Ryan Gosling is one of the most popular actors in Hollywood whose career is built on equal parts critical acclaim and commercial success. As Gosling treads the fine line between the two, his skills as an actor have only improved over the past decade with films such as Barbie and La La Land.
As a result, Golsing’s acting methods have been examined and the actor has himself spoken out in that regard. In an interview, Gosling revealed the real reason he loved acting, providing a crucial insight into his potential as the next big method actor in Hollywood. Here is everything you need to know about Gosling’s acting method.
Ryan Gosling Reveals the Real Reason He Loves Being an Actor
Ryan Gosling started his career as a child actor during the 90s before shifting his attention to independent films in the early 2000s. Gosling gained mainstream attention for his performance in The Notebook and has continued to scale heights of success ever since.
In a 2016 interview with GQ, Gosling opened up about choosing acting as a profession and why he loved being an actor. Gosling addressed the idea of becoming an actor because he liked being the center of attention, which he admitted was true to some extent. However, the real reason he loved acting was much different.
“I feel more often than not that what drives you to become an actor is an instinct to disappear. To become someone else. Not yourself.”
Gosling made the above statement explaining he enjoyed the process of disappearing into his characters. As a result, Gosling’s comment strongly hints that he prefers method acting. However, Gosling has never been an outright supporter of method acting.
Ryan Gosling Discussed His Changed Acting Style After Hiatus
After 2018’s First Man, Gosling took a hiatus from acting, returning four years later in 2022’s The Gray Man. In 2023, Gosling opened up about his changed approach to acting, comparing it to solving the puzzles in an escape room.
At the same time, Gosling admitted that in the past, he treated acting like therapy. Similarly, in another 2023 interview, Gosling opened up about changing his approach. The Barbie actor revealed that he approached acting more as a job after his return from hiatus.
“I treat it more like work now, and not like it’s, you know, therapy. It’s a job, and I think in a way that allows me to be better at it because there’s less interference.”
Gosling made the above statement (via Rolling Stone) explaining how his acting style had changed and become less therapeutic.
Consequently, this change of approach only opens the door for Gosling to adopt more of a traditional method acting style, which would allow him to connect more with his character. Gosling’s changed approach certainly seems to be working, as he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor at the 96th Academy Award for his work in Barbie.
Gosling is next set to appear in the action comedy The Fall Guy, which is slated to be released on May 3, 2024.
