AceShowbiz - Ryan Gosling is widely known for his versatile acting skills, seamlessly transitioning from a jazz musician in La La Land to an astronaut in a high-stakes space thriller. However, the three-time Oscar nominee recently shared an unexpected revelation about the beginnings of his passion for acting — it all started with daytime television and a soap opera.

On the March 2026 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gosling opened up about his childhood fascination with the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, particularly admiring the work of actress Deidre Hall who plays Marlena Evans. This heartfelt confession sparked a genuine and endearing exchange between the two stars.

Days of Our Lives has been a staple of American daytime television for over six decades, captivating audiences with its dramatic twists involving love triangles, mistaken identities, kidnappings, and more. The show’s intense and fast-paced production schedule requires actors to memorize extensive dialogue quickly and perform under demanding conditions.

During the podcast, Gosling reminisced about how he used to skip school to watch episodes of Days of Our Lives. He expressed deep respect for the soap’s actors, noting the impressive challenge they face: "They do not get the love they deserve," he said. "The amount they have to memorize the night before — like 10 pages of dialogue. They get one take, and it’s impossible scenarios."

This insight not only highlights the grueling nature of daytime soap acting but also underscores the appreciation Ryan Gosling holds for performers who thrive in such an environment.

One storyline that particularly captivated Gosling was the infamous possession arc involving Marlena Evans. In this plot, Marlena is possessed by the devil — a supernatural twist that aired during the 1990s when shows like The X-Files and Twin Peaks were popularizing eerie storylines. Gosling recalled how this arc stood out to him because of the demanding performance it required from Deidre Hall.

"This is right around when X-Files was a big deal. Suddenly, everything got supernatural. She was possessed by the devil," he explained on the podcast. Gosling described watching Hall switch between Marlena’s normal self and the possessed version as a remarkable acting feat, saying, "It was an incredible acting class. What’s amazing is I remember thinking, ‘My God! Deidre Hall’s a great actress because she has to act possessed right now. That just seems like a lot to ask of her.’"

The impact of this storyline clearly resonated with the future star of Barbie, imprinting a strong acting inspiration early in his life.

Since its inception, Days of Our Lives has introduced numerous actors who went on to achieve wider fame. For instance, Christina Applegate appeared on the show as an infant in 1972, and Mila Kunis had an early role before her rise to stardom.

In response to Gosling’s praise, Deidre Hall expressed her gratitude with a heartfelt video message. She thanked him warmly for acknowledging the tough work soap actors endure and invited him to visit the set of Days of Our Lives.

"We’re just thrilled to be acknowledged and to be so well spoken of," Hall said, sharing that the cast had watched the podcast clip together behind the scenes. Her open invitation was met with enthusiasm by Gosling, who quickly accepted.

In a follow-up video shared on Instagram accounts connected to his partner Eva Mendes and his film Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling called Hall his "OG acting inspiration." He made it clear that her influence was pivotal, stating, "This is a very enthusiastic yes to a very cordial invitation. I will be there to thank you in person. It wasn’t Marlon Brando. It wasn’t De Niro. It was you."

Although the exact timing for this much-anticipated meeting is still unclear due to the current lack of a filming schedule for Days of Our Lives, Gosling remains busy promoting Project Hail Mary, which is now showing in theaters. Fans of both stars are eagerly awaiting news of when this special visit will happen.

This exchange between a Hollywood A-lister and a soap opera icon is a rare and genuine celebration of the hard work behind daytime television, shining a spotlight on the talent and dedication required to succeed in this demanding genre.

It also serves as a reminder of how influential soap operas have been in shaping the careers and passions of actors across generations. For Ryan Gosling, the journey from a young fan glued to his TV screen to a celebrated actor has deep roots in the world of Salem’s fictional drama and Deidre Hall’s unforgettable performances.

As this story unfolds, audiences will be watching closely, hopeful to witness the moment when Ryan Gosling visits the set that played a significant role in inspiring his path to stardom.