Santa Barbara International Film Festival honors Ryan Gosling With Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film

With awards season in full swing, lots of Hollywood’s best were in attendance to celebrate Oscar-nominated actor Ryan Gosling. “Ryan Gosling has long been both a dramatic and comedic force in front of the camera. This year, thanks to his universally hailed, triumphant performance as Ken in BARBIE – a film that truly demanded the attention of critics and moviegoers around the world – he has become a true cinematic powerhouse,” stated Executive Director, Roger Durling. The Big Short co-star Steve Carell shared many a kind word about Gosling. Steve Carell joked: “I do love Ryan Gosling. I love him more than my wife. He is smart and intuitive and funny, he is a joy to be around, and most of all, and this is a big one for me, he is kind. Santa Barbara, you got this one right.”

Director Greta Gerwig was also in attendance to celebrate and honor Gosling. “There is no one that I would rather be giving a speech about than Ryan  Gosling. He is so outrageously talented, it’s hard to know where exactly to begin.”

Gosling took to the stage, filled with joy and emotion to accept the award. “I was not emotionally prepared for tonight.”

“If I knew that Steve and Greta were going to be this great - charming, smart, gracious, funny - I would have suggested that I open and they close - so we can end on a high note.”“It’s hard to feel deserving of all this, but I remind myself that the proceeds go to a wonderful cause, so it doesn't really matter if I deserve it or not.”

Speaking to Kirk Douglas’ legacy: “He is completely and utterly in a class of his own… and I’m just Ken?” On Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling said: “He was so damn funny that the boom operator dropped the boom to hold his ribs. That’s how hard he was laughing. It’s the first time I've seen someone be so good it was a problem.” On Greta Gerwig, Ryan Gosling said: “I don’t even know where to start with Greta. Even though she was making one of the biggest films of all time, she never let the weight of the task get in the way of what was important.” “But most importantly, I got to meet the girl of my dreams, Eva Mendes, and have two dream children. I dreamed of making movies and now movies have made my life a dream.No way I have contributed half as much to cinema as cinema has given to me.”

Congratulations to Ryan Gosling on such an amazing achievement!