Ryan Gosling Turns 33: A Look At His Best Known Movies

Ryan Gosling is a fan favorite, and he turns 33 today, 11/12/13. Happy Birthday to him!

Ryan Gosling began his career in the Disney show, Mickey Mouse Club, which saw the likes of Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake as alums.

After that he starred in several family movies, including Goosebumps and Hercules. He then moved on to indies for a while before landing the role that would propel him as one of the most popular leading men, The Notebook.

Let’s take a look at Ryan Gosling’s best known movies and see if we agree.

Even though Gosling only has a supporting role in Remember The Titans, it has become a favorite among his fans. The true story of a black coach, played by Denzel Washington, leading a racially integrated high school team in its first season. In the film, Ryan plays Alan Bosley.

Following that, he starred as a young Neo-Nazi Jew in the 2001 drama The Believer, and even though the film was a commercial failure, his performance earned him critical acclaim.

Murder By Numbers saw Ryan Gosling pair up with Michael Pitt as two teens who think they can get away with the perfect murder. Sandra Bullock plays the detective in charge of the investigation. Once again the Canadian actor received praise for his strong performance.

In 2004, he was cast opposite Rachel McAddams in the romantic drama The Notebook, the adaptation of the novel from Nicholas Sparks.

At the time Ryan Gosling commented on his role of Noah Calhoun:

“It gave me an opportunity to play a character over a period of time – from 1940 to 1946 – that was quite profound and formative.”

The movie became a launching pad for Ryan Gosling’s career and it propelled him to international fame, earning him throes of loyal followers.

He and McAddams became romantically involved in 2005, even though their relationship on set was contentious, and Gosling asked director Nick Cassavettes to “bring somebody else in for my off-camera shot” because he felt she was not cooperating.

Eventually, the relationship worked out perfectly for the chemistry the couple had on screen and the movie went on to become a major hit with audiences, earning $115 million, which remains Ryan Gosling’s highest grossing movie and one of the most popular romantic dramas.

In 2005, the actor, armed with his new found popularity, starred in Stay in which he played an emotionally disturbed man opposite Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.

Continuing with his busy schedule, 2006 saw Gosling star in Half Nelson as a drug addict and a junior high school teacher.

To prepare for the role, he moved to New York and spent one month before shooting living in a small apartment while shadowing an eighth grade teacher during the day. Gosling was nominated for an Academy Award for this performance.

The following year Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Lars And The Real Girl in which he plays a socially awkward boy who develops a fascination with a sex doll named Bianca.

After a three-year acting hiatus, Gosling starred in Blue Valentine, earning him a second Golden Globe nomination.

2011 proved to be a pivotal year for the actor when he appeared in three mainstream films: the romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, the political drama The Ides of March, and the thriller Drive, for which he received two Golden Globe nominations.

In 2013, he also starred in the three films: the period crime film Gangster Squad, the drama The Place Beyond the Pines, and the violent drama Only God Forgives, which didn’t do well at the box office.

Ryan Gosling has become the quintessential leading man and his name always comes up as a casting possibility whenever a major male role becomes available, as was the case with the vacant Batman role, which ultimately went to Ben Affleck.

Are you a fan of Ryan Gosling? What is your favorite movie?