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Ryan Gosling before and after
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Ryan Gosling at the 2024 Los Angeles premiere of The Fall Guy.

Ryan Gosling, Before and After

The beauty evolution of the ‘Barbie’ star.

Most of our Before & After subjects are women. But if you’re a close observer of Hollywood celebrities, you’ve probably wondered if the men are altering their features, too. After all, we know that male cosmetic procedures are on the rise (whether it’s “Brotox” or the full-fledged “Daddy Do-Over”).1

And who might be a better candidate than an actor in his 40s with major heartthrob status? He’s someone whose face has inspired countless “Hey, girl” memes. And once, his fans actually staged a protest when he narrowly lost to Bradley Cooper for the title of “Sexiest Man Alive.”2

I’m talking about Ryan Gosling, of course. Thanks to roles in The Notebook, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and most recently, Barbie, the 43-year-old star is known as one of Hollywood’s most handsome leading men. 

That’s why fans were shocked when he stepped out at his most recent film premiere looking a little different. “Filler is all I see,” said one commenter, while another wrote, “I am begging these two to stop messing with their faces.”3 (He was with Emily Blunt, who has also been the subject of scrutiny.)

So did Ryan really do something to his face? Let’s take a closer look at how he’s changed over the years, from 1992 until now. 

Ryan Before Fame: 1992-2003

At a 1992 Appearance on ‘The Graham Northon Show’

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From The Skincare Edit Archives

First of all, if you haven’t seen this video of an 11-year-old Ryan dancing in MC Hammer pants, it’s essential viewing. He had charisma to spare even back then! 

As ‘Young Hercules’ in 1998

Ryan Gosling Young Hercules 1998

After a two-year stint on The Mickey Mouse Club (alongside Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears), he landed the starring role in the TV series Young Hercules at age 17. Inexplicably, the costume department had him get blonde highlights and a deep spray tan—kind of like his Ken look in the Barbie movie, 25 years later! Also notice his nose, and how it has a distinctive hump along the bridge.

At the 2001 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘The Believer’

Ryan Gosling The Believer Los Angeles premiere 2001

By 2001, Ryan had transitioned from TV to film, ditching the blonde hair and fake tan along the way. Here, we can see his actual skin tone, along with his natural dark blonde hair colour. Much better, right? Sandra Bullock thought so, too, because they were dating at the time. He may have undergone some refinements to his nose as well, since it doesn’t seem as prominent or crooked.

At the 2002 New York City Premiere of ‘Murder by Numbers’

Ryan Gosling Murder by Numbers New York City premiere 2002

But there was one more blip on the path to hunkdom: this weird chocolate brown dye job he got in 2002. It wasn’t by choice—it was for his role in The United States of Leland—and I think we can all agree that it’s definitely not in his ideal colour palette. (The same goes for the brown hair he had in 2015’s The Big Short, which he wore with another spray tan. What is it with Ryan Gosling and spray tans?!)

Hollywood Hottie: 2004-2018

At the 2004 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘The Notebook’