Understanding Ryan Gosling’s Fandom for Soap Star Deidre Hall
Ryan Gosling has an impressive range, effortlessly transitioning from a jazz-loving romantic in La La Land to a space-traveling astronaut. Recently, the three-time Oscar nominee shared a surprisingly unique origin story about his acting journey, which includes skipping school, indulging in daytime TV, and becoming captivated by Days of Our Lives.
This revelation unfolded on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in March 2026, where Gosling expressed admiration for Deidre Hall’s character, Marlena Evans, leading to one of the most delightful celebrity interactions we’ve witnessed in some time.
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He’s Been a Soap Fan Since Way Back
During his appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in March 2026, Ryan Gosling was promoting Project Hail Mary, his latest sci-fi thriller adaptation, when the conversation took an unexpected turn to his passion for soap operas.
Gosling reminisced about his youthful days of skipping school to watch classic soaps like Days of Our Lives, sharing insights into the iconic storylines set in Salem, the show’s fictional town, along with the intense preparations of daytime actors.
“They truly don’t receive the recognition they deserve,” Gosling remarked. “The volume they memorize overnight — up to 10 pages of lines. They get just one take for impossible scenarios.”
Ten pages with one take—that’s the relentless reality soap actors face daily, and Gosling clearly holds a deep respect for their craft.
The Marlena Possession Arc Blew His Mind
Among all the drama unfolding in Salem that captivated young Gosling, one storyline remained particularly memorable: the plotline where Deidre Hall’s character, Marlena Evans, becomes possessed by the devil.
“This happened around the time X-Files was trending. Suddenly, everything turned supernatural. She was possessed by the devil,” he shared on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast.
In the 1990s, supernatural story arcs became a TV phenomenon, evident in shows like The X-Files, Unsolved Mysteries, and Twin Peaks. Days of Our Lives embraced this trend with its famed Marlena possession storyline, even inspiring the short-lived supernatural series Passions.
What truly impressed Gosling was Hall’s ability to portray such an outrageous role.
“It was a masterclass in acting,” he reflected. “What struck me was thinking, ‘Wow! Deidre Hall is an incredible actress because she has to embody a possessed character right now. That seems like a monumental task.’”
Witnessing Hall seamlessly transition from a “normal person” to someone “possessed by the devil” profoundly impacted the future Barbie star.
After 60 years on air, Days of Our Lives has featured a plethora of memorable guest stars. For instance, Christina Applegate of Married…With Children fame appeared as a baby named Burt Grizell in 1972. Long before marrying Ashton Kutcher and launching her own family, Mila Kunis played a […]
Deidre Hall’s Response Was Perfect
Deidre Hall, who has portrayed Marlena on Days of Our Lives since 1976, was quick to express her gratitude for Gosling’s kind words. Days later, she delivered a video message, thanking him and inviting him to visit the set.
“We’re overjoyed to be recognized and to receive such praise,” she stated, revealing that the cast shared the podcast clip with her behind the scenes.
Ryan Gosling Said Yes — And His Message Was Everything
Ryan Gosling wasted no time responding to Deidre Hall, accepting her invitation in a follow-up video shared via his partner Eva Mendes’ and Project Hail Mary‘s respective Instagram accounts, referring to Hall as his “OG acting inspiration.”
“This is an enthusiastic yes to such a gracious invitation,” he shared. “I will be there in person to express my gratitude. It wasn’t Marlon Brando. It wasn’t De Niro. It was you.”
So, When Is This ‘Days of Our Lives’ Meeting Actually Happening?
The timing is still uncertain, as there’s currently no filming schedule set for Days of Our Lives. Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling is in the midst of promoting Project Hail Mary, which is currently in theaters.
Until schedules align, fans of both Gosling and Days of Our Lives will eagerly anticipate the meet-up.
This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and refined by journalists.
