Ryan Gosling is 45 years old in 2026 — and he is having the biggest science-fiction year of his career. 🚀
The Canadian heartthrob who broke millions of hearts in The Notebook traded romance for rocket ships this spring, starring in Project Hail Mary, which released March 20, 2026. He plays Ryland Grace and also served as a producer on the film.
Then came the galaxy-shaking news: Gosling is leading Star Wars: Starfighter, now filming under director Shawn Levy and due in May 2027. From Ken to the cosmos, his transformation has been remarkable.
Here is how the Mouse Club kid became Hollywood’s man of the moment.
Below is his full then-and-now story, updated for October 2026.
Then: The Mickey Mouse Club Kid Who Became Notebook Noah 🌟
Ryan Thomas Gosling was born on November 12, 1980, in London, Ontario, Canada. As a kid, he was so inspired by Dick Tracy that he auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club — and got in.
From 1993 to 1995, he performed alongside future superstars Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. While his castmates chased pop music, Gosling chose acting.
After the Mouse Club ended, he worked steadily in Canadian television. His early roles included Breaker High and the title role in Young Hercules.
Everything changed in 2004 with The Notebook. As the devoted Noah Calhoun opposite Rachel McAdams, the 23-year-old became an overnight romantic icon. 💕
The film turned him into a household name and one of the most wanted leading men in Hollywood. But Gosling refused to be typecast as just a pretty face.
Middle: The Serious Actor Who Became Ken 🎬
Gosling spent the 2010s proving his range. He earned his first Academy Award nomination for the 2006 indie drama Half Nelson, playing a troubled teacher.
Then came Drive (2011), where his silent, leather-jacketed stunt driver became a pop-culture phenomenon. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) showed off his comedy chops.
In 2016, he starred opposite Emma Stone in La La Land, earning his second Oscar nomination. He learned piano for the role, playing every note himself. 🎹
He followed it with Blade Runner 2049 (2017), taking on the legacy of a sci-fi classic. Critics praised his quiet, haunted performance as Officer K.
Then came another giant leap — literally. First Man (2018) cast him as Neil Armstrong, reuniting him with La La Land director Damien Chazelle. Then Netflix’s The Gray Man (2022) turned him into a globe-trotting action hero opposite Chris Evans.
The 2020s brought a playful turn. His Ken in Barbie (2023) was a sensation — the bleach-blond “I’m Just Ken” number earned him his third Oscar nomination, this time as a supporting actor. The film grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide.
In 2024, he headlined The Fall Guy with his co-star Emily Blunt, playing a battered stuntman in a love letter to Hollywood’s unsung heroes. The two had electric chemistry on the press tour.
Off screen, Gosling has been with actress Eva Mendes since 2011, after they met filming The Place Beyond the Pines. They share two daughters and guard their privacy fiercely. He famously has no official Instagram or social media accounts.
Now (2026): From Ken to the Cosmos 🌌
2026 belongs to Gosling’s sci-fi era. Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, premiered in London on March 9, 2026, and released in the US on March 20, 2026.
He plays Ryland Grace, a middle-school teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with humanity’s survival on his shoulders. Gosling also produced the film through his company.
The movie was a smash: over $685 million worldwide, making it the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2026. Critics and audiences both gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and Gosling produced it alongside them. His co-stars include Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz, who voices Rocky — the alien scene-stealer fans cannot stop talking about. 👽
But the bigger bombshell is Star Wars: Starfighter. Gosling is leading the standalone Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy, now filming in 2026 for a May 2027 release.
The cast includes Mia Goth, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, and Amy Adams. The film is even planned for IMAX 70mm — a sign of massive studio confidence.
Gosling told interviewers that Levy’s enthusiasm and vision convinced him to finally join a franchise. “It was worth waiting for,” he said, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
At 45, the kid from the Mouse Club has become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars — and he is just getting started. ⭐
Quick Answers ❓
How old is Ryan Gosling in 2026?
He is 45. Born November 12, 1980, in London, Ontario, Canada, he turns 46 in November 2026.
When did Project Hail Mary come out?
It premiered in London on March 9, 2026, and released in the US on March 20, 2026. Gosling stars as Ryland Grace and also produced the film, which grossed over $685 million worldwide.
Is Ryan Gosling in a Star Wars movie?
Yes. He is leading Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy. It is filming in 2026 and scheduled for release in May 2027, with IMAX 70mm screenings planned.
Was Ryan Gosling really Ken in Barbie?
Yes. His scene-stealing performance as Ken in Barbie (2023) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, his third Oscar nomination overall.
Who is Ryan Gosling’s wife?
He has been with actress Eva Mendes since 2011. They met on The Place Beyond the Pines and have two daughters together, keeping their family life famously private.
Does Ryan Gosling have Instagram?
No. Gosling has no official Instagram or any verified social media accounts — a deliberate choice to protect his privacy.