While many might assume that Ryan Gosling landed the lead role in the romantic drama The Notebook due to his good looks, the reality is quite the opposite. In a revealing interview, Gosling shared that director Nick Cassavetes approached him with a surprising proposition. Cassavetes told him,
"I want you to play this role because you're not like other young actors in Hollywood. You're not handsome, you're not cool; you're just a regular guy who looks a little weird."
Yes, you read that right: Ryan Gosling was considered "not handsome." It's amusing to reflect on this perspective, especially considering how much he has become a heartthrob since then. In 2004, when The Notebook was released, Gosling's appearance was less polished than it is today, but he still had a unique charm that resonated with audiences.