A lost mail leads to a surprising revelation about Ryan Gosling’s past.

Hollywood star Ryan Gosling is known for his charismatic presence on and off the screen and has captivated audiences with a diverse range of memorable roles throughout his career. However, before gaining recognition for his performances in films like The Notebook and Barbie, the actor embodied another iconic character in a TV series, Young Hercules.

Ryan Gosling's Ken in BarbieRyan Gosling as Ken in Barbie | Credit: Warner Bros.

Gosling portrayed the titular character in the show, which was canceled after a single season. While the actor doesn’t delve into discussions about this earlier role, it did come up while promoting his recent film The Fall Guy, after he got back a lost mail, that was delivered to an old address.

Ryan Gosling’s Lost Mail Revealation Led to Speculative Discussion

During a promotional interview for The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling found himself at the center of an unexpected saga. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actor was handed his mail, which was delivered to an old address.

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy | Credit: Universal Pictures

The mail, which appeared like a check, quickly became a topic of speculative and humorous conversation, with Gosling and his co-star Emily Blunt wondering what it could be about. “Maybe it was for Young Hercules,” Blunt speculated, reflecting on the 1998 TV series.

The actor also mentioned receiving mail from the “American Society of Composers,” prompting Blunt to inquire if he had a secret music career. Gosling did pursue a brief musical career. Before making rounds with the Oscar-nominated song, I’m Just Ken, the Barbie star was part of a rock band duo named, Dead Man’s Bones

Ryan Gosling as Ken in BarbieRyan Gosling in Barbie (2023) | Credit: Warner Bros.

The duo, including Gosling and Zach Shields, released their first album, Dead Man’s Bones, in 2009. “Is this the wrong Ryan Gosling? Is there another Ryan Gosling?” Blunt speculated surprisingly. The actor also played along with the jest.

He said, “I’m Bryan Rosling. So, I don’t know… who Ryan Gosling is.” The conversation concluded with Blunt expressing curiosity about the mail’s contents, suggesting it might be best for Gosling to open it privately at home.

Ryan Gosling on Young Hercules and Transitioning to Movies

Initially introducing the Yellowstone actor Ian Bohen in the lead role in the pilot, Young Hercules recast Ryan Gosling in the role for the series. The actor landed the part at the age of 17 in the short-lived Fox series during his initial years in the film industry.

Ryan Gosling in Young Hercules | Credit: IMDbRyan Gosling in Young Hercules | Credit: IMDb

In a reflective interview with the Vancouver Sun in 2002, the actor shared that while his initial motivation for taking on the role was purely for enjoyment, his aspirations evolved with time. “Initially, I did the series because it was fun,” he said, as per People.

He further shared, “But then I started to care too much about it, and it wasn’t fun anymore…” The 43-year-old actor shared that he aspired for a more immersive acting experience and explored diverse roles that he might not have been able to do on television.

“I wanted to do films, have more time to sit with a character and to try to play different characters,” he said before revealing that it prompted him to make a pivotal decision for his acting career. “So I just said, ‘No more television,’” he recalled.

Remember the Titans Remember the Titans | Credit: Walt Disney Pictures

The actor maintained his stance, as he has not taken on a prominent TV role in over two decades, limiting himself to brief appearances in a number of shows. He eventually landed a supporting role alongside Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans, transforming into the silver screen.

Young Hercules is available to stream on Prime Video.