Ryan Gosling has had one heck of a year. In 2011, he released three films ("Crazy, Stupid, Love," "Drive," "The Ides of March"), dominated Tumblr memes (ie. Feminist Ryan Gosling), wooed Eva Mendes, and even stopped a street fight in New York City.
On Thursday morning, Gosling's year got a little sweeter with two Golden Globe Award nominations. The 31-year-old is nominated for Best Actor (in a comedy or musical) for his ladies' man role in "Crazy, Stupid, Love" and Best Actor (in a drama) for his portrayal of a political advisor in "The Ides of March." His "Ides" co-star George Clooney is also up for two prizes, including Best Director ("Ides") and Best Actor in "The Descendants."
The nominations are Gosling's third and fourth of his career. He was previously nominated for 2007's "Lars and the Real Girl" and last year's "Blue Valentine." He has never won.
According to Gosling, being in "Crazy, Stupid, Love" was a health choice more than anything.
"I had to go get a physical after I did 'Blue Valentine.' For no particular reason, just that I needed a checkup. My doctor wrote me a prescription, and on it, it said, 'Do a comedy.' So I took his advice [and did 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'] and I feel better . . . it was just what the doctor ordered," he told Slate in July.
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But don't expect the Canadian actor to sign up for more comedies anytime soon. Gosling is already gearing up for the release of a handful of dramas in the New Year, including "The Gangster Squad," opposite Emma Stone, Sean Penn and Josh Brolin. Gosling also recently finished filming "The Place Beyond the Pines" with his "Blue Valentine" director Derek Cianfrance.
To find out if Gosling comes out of the Golden Globe Awards a (double) winner, tune into the show on Jan. 15.
For now, here's a look back at some of the highlights of the Year of Gosling, double nominee (in no particular order).
Ryan Gosling and the Street Fight
In August, Gosling was walking down the street in New York City's East Village, when he came upon a group of men fighting over a painting. In his nautical best (blue and white striped tank, shorts, blue baseball cap), Gosling immediately grabbed the arm of one of the men and escorted the group off the road, which was full of rush-hour cars at the time. His heroic efforts were caught on video, which has since been viewed by more than one million people.
Tumblr King
Since the arrival of F--kyeahryangosling, a Tumblr site devoted to witty and hilarious musings (that begin with "Hey Girl") paired with Gosling photos, several more have surfaced.
There's "Feminist Ryan Gosling" ("The post-feminist fetishization of motherhood is deeply rooted in classism but I still think we'd make cute babies"), "Is Ryan Gosling Cuter Than A Puppy?" (where there are literally hundreds of photos of Gosling beside a puppy), and the latest, "Legal Ryan Gosling" ("Hey Girl. I know you're busy with exams, but I was just wondering . . . have you reviewed this body of law?").
The 'Sexiest Man Alive' Title
When Gosling was not named People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," all hell broke loose -- among Gosling fans. Some even held a brief protest outside People's New York offices, holding Gosling masks and signs that read "Ryan was robbed."
Earlier this month, "Sexiest Man Alive" title holder Bradley Cooper spoke out on the ordeal, even complimenting on Gosling's street style.
"There's him, walking around, and he literally looks like he's in a photo shoot, like he just came off the runway, with the pea coat like this, with the scarf . . . [and there are photos] of me, and I literally look like the neighbor who never really comes out of his house," Cooper said on "The Graham Norton Show" in London.
