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Ryan Gosling has been stealing hearts and ruling the screen for years. He’s the guy who can effortlessly switch from being the dreamy charmer to being an intense anti-hero. But between 2018 and 2022, Gosling decided to take a step back from Hollywood. He wanted to focus on his family and personal life during that time.

Lo and behold, he made a comeback with a series of incredible roles, starting with Netflix’s adrenaline-pumping spy flickThe Gray Manin 2022, where he nailed the role of a rogue operative. Gosling didn’t stop there. He went on to deliver back-to-back hits, includingBarbieandThe Fall Guy, in 2024.
His portrayal of Ken inBarbiewas iconic, earning him critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination, but surprisingly, the paycheck for that role wasn’t his biggest. Gosling earned far more for Netflix’s action-packed filmThe Gray Man. Here’s a closer look at the numbers.

Ryan Gosling’s salary for the movieThe Gray Man
In 2022, Netflix gave the worldThe Gray Man, a high-octane thriller that broughtRyan Goslingand Chris Evans together in an intense cat-and-mouse game. Directed by the Russo Brothers and boasting a jaw-dropping $200 million budget (viaScreen Rant), the film was one of Netflix’s most ambitious and successful projects.
Gosling played Court Gentry, an ex-CIA operative turned assassin. The plot follows Gentry as he fights to protect his daughters, who have no idea he even exists. With fast-paced action sequences, thrilling hand-to-hand combat including scenes opposite Evans who portrayed the role of a sadistic villain, and plenty of cinematic flair, Gosling’s performance was gripping.

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For his role, Gosling pocketed a whopping $20 million (viaVariety), making it his highest paycheck to date. This figure reportedly included his backend buyout for the film’s streaming success which is a common practice in high-budget Netflix productions. Considering the scale of the movie and Gosling’s star power, the payout was well-deserved.The sequel of the movie is in the works as well, so fans will see Gosling reprising his role once again.
Ryan Gosling’s salary for playing Ken in the movieBarbie
The Gray Manwas an intense action thriller that showcased Gosling’s physical prowess and brooding charisma. On the other hand,Barbieallowed him to flex his comedic timing and emotional range. These two totally different roles further proved his versatility as an actor.
In contrast toThe Gray Man, Gosling’s role inBarbiesaw him earn $12.5 million upfront (viaComic Book Resources). This matched Margot Robbie’s paycheck for her leading role as the titular character of the movie.

Gosling’s take on Ken was both hilarious and heartfelt. He added something unique to the character that went on to become a fan favorite. Despite not being the lead, his performance was so impactful that it even earned him an Oscar nomination.
While his base salary forBarbiewas smaller compared toThe Gray Man, Margot Robbie’s compensation eventually skyrocketed thanks to bonuses. Robbie reportedly earned over $50 million in additional bonuses due to the film’s incredible box office success, which grossed $1.446 billion worldwide (viaBox Office Mojo).

There’s no confirmation on whether Gosling received similar bonuses. But even without them, his paycheck was a solid addition to his portfolio.
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Interestingly,Barbiebecame Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing film ever, proving to be a huge win for everyone involved. Gosling’s salary for the movie aligns well with his previous roles. For example, he earned $10 million forBlade Runner 2049(viaCosmopolitan), $8 million forLa La Land(viaScreen Rant), and $6.5 million forFirst Man. So, while hisBarbiepaycheck wasn’t record-breaking, it fit his stature as an established Hollywood A-lister.
While Gosling’s paycheck forBarbiedidn’t matchThe Gray Man, both roles made his standing as a bankable star. Moving forward, it’s likely that his future projects will see him earning figures similar to hisBarbiesalary, especially if the films are tied to big franchises or high-profile directors.
Sohini Mukherjee
Content Writer
Articles Published :331
Sohini Mukherjee is an Evergreen writer at FandomWire, specializing in pop culture, all things sitcoms, and, of course, Harry Potter. She has a soft spot for shows like Modern Family and pretty much any movie that knows how to tell a good story. You’ll find her name on listicles and long form articles that feel more like fun conversations than stiff articles. Having published over 300 articles, Sohini always brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the stories she covers.