The Rise & Rise of Ryan Gosling

29 July 2013

Ryan Gosling is one of films most sought after actors. With raw talent and a passion for every role he takes on, this four time Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee shows no signs of slowing down.

This summer, Gosling is taking on another challenging role as Julian, a respected drug dealer and boxing club owner looking to seek vengeance for his brother’s murder. To honour the release of Only God Forgives, we decided to chronicle Goslings most notable roles.

- The Mickey Mouse Club (1993-1995)

Ryan Gosling started his career as a fresh faced tween on Disney’s revamp of The Mickey Mouse Club. Convincing his mom to move from Canada to Florida, Gosling appeared in three episodes before the show was cancelled in 1995.

- The Believer (2001)

Portraying a Jewish Neo-Nazi in his first lead role in film, Gosling shattered his child star image in The Believer.

Although the film was considered a failure in terms of profit, his performance received rave reviews from critics. Gosling credits this role as his stepping stone into the career he has today.

- The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook is the film that made Ryan Gosling a household name. His first leading role in a mainstream movie, Gosling made girls everywhere swoon as the passionate Noah Calhoun. The film was a box office success making over $115 worldwide.

As the first person cast, Gosling got to help select his leading lady Rachel McAdams. The pair later dated after the film wrapped.

- Half Nelson (2006)

Gosling earned his first Academy Award nomination as a drug addicted middle school teacher in Half Nelson. To prepare for the role, Ryan moved into a small Brooklyn apartment to shadow an 8thgrade teacher for a month.

The next year Gosling was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, solidifying his legitimacy as an actor.

- Blue Valentine (2010)

After a three year hiatus from acting, Gosling burst back onto the scene making five movies in 2010 and 2011. His first, an indie film called Blue Valentine, was a box office and critic success and earned him his second Golden Globe nomination.

Gosling and his co-star, Michelle Williams, were instructed to improvise their parts as they played a married couple struggling with their relationship.

- Drive (2011)

Gosling gave a genuine and chilling performance as a mysterious getaway car driver in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive.

This thriller had critics commending Gosling on his constant ability to deliver fantastic performances, with Roger Ebert stating that he [Gosling] could achieve anything.

- Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Seriously, he has to be photo shopped. Ryan Gosling showed off his comedic talents and unwavering charm in the romantic-comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love. As Jacob Palmer, Gosling played the smooth talking ladies man looking to help out his fellow single men in need.

Known for normally playing darker characters, Gosling stunned audiences and critics alike with his performance, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a musical or comedy.

- Only God Forgives

In his second collaboration with director Nicolas Winding Refn, Gosling takes on a darker role in the revenge thriller Only God Forgives. As one of the most anticipated films of the summer, Ryan is sure to deliver another heart-stopping performance with intensity and style.