He may have missed out on an Oscar nomination (shame on them), but Ryan Gosling will always be a star in our eyes. And we’re not the only ones – entire tumblrs have been dedicated to his unique brand of macho-sensitivity (check out ryangoslingvpuppy.tumblr.com and the legendary feministryangosling.tumblr.com if you don’t believe us). With the kind of stare we can only describe as 'intense', and cutting a lean, muscular figure, it's not hard to see why he's proved so successful at the box office. Enjoy, as we celebrate the many faces of Ryan...
Words: Jadie Troy-Pryde, pictures: Rex Features
Working a new look
We'll be honest - we weren't totally sure this colour would work on Ryan, but we have to say, he's really pulling it off. Not sure how we'll feel when the roots start coming back in, however...
The Place Beyond The Pines, New York, August 2011
Just walking the dog
George was instructed to pull on his lead at all times in order to make Ryan's muscles look even more defined...
New York, July 2011
Doing the cool thing in Cannes
This man can make even wearing a pyjama top in the daytime look acceptable.
Drive photo call, Cannes Film Festival, May 2011
Tuxedo blues
No danger of being confused with a waiter. Not when you're this handsome. And don't you think the blue beautifully picks out the colour of his eyes?
Drive premiere, Cannes Film Festival, May 2011
Jetlagged, much?
Carrying off that just-been-on-an-11-hour-flight look with aplomb
Arriving at LAX, Los Angeles, September 2010
Return of the bomber jacket
Perhaps inspired by the silver scorpion one he sported in Drive, Ryan rocks vintage leather
Out and about in Cannes, France, May 2011
Off duty chic
Even when he's forgotten to shave for a few days (okay, months), it just makes him look more rugged.
Blue Valentine film set, New York, May 2009
Need a fireman's lift? Ryan's your man
To get into character for his role as a furniture removal man, Ryan apparently spent a day with a real removals firm, lugging heavy boxes up and down stairways. Totally method.
Ryan on the set of Blue Valentine in New York, May 2009
Always accessorise with a beautiful woman
There is no shortage of attractive female co-stars who are only too happy to accompany Mr Gosling to premieres; and they all have the same, smug, 'Yeah, I'm with Ryan - deal with it' look, like the one Emma Stone currently sports here. Let's face it, so would we.
Crazy Stupid Love premiere, New York, 19th July 2011
Gosling gets serious
It's a look that means business; master of the intense stare, Ryan uses it to good effect in his role as a pick up artist in last year's black comedy.
Crazy Stupid Love, 2011
Top of the class
Lessons were never this much fun in our day. Ryan picked up rave reviews for his portrayal of a drug-addicted inner city teacher.
Half Nelson, 2006.
Table for one
We like how Ryan makes eating solo look so cool (do you reckon he slips the leftovers under the table to his dog, George?)
Keeping it in the family
He often takes his sister, Mandi, and mum, Donna, to premieres with him. Perhaps they act as bodyguards to keep away screaming fans.
Drive, 2011
The ultimate anti-hero
The Gosling cranks up the intense-ometer to maximum to play the mysterious, brooding stuntman in Drive - a man of few words who lets his skill behind the wheel do the talking
Drive, 2011
He wears it well
Ryan is a study in casually dishevelled chic, filming his role as a policeman on the LAPD force in the 1950s in yet another tuxedo.
Gangster Squad set, Los Angeles, November 2011
Dressed for success
Ryan's role as an idealistic campaigner on the election trail in The Ides of March pitted him against industry heavyweight George Clooney as a flawed presidential candidate, and he more than holds his own.
The Ides of March premiere, Los Angeles, September 2011
In thoughtful mode
He just always looks so damn...intelligent. As if he's about to start writing poetry, or compose a sonnet. Or is that just us?
Onscreen chemistry with Michelle Williams
One of the roles that captured our hearts, Ryan's portrayal of a ukelele-playing, working class romantic whose marriage to Michelle's ambitious nurse breaks down is one of his finest.
Blue Valentine, 2010
Our romantic hero
This film marks the birth of Ryan's rise to prominence as a good-looking, heartbreaking lead; the beautiful love story between him and Rachel McAdams' character (the rich girl he falls for) spilled over into real life, and the couple dated for two years.
Scene from The Notebook, 2004.
Best buddies
Can you imagine the hysteria that would ensue if Ryan and George ever went out on the pull together? The phrase 'don't fancy yours much' would literally be redundant.
The Ides of March press conference at Toronto International Film Festival, September 2011
Sharp dressed man
We'll say this about Ryan: he knows how to wear a suit.
Late Show with David Letterman, New York, July 2011
Ryan: the early days
This is an early publicity shot from 2002, pre-intense stare. Check out the fresh faced, boyish good looks, the bashful smile, and the floppy hair. He could basically have become an American Hugh Grant. Thankfully, he did not.
Geek chic
Displaying an endearing willingness to try out different fashion trends, this is actually a still from the film where he plays a delusional man who attempts to form a relationship with a life sized sex doll he buys on the internet. You can't say he doesn't like to push boundaries...
Lars and the Real Girl, 2007
This is where it all began...
In the grand tradition of stars such as Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, young Ryan started his career in the performing arts by regularly appearing on kids TV show The Mickey Mouse Club,singing and dancing. He even has a bad boy past; according to fellow Club member JT, they once stole a golf cart on the MGM film lot.
Ryan is front left next to Britney; Christina Aguilera middle right, JT top right.
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