HE'S JUST RYAN

He’s the talk of the town and one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but Ryan Gosling’s favorite role is family man BY JAIME HARKIN

- JAIME HARKIN

It’s hard to believe that Ryan Gosling almost didn’t play Ken in last summer’s megahit Barbie. When he was initially offered the role by director Greta Gerwig and the movie’s star and producer Margot Robbie, he passed, citing scheduling conflicts and concerns over how he would bring the iconic blond doll to life. “I was like, ‘I can’t be the guy that messed up the Barbie movie,’” he’s said. Gerwig and Robbie were adamant he was the right man for the job and continued to lobby him until he eventually relented.

The rest is movie magic history. It’s impossible to imagine anyone other than Gosling inhabiting the role of the misguided, lovesick and often neon-clad Ken. His hilarious turn and undeniable “Kenergy” helped the flick rake in $1.4 billion in ticket sales globally and earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

Gosling, 43, appreciates the fanfare. “The movie’s success is a dream come true for Ryan, and being nominated for an Academy Award is obviously a massive honor,” says a source. But at the end of the day, he’s just as happy out of the spotlight, enjoying the quiet life at home in Santa Barbara, Calif., with his longtime partner, Eva Mendes, 49, and their two daughters, Esmeralda, 9, and Amada, 7. “Ryan doesn’t relish attention,” says a second source. “It’s part of the job for him, but he much prefers letting others shine. He doesn’t need to be the star of the show.” Adds the first source: “Parading around the Hollywood scene has never been Ryan’s thing.”