But not everyone might be aware that one of Gosling’s first forays into the acting world was a role on Road to Avonlea in the show’s seventh season.  In the episode “From Away”, Gosling played an English orphan who has trouble abiding by the rules at the Avonlea Foundling Home.

Though Gosling has never had any formal training as an actor, he has been consistently recognized for his high quality work in large films like The Notebook, as well as in small, independent movies, such as The Believer and Half Nelson – which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2007.  This nomination made him the first Canadian actor to be nominated for Best Actor in 62 years – the last actor being Alexander Knox in 1945.

Gosling’s current film, Blue Valentine, is being reviewed as an intensely sad romantic drama about a failed marriage that has pitted its two leads against each other.  A sort of case study of marriage, the film also tells the sweetly innocent story of the couple’s first chance encounter, and allows viewers the chance to see how and why the marriage unfolds. 

Gosling and Williams had been on board to do this film for several years and were both deeply committed to its story – so much so that they actually lived together in a house for a month during a break in filming in order to simulate the relationship of a real married couple.

We will see if Gosling’s method acting - greatly appreciated by all his fans - will have paid off when this year’s Oscar nominations are announced on Jan. 25th.  We will keep you updated!