de-horning cows.

In 2005, Ryan volunteered in Biloxi, Mississippi. He helped with the clean-up after Hurricane Katrina. He supports Invisible Children, Inc.. This group raises awareness about the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Central Africa. In 2005, he visited Darfur refugee camps in Chad. He spoke at a conference in 2008 about Darfur. As part of his work with the Enough Project, he visited Uganda in 2007 and eastern Congo in 2010.

Ryan Gosling's Films and Awards

Ryan Gosling has received many awards and nominations. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards. He also has two British Academy Film Award nominations. He has won one Golden Globe Award from six nominations. He has also received six Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

In 2006, his role in Half Nelson earned him nominations for an Academy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He received nominations for an Academy Award, British Academy Film Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for La La Land (2016). He also received nominations for Barbie (2023). He won a Golden Globe Award for La La Land. His performances in Lars and the Real Girl (2007), Blue Valentine (2010), The Ides of March, and Crazy, Stupid, Love (both 2011) also earned him Golden Globe nominations.

See also

In Spanish: Ryan Gosling para niños