Ryan Gosling Recalls His Childhood Love for Soap Operas

Los Angeles — Ryan Gosling has shared a nostalgic glimpse into his childhood, revealing that television—especially soap operas—played a big role in his early years.

The Project Hail Mary star admitted that he didn’t have many friends growing up and often turned to TV for company. Among his favorites were the popular morning show Live! with Regis and Kelly and the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gosling said he would sometimes pretend to be sick just to stay home and watch his favorite shows. “I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up. I had television,” he shared, recalling how much he enjoyed those programs.

The Barbie actor also praised soap opera performers, saying they don’t receive the recognition they deserve. He highlighted the demanding nature of their work, pointing out that they often have to memorise long scripts overnight and perform scenes in a single take.

Gosling specifically mentioned veteran actress Deidre Hall, known for her role as Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives. He described watching her intense storylines—such as her character being possessed—as an “incredible acting class” that left a lasting impression on him.

He also noted how surreal it feels that, years later, he still comes across similar dramatic plotlines when he revisits the show.

When asked about his interest in sci-fi, Gosling admitted he had watched Doctor Who in the past, but said his real preference has always been soap operas.

With inputs from IANS