Ryan Gosling Shares the Sweet Reason He Was So Starstruck When He Asked for His First Autograph

Maggie Clancy
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Imagine being a young fan, heart pounding and palms sweating, as you muster the courage to approach your idol for their signature. The idea alone is enough to send shivers down the spine of many, but not a 13-year-old Ryan Gosling. Back in his early teens, Gosling experienced a moment that would stick with him for life, involving none other than acting royalty and a memorable cinematic performance.

“The first person I asked was [professional wrestler] The Ultimate Warrior, and he said no,” Gosling shared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 9. This initial rejection, however, couldn’t dampen his spirit for long, because the very next celebrity he approached would mark a pivotal moment in his young life. “But the second person I asked — the first person to give it to me — was Ms. Angela Bassett.”

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At the age of 13, after being completely captivated by Bassett’s performance in What’s Love Got to Do with It, Gosling found himself in awe. “It was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen, and still is,” he confided to Colbert.

The serendipitous meeting happened at an AMC movie theater, where Gosling stumbled upon Bassett engaging in conversation with actor/comedian Sinbad. “I don’t know if they were with each other; I don’t know. They were talking,” he noted, recalling the moment that led to his memorable interaction with Bassett, per People.

Gosling rounded off his trip down memory lane with a funny tidbit about the last autograph he obtained — not for himself, but for his partner Eva Mendes. “The last person” he got an autograph from was actor and comedian Jim J. Bullock. “She’s a big Jim J. Bullock fan,” Gosling shared, giving a glimpse into his ultra-private life with Mendes.

What’s Love Got to Do With It, directed by Brian Gibson, captures Turner’s escape from an abusive relationship and her rise to international fame, highlighted by stunning performances of her famous songs. Bassett’s performance is universally admired for its depth and authenticity, and many fans — most likely Gosling included — feel she was snubbed when she lost the Best Actress Oscar in 1993.

Before you go, click here to see the most iconic roles played by Black women in movies & TV.

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