Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling Shines with “I’m Just Ken” Performance at the Oscars

Ryan Gosling, known for his role in Barbie, delivered a show-stopping performance of his Oscar-nominated song “I’m Just Ken” during the 2024 Academy Awards. The 43-year-old actor shared that his two daughters, Esmeralda (9) and Amada (7), played a pivotal role in shaping his rehearsals for the event. “They are such a huge part of this for me… it was my girls’ interest in Barbie and disinterest in Ken that got me into this in the first place. It was beautiful to have them there at the end,” Gosling told People.

Gosling’s performance was enhanced by rock legend Slash, the famed Guns N’ Roses guitarist, who brought a rock-heavy flair to the viral ballad. The performance also featured fellow Ken actors Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Gosling engaged the audience by seeking vocal support from his Barbie co-stars Margot Robbie, America Ferrera, and director Greta Gerwig, making the moment a true ensemble celebration.

The Barbie movie soundtrack, from the highest-grossing film of 2023, was well-represented throughout the night. Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell later took home the Oscar for Best Original Song for their hit “What Was I Made For?”

About Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling, a Canadian actor, is a three-time Academy Award nominee known for his versatility in films ranging from romance to drama and action. His early career began on The All New Mickey Mouse Club in 1993, but he rose to fame with his 2004 role in The Notebook. His first Oscar nomination came in 2006 for Half Nelson, followed by nominations for La La Land in 2016 and Barbie in 2023. Gosling has taken on a variety of roles in films such as Crazy, Stupid, Love, Drive, Blade Runner 2049, and Lars and the Real Girl. He is in a long-term relationship with actress Eva Mendes, with whom he shares two daughters.

Early Life and Influences

Ryan Thomas Gosling was born on November 12, 1980, in London, Ontario, Canada. Raised in a working-class family that belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gosling spent much of his early life in Cornwall, another city in Ontario. From a young age, Gosling was captivated by the power of cinema, notably drawing inspiration from one of Sylvester Stallone’s iconic action films. In a candid interview with Maclean’s magazine, Gosling recalled watching First Blood in first grade, which led him to mimic the movie’s action by bringing steak knives to school for a misguided reenactment. This incident resulted in his suspension but marked the beginning of his fascination with film.

Breakthrough as a Mouseketeer and Young Hercules

Gosling’s first significant break came in 1993 when he joined the cast of The All New Mickey Mouse Club, a variety show that showcased the talents of young performers, known as Mouseketeers. Here, Gosling performed alongside future stars like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera. Reflecting on his time on the show, Gosling told Esquire magazine, “I went through puberty in a theme park,” as the show filmed at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Following the end of The Mickey Mouse Club in 1994, Gosling continued to build his career on television. He appeared in Breaker High (1997-1998), a teen comedy, before taking on a more dramatic role in Young Hercules (1998), where he portrayed the titular character.

Film Career and Breakout Roles

Gosling’s feature film debut came in 2000 with a supporting role in Remember the Titans, a sports drama starring Denzel Washington. However, his breakthrough arrived in 2001 with The Believer, where he played a Jewish neo-Nazi in a film that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2004, Gosling achieved mainstream recognition with The Notebook, the romantic drama in which he starred opposite Rachel McAdams. The film was a box-office hit and cemented Gosling as a leading man.

In 2006, Gosling received critical acclaim for his role as a drug-addicted teacher in Half Nelson, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He continued to showcase his versatility with roles in Fracture (2007), alongside Anthony Hopkins, and Lars and the Real Girl (2007), in which he portrayed a shy man who develops a relationship with a life-sized doll. His performance in Lars and the Real Girl garnered him a Golden Globe nomination.

Critical and Commercial Success

Gosling’s career took a significant leap forward in 2011 when he starred in three diverse films: Crazy, Stupid, Love, an ensemble romantic comedy; Drive, a gritty action thriller; and The Ides of March, a political drama alongside George Clooney. In 2012, Gosling reunited with his Crazy, Stupid, Love co-star Emma Stone in Gangster Squad, an action film delayed due to real-life tragic events.

His role in The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), co-starring Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes, further solidified his status as a serious actor. In 2013, Gosling ventured into directing with Lost River, a surreal drama he also wrote and produced. He followed this by starring in The Big Short (2015), a critically acclaimed film about the 2008 financial crisis.

Oscar Nomination for La La Land and Further Success

In 2016, Gosling starred in La La Land, a musical romance that became a cultural sensation, receiving 14 Academy Award nominations. Gosling earned his second Oscar nomination for his performance but did not take home the award. He followed this with roles in Blade Runner 2049 (2017), the sequel to the cult sci-fi classic, and First Man (2018), in which he portrayed astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Memorable Role in Barbie

In 2023, Gosling took on a comedic role in Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Playing Ken alongside Margot Robbie’s Barbie, Gosling’s performance, especially his rendition of the song “I’m Just Ken,” earned him widespread praise and supporting actor nominations at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards.

Personal Life and Interests

Gosling has been in a relationship with actress Eva Mendes since 2011, after they met on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines. The couple has two daughters, Esmeralda, born in 2014, and Amada, born in 2016. While they have kept their relationship private, recent comments and social media posts from Mendes have confirmed that the two are married.

Outside of acting, Gosling is involved in numerous charitable causes, supporting AIDS research, poverty relief, and animal rights. He is also a skilled jazz guitarist and a member of the band Dead Man’s Bones.

Net Worth and Height

Gosling’s net worth is estimated at around $70 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, and he stands just over six feet tall, as noted in his IMDb profile.