Ryan Gosling was born on November 12, 1980 in London, Ontario to Thomas and Donna Gosling, and was the second of their two children. The Gosling family, who are Mormon, moved to Cornwall, Ontario, where Ryan grew up and was home-schooled by his mother. The family then relocated to Burlington, Ontario, where Ryan attended Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, Ontario.

Ryan first performed as a singer at talent contests with his older sister Mandi. He attended an open audition in Montreal for the TV series "The Mickey Mouse Club" (The All New Mickey Mouse Club) in January 1993, and beat out 17,000 other aspiring actors for a a spot on the show. While appearing on "MMC" for two years, he lived with co-star Justin Timberlake's family.

Though he has received no formal acting training, after "Mickey Mouse", Gosling segued into an acting career, appearing on the TV series "Young Hercules" and "Breaker High", as well as the films "The Slaughter Rule", "Murder by Numbers", and "Remember the Titans". He first attracted serious critical attention with his performance as the Jewish anti-Semite in the controversial film _ Believer, The (2001), which won the Grand Jury Prize winner at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. He was cast in the part by writer-director Henry Bean, who believed that Gosling's strict Mormon upbringing gave him the insight to understand the character Danny, whose obsessiveness with the Judaism he was born into turns to hatred. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award as Best Male Lead in 2002 for the role and won the Golden Aries award from the Russian Guild of Film Critics.

After appearing in the sleeper The Notebook in 2004, Gosling won the dubious honor of being named one of the "Fifty Hottest Bachelors" by People Magazine. More significantly, he was named the Male Star of Tomorrow at the 2004 Show West convention of movie exhibitors.

Gosling reached the summit of his profession with his performance in _Half Nelson (2006), which garnered him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor. In a short-time, he has established himself as one of the finest actors of his generation.
Is an accomplished jazz guitarist. Parents: Thomas & Donna. Older sister Mandi. First break came in January 1993 when open auditions were held in Montreal for The All New Mickey Mouse Club. Ryan went to Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Was taken out of elementary school as a child, and taught at home by his mother, due to constant abuse from other students. He has a dog named George. Dated Murder by Numbers co-star Sandra Bullock (2002-2003). Built the kitchen table featured in The Notebook in preparation for his role as Noah. Was named one of People Magazine's 50 Hottest Bachelors [2004] While on The All New Mickey Mouse Club, he lived with Justin Timberlake and his mother. Purchased the Jeep Cherokee, driven by Ben Chaplin in Murder by Numbers from the set of the movie. Favorite movie is East of Eden Enjoys Jazz and Chet Baker. Keeps in touch with his Breaker High co-star Scott Vickaryous. Beat out 17,000 people for a place in The All New Mickey Mouse Club in January 1993 His favourite actor is Gary Oldman. He was named the 2004 Sho West Male Star of Tomorrow Writer-director Henry Bean believed that Gosling's strict Mormon upbringing helped the actor to understand the intense obsessiveness (and growing hatred) with Judaism that his character, Danny, has in The Believer. Born in London, Ontario and moved soon after to Cornwall, Ontario where he was raised. Then moved to Burlington, Ontario during his high school years. Born in the same hospital as his The Notebook co-star Rachel McAdams -- St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario -- though he's younger. Has released a song titled "Put Me in the Car" which can be found on his website. With two of his friends, he has opened a Moroccan restaurant called Tagine in Beverly Hills, California. Met his girlfriend, Rachel McAdams, on the set of The Notebook. In school, his nickname was "trouble". He moved to Los Angeles when he was 16. Took his mother and his sister to the Oscars in 2007. Traveled to Chad in 2005 to make a documentary on the Darfur refugees living there. One of 115 people invited to join AMPAS in 2007. Lives in the popular Los Angeles neighborhood of Silverlake. Other Silverlake locals include Beck, Bo Barrett, Christina Ricci, Rachel McAdams and Jason Lee.