Ryan Gosling’s Early Struggles as an Actor Almost Had Him Calling His Hollywood Dreams a “Delusion”
Canadian actor Ryan Gosling became the talk of the town ever since he took the role of Ken for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which premiered last year. The actor was not only highly lauded for his performance in the movie but the Academy Awards recognized his dedication as well. Gosling has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Ken at Oscars 2024.
It was not just playing Ken in Barbie that got Ryan Gosling under the spotlight. The actor is regarded for his performances in 2004’s The Notebook, 2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love, 2016’s La La Land, 2017’s Blade Runner 2049 and more. But Ryan Gosling did not have it easy in the industry and an interview described his Hollywood dream as a “delusion”. Let’s find out more.
Ryan Gosling talks about moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting
Recently re-surfaced clip from a conversation for 2014’s James Toback and Alec Baldwin’s documentary Seduced and Abandoned, Ryan Gosling was asked about his experience as an actor in the industry. Gosling was also asked about his opinion on young and hopeful aspiring actors moving to Hollywood to make it to the movies. He said,
“The best part of Los Angeles is that it’s filled with all these Don Kote type characters. The people who have come from everyone’s left their family, their homes, their friend and their jobs to pursue a dream, where they know that the percentage of them achieving that dream is never and they do it anyway. Everyone has shared the same dream and no one knows whether it’s a promotion or a delusion.”
Gosling in his conversation with Alec Baldwin noted that individuals are lucky to get an audition and then they get it, they get there and walk into the room full of other guys who look just like them. The actor hinted at an incident early in his career where he lost a part to Jared Leto explaining;
“You realize that you’re not the only one that wore a cowboy hat. Then you can hear the other guy in the other room auditioning. Now you’re thinking about not doing it like him as oppose to doing it the way you wanted to do it.”
Ryan Gosling added that before the individual goes in, he can hear the casting director negotiate a deal for the guy who has already got the part but then he goes in thinking that they’re going to do it as an acting exercise. He said in the interview that he left the audition only to find out that he not only lost that part to Leto but also received two parking tickets.
In an interview with Good Morning America via ABC News ahead of the release of La La Land, Ryan Gosling once again recalled his journey to Hollywood. He mentioned that it’s not easy to move away from your hometown, family, and support system to pursue a dream where people know that the odds might not be in their favor.
Ryan Gosling’s Oscar nod appreciated by partner Eva Mendes
Ryan Gosling who received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor as Ken for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie received words of appreciation from his partner Eva Mendes. She wrote on her social media,
“So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role. So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars.”
Mendes lastly added that she is very proud to be Ken’s Barbie. Gosling’s co-stars Simu Liu and America Ferrera also applauded the actor for his nod at the Oscars. Liu wrote under the post that he feels lucky to have beached off with the best of them adding that a class act and a frighteningly talented actor who leads by example.
America Ferrera who is also nominated for Best Supporting Actress described Gosling as brilliant adding that he pulled off a triple somersault performance and they are so lucky that it was him. She continued that she feels grateful for the way Gosling showed up with his superstardom and continues to show up to support all the women in the process.
Barbie is available on VOD on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
