Ryan Gosling's best film and TV roles, ranked

True Gosling fans remember his supporting role in this classic Denzel Washington football favorite. However, to casual fans of Gosling's work, it might be easy to forget he was even in the picture, which is only his second feature-film appearance. Gosling's Alan provides some comic relief amid a rather serious, yet inspiring, film. He's goofy, tries his best on the football field, and overcomes some initial concern about being part of an integrated high school — and football team — to appreciate his surroundings. Now, he can use some work on his locker-room dance moves. 

By 2005, Gosling had earned mainstream success and was well on his way to becoming a Hollywood A-lister. Stay is not one of Gosling's better overall films, but his performance is worthy of a spot on our list. Gosling's Henry is a heavy character; paranoid, depressed, yet oddly intriguing to the point that there is a certain sense of compassion one feels for him. It's also a sign of how good an effort Gosling gave, even if critics leaned on the negative side in their appraisals of the film, notably for an uneven plot.

Apparently Gosling fancied playing the role of a football player in his early career. In this independent picture from the early 2000s, Gosling delivers a solid performance as a mildly troubled Montana teen, who is cut from the high school football team only to find a spot on a nearby six-team squad after befriending the coach (David Morse), who might have had other motives for bringing Roy aboard. The movie earned some love at the Sundance Film Festival, and is worth a look for those into Gosling's film catalogue.  

From 1993-95, Gosling occasionally appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club as his initial television acting job. He then found his way into an episode of Nickelodeon's popular Are You Afraid of the Dark? during the middle of the decade. In his case, he appears in the episode "The Tale of Station 109.1," where his snarky 15-year-old Jamie Leary has to deal with the antics of a pesky younger brother. It was the first time Gosling earned major TV face time, and offered a hint of promise for his ability to subtly command a scene.

Canada has produced some of the best teen-oriented television of all time (Degrassi, You Can't Do That on Television, etc). Add Breaker High to the mix. The teen comedy-drama, set on a cruise ship (that was actually a school on water), featured a gawky Gosling as wavy-haired, hockey-playing Sean (who might be sporting a Brooklyn accent). Sean is a goofball of sorts, but fun nonetheless. The series didn't have massive North American appeal like Saved by the Bell or Beverly Hills, 90201, but it's highly amusing to see a Hollywood superstar in the early stages of his career. 

By the mid-to-late portion of the 2010s, Gosling was at the point where he could work with other Hollywood heavyweights and not worry about being overshadowed. In this neo-noir buddy action comedy, Gosling, as 1970s private eye Holland March, teams with Russell Crowe to solve the case of a girl who has disappeared. One aspect of Gosling's career that should be lauded is his ability to be subtly hilarious. He can make people laugh without even trying, and in a way that lends credibility to his work in comedic environments, while not taking away the impact of his dramatic roles. 

When it comes to one of Gosling's most underrated roles, look no further than this psychological legal crime thriller. As young, promising, and brash deputy district attorney William "Willy" Beachum, Gosling more than holds his own opposite the film's star, legendary actor Anthony Hopkins, whose Ted Crawford, a successful aeronautical engineer, shoots his cheating wife. The banter and dynamic between the two characters is the best part of the film, with Gosling delivering on his potential to be a star.

This biopic about the legendary astronaut failed to generate box-office success, but Gosling does a solid job depicting the personal side of this American hero — a side that's maybe not really well known to the public. One of the better aspects of the movie is Gosling's ability to exude the emotional struggles Armstrong endured while balancing his obviously challenging professional life with a personal journey that dealt with the loss of his young daughter, several friends and coming to grips with his own potential mortality.

Understandably, there was plenty of viewer apprehension when word came down that a sequel to this 1982 cult classic, starring Harrison Ford, was coming out. However, to the surprise of many, Gosling — along with Blade Runner originals Ford and Edward James Olmos — pull off the feat quite well. In fact, Gosling seems like the perfect generational bridge for fans of the original and newcomers (or fans of his other work) to continue the overall brilliance of these neo-noir science fiction films. In many ways, Gosling has plenty of Ford's roguish, yet subtly humorous, acting qualities that made them both stars.

This is the first of Gosling's co-starring roles with Steve Carell to be highlighted. Both were part of a star-studded ensemble cast from this brilliant biographical drama about the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. And, while Carell, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt might have earned more critical acclaim, Gosling is enthrallingly good as Jared Vennett (based on notorious hedge fund manager Greg Lippmann) the shady, money-hungry Deutsche Bank salesman. He certainly has many memorable moments, which is a big deal considering the company he's keeping in the film.

Gosling's character in this action drama has a lot going on. Seemingly, none of it is good. Branching out beyond an honorable profession as a stunt driver into one of a getaway driver and wannabe heist king sounds appealing, but obviously comes with plenty of risk. That said, Gosling's role is a big reason this action drama made $81.4 million at the box office against a budget of $15 million. As we'll see further on this list, 2011 proved to be a very good year for Gosling's acting career.

Gosling earned his second Golden Globe Award nomination for this lauded drama co-starring Michelle Williams (who also earned a Golden Globe, as well as an Academy Award nomination for her role). The chemistry between Gosling and Williams, who play a married couple addressing the status of their relationship (told through the help of flashback scenes) is captivating and emotional not only to the eye, but also the heart and mind. Blue Valentine is a true "character" film, where the acting is obviously at a premium, and both stars knock it out of the park. 

Even with a number of Hollywood elite like George Clooney (who also directed the film), Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman part of this popular political drama, Gosling manages to stand out as a promising, idealistic, junior campaign manager who becomes overcome with the prospect of power to turn corrupt. As he did with the aforementioned Blue Valentine, Gosling earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama. He did not win, but the part is certainly worth celebrating, especially these types of roles when Gosling's character is not morally or ethically appealing.

More from the Ryan Gosling-Steve Carell dynamic. Romantic comedy characters can be hit or miss for famous actors and actresses, especially those who have earned acclaim for their dramatic work. That said, Gosling's womanizing Jacob Palmer, who takes on the unlucky-in-love Cal Weaver (Carell) as a pet project to help him do better with women, is actually one of the young actor's most entertaining roles. So much so, that Gosling — remembered largely here for his shirtless scenes — earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor —Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for the character.

The platinum blonde hair, tanned body and six-pack abs. Gosling nailed the real-life Ken doll (we won't go into any anatomical description), but the pre-release hype and much of the initial reviews of the highly anticipated Greta Gerwig picture revolved around Margot Robbie's title-role performance, and the film's overall themes of feminism and female empowerment. However, some critics and reviews have noted that Gosling's Ken steals many a scene. Some of the movie's most notable laughs come courtesy of Barbie's beau, a role that offers more substance than one would think.

This is the role that essentially introduced the movie-going public to Ryan Gosling, who starred as a young, Jewish neo-Nazi in this drama loosely based on a true story. Three years earlier, American History X drew rave reviews with Edward Norton in the lead role as a ruthless neo-Nazi who later reforms after a stint in prison. The Believer didn't receive that level of mainstream love, but the similar, yet unique, subject matter makes an equally compelling tale. This might be Gosling's darkest role, and Danny Balint is certainly not likable, but the portrayal and performance are riveting nonetheless. It was only Gosling's third big-screen role, and it wouldn't be long before he became a household name in Hollywood. 

There are those Hollywood critics who believe this is Gosling's signature role. However, it can also be argued that he doesn't really have one. Regardless the line of thinking, Seb, the struggling pianist looking for his big break — but not low enough to play the keytar in a garage band — solidified Gosling as a Hollywood A-lister. Yes, co-star Emma Stone (who he also appeared with in the aforementioned Crazy, Stupid, Love) won an Oscar for Best Actress, but Gosling earned his first Academy Award nomination (Best Actor) and won his only Golden Globe to date for the performance. It doesn't top our list, but it's a special role nonetheless.

There are those who totally love this movie, falling in love with the on-screen chemistry between Gosling and co-star Rachel McAdams, and there are many who can't stand it. Either way, it made Gosling an undeniable Hollywood star. However, the most endearing parts of the movie came via veterans James Garner and Gena Rowlands, the older versions of Noah and Allie. Younger Noah is confident and roguish, a rugged everyman with a heart — and handsome face, great body and terrific hair. Perhaps the best thing about Gosling's success from a strong performance was that he enjoyed the experience, moved on and did not necessarily allow it to define his career.

Two years after the success of the The Notebook, Gosling proved he was a Hollywood star here to stay. With Half Nelson, the then-26-year-old Gosling earned his first Academy Award nomination for the role of Dan Dunne, a rather popular middle-school teacher in Brooklyn, who is struggling outside the classroom with drug addiction. It's arguably Gosling's most powerful role: a promising, yet troubled and vulnerable character that engrosses the viewer. Dan is not always easy to watch, but audiences should want him to succeed amid his grueling personal battle. 

Perhaps a stretch for this position considering Gosling's more prominent or celebrated characters. Lars and the Real Girl did not enjoy box-office success (failing to surpass its reported $12.5 million budget), but Gosling earned both Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations as Lars, a small-town, Wisconsin introvert who has long struggled with the fact his mother died giving birth to him. At one point, Lars begins a "serious" relationship with a lifelike adult doll. The premise is certainly weird, but Gosling's performance draws sympathy for his plight, and his community's reaction to helping him overcome a mental condition that has consumed his life.