“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my life” — Ryan Gosling just set the standard for Girl Dads
Ryan Gosling didn’t just talk about fatherhood. He casually redefined what being a dad looks like.
Ryan Gosling may have been on The Drew Barrymore Show to talk about his latest work, but the conversation didn’t just stay there. As the interview unfolded, it moved beyond the usual talking points and into something more personal and reflective. It was one of those moments that felt less like promotion and more like a glimpse into how his everyday life is quietly shaping everything else.
Ryan Gosling’s latest role takes him far beyond anything he’s done before. In Project Hail Mary, he plays a former science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory, only to realize he’s on a last-ditch mission to save Earth.
It’s a mix of high-stakes sci-fi and emotional depth, giving Gosling plenty of room to carry the film with an intensity that’s both intense and surprisingly personal.
After a warm and playful welcome from Drew Barrymore, Gosling settled in to talk about his upcoming role in Project Hail Mary, but the conversation naturally shifted to something much more personal: life as a dad.
Barrymore kicked things off by sharing how much she admires his wife, noting that he and she also both belong to what she called the “two girls club.” That’s when Gosling lit up.
“It’s also the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. He went on to describe his daughters as the funniest people he’s ever met, adding that they play a huge role in shaping his perspective. That influence, he explained, even extends to his career choices.
“I never dreamed of making something this good, and it’s no coincidence that it’s because they’re in my life,” he said, giving credit to his daughters for inspiring him to take on Project Hail Mary.
The audience immediately responded to the heartfelt moment, and Barrymore leaned in with a follow-up. She mentioned hearing that his daughters may have also influenced another major decision. His role in Barbie.
Gosling confirmed there was some truth to that, admitting that his initial instinct was actually to pass. In the beginning, he said, it just felt easier to say no.
When Barrymore asked what held him back, he explained, “How do you play a 70-year-old crotchless doll who’s shirtless all the time? It was just a lot.” But his perspective changed once he started paying closer attention to how his daughters played.
He noticed they were using their Barbies to process and act out real-world ideas. At one point, after hearing the word arthritis, his daughters staged an unexpected scene and had him asking, “Why is Ken dead? And they were like, he died. He had arthritis.” For Gosling, moments like that clicked into place.
He described it as something surprisingly meaningful. His daughters didn’t fully understand these concepts, but they were trying to make sense of them in their own way. That realization helped him better understand what director Greta Gerwig was doing with the Barbie script.
“She was taking these larger, harder to understand themes, and using dolls to sort of act them out.” From there, Ken’s role started to feel much clearer.
Gosling even joked that the next time he saw a Ken doll face down in the mud in his backyard, it would all make sense. His daughters weren’t interested in Ken in the traditional way, but that, in its own way, gave him everything he needed to understand the character.
And ultimately, it’s that perspective, shaped by fatherhood, that seems to be guiding some of his most memorable choices.
The reactions
It’s safe to say that Ryan’s frankness and relaxed attitude are winning audiences over every time he appears on podcasts and interviews.
One person wrote, “Ryan Gosling is honestly the perfect girl-dad.” Another said, “Proud of our Canadian Ryan Gosling, a great actor and human being!”
This person commented on his humor, saying, “He should host SNL every season.” Someone else gave previous credit to other roles. “He was great in the stunt man movie so I’ll see this.”
Another wrote about the film. “I saw PROJECT HAIL MARY today… loved it. People really should see it at the cinema.”
Why this matters
Ryan Gosling’s comments land at a time when the definition of masculinity and fatherhood is clearly shifting. Instead of leaning into the distant, stoic dad stereotype, he openly centers joy, emotional connection, and his kids’ influence. He talks about learning from his daughters, letting their curiosity shape his perspective, and even allowing that to guide major career decisions.
That kind of openness signals a different model of masculinity. One that values presence over control and connection over image. For many parents, especially fathers, it reflects a growing reality: being engaged, emotionally aware, and influenced by your children isn’t a weakness. It’s the standard.
