Evolution of Ryan Gosling

From the very start, Ryan Gosling has showed zero interest in carving a niche. His filmography includes roles ranging from romantic heartthrobs to murderers and corporate scumbags.

"The Mickey Mouse Club" (1993): The Canadian youngster's career began with a recurring role on Disney's revival of "The Mickey Mouse Club," where he befriended castmate Justin Timberlake.

"Goosebumps" (1996): Kids' horror was another highlight of Gosling's childhood career.

"Young Hercules" (1998-1999): Then the young actor traveled to New Zealand to film this kids' series, in which he played the titular son of Zeus during his warrior training.

"Remember the Titans" (2000): Child actors can have a hard time transitioning to a successful adult career, but Gosling made the jump with ease thanks to this Disney family movie.

"The Believer" (2001): Bursting onto the independent film scene, Gosling played a Jewish neo-Nazi who struggles with self-hatred over his heritage.

"Murder by Numbers" (2002): Starring alongside Sandra Bullock, he played a privileged, sociopathic high school student who tries to commit the perfect murder.

"Half Nelson" (2006): He received his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Dan Dunne, a history teacher who forms a unique relationship with one of his students and gets caught snorting cocaine.

"The Lovely Bones" (2009): Gosling was supposed to appear in this Peter Jackson project, but was replaced by Mark Wahlberg. The actor later revealed he was removed for gaining too much weight after initially being deemed too young for his role.

"Blue Valentine" (2010): After a three-year hiatus, Gosling returned to play a man in the midst of a chaotic divorce.

"Crazy, Stupid, Love." (2011): Then he played the womanizing Jacob Palmer in this dark rom-com.

"Drive" (2011): Gosling put his minimalist skills on display playing an unnamed getaway car driver.

"Only God Forgives" (2013): After 2011, Gosling fell into a slump with critics, receiving middling to poor reviews for several years. This was his most polarizing project, reportedly receiving loud jeers when it was screened at Cannes.

"The Big Short" (2015): He made a big comeback with this best picture nominee. He plays Jared Vennett, a slick bond salesman who decides to profit off the speculative housing market bubble at the cost of the bank he works for.

"The Nice Guys" (2016): Gosling returned to comedy to play a jumpy private eye who uncovers a conspiracy.

"La La Land" (2016): Gosling generated major awards attention playing a jazz pianist who woos an aspiring actress in Damien Chazelle's modern musical.

"Blade Runner 2049" (2017): Often criticized for being a stoic, reserved actor, Gosling was the perfect actor to play a replicant in Denis Villeneuve's sequel.

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