A Blast From The Past: Ryan Gosling Looks Eerily Like 'Gone With The Wind' Actor Clark Gable

Dec 06, 2020 by apost team

People are often said to have doppelgangers, both in looks and in character. This is often seen in Hollywood stars when they are reminiscent of or compared to idols who came before them. Veteran actor Clark Gable was a legend of his time, and contemporary actor Ryan Gosling seems to be following in his footsteps in terms of charisma and career.

William Clark Gable was born on February 1, 1901, in Cadiz, Ohio. His father was a laborer, and his mother died when he was very young. As a boy, Gable became inspired to become an actor after he saw a play when he was 16 years old. After many false starts, Gable met and married theater director Joan Dillon, and they moved to Hollywood, California. He secured his first leading role in the film Dance, Fools, Dance, with Joan Crawford in 1931, in which Gable's performance was a huge hit. That success led opened the door to many more acting gigs, as the studio began casting him in other films alongside big names such as Greta Garbo and Norma Shearer.

He became one of Hollywood's biggest names in 1939 when he appeared in the 4-hour epic Gone with the Wind. His role as Rhett Butler earned him the title: 'King of Hollywood.' He had a league of adoring fans from around the globe, much like his counterpart Gosling does now!

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Gable's acting was also rewarded when he won an Academy Award for It Happened One Night, in 1934. In an interview with Closer Weekly, actor Mickey Kuhn spoke about Gable's patience and kindness towards him as a child actor when they were on set together. He said:

"My line was, 'Hello, Uncle Rhett,' but three times I kept saying, 'Hello, Uncle Clark,'" he recalled. But instead of Clark kicking him off set, he pulled Mickey aside and gave him some encouraging words. "He said, 'You're right, my name is Clark, but here my name is Rhett.' He didn't belittle me because I was a kid. We did the scene again and, of course, it was OK."

Ryan Thomas Gosling was born on November 12, 1980, in Ontario, Canada. Like his predecessor, Gable, he came from humble beginnings, with both his parents working administrative jobs. However, unlike his Gable, his life of fame started when he was much younger. In an interview with The Independent, Gosling stated:

"I never was that boy who loved gangster films, but when I was growing up I was obsessed with the detective Dick Tracy. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid and he really inspired me. I would have loved to be part of that golden age of Hollywood in the 1940s. It made me want to become an actor."

He went to an open audition for the TV series The Mickey Mouse Club and secured a place on the show. Without any formal acting training, he embarked on an acting career. After appearing in the cult classic, The Notebook in 2004, he became a household name—and a worldwide heartthrob.

His acclaimed performance in Half Nelson in 2006 saw him receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Like Gable, it didn't take long for Gosling to establish himself as one of the true talents of his generation. Other box office hits include Blue Valentine, Crazy, Stupid, Love, La La Land, and Blade Runner 2049. In an interview with GQ, Gosling discussed his approach to filming a second movie, First Man, with director Damien Chazelle, with whom he worked in La La Land. He said: 

"I think you spend a lot of time being polite in the first film, and respectful of what you imagine the other person's process is—and so it's a relief to do a second film…because you're less precious…and you really feel like you can be more honest, and you're able to really work."

Both actors liked to keep their personal lives private. Gosling is married to actress Eva Mendes with whom he has two children, daughters Esmeralda, six, and Amada, four. Mendes and Gosling began dating in 2011 when they were working together on the movie The Place Beyond the Pines, and have since stayed hush about their relationship. In 2017 Gosling dedicated his Golden Globe win for 'Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy' for La La Land to his wife:

"While I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences I've ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second, and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer. So sweetheart, thank you," he said onstage.

Gable was married five times and had one child, John Clark Gable, with his last wife, Kay Williams Spreckels. John Gable was born after his father died, so he never got to meet him. According to Biography.com, Gable also had a "secret" daughter, Judy Lewis, born on November 6, 1935, following an affair with actress Loretta Young.

Both Gosling and Gable are legends of the screen and were able to follow their dream of being actors. Make sure you pass this with anyone you know who may want to be an actor one day!