Ryan Gosling's haircut often starts with short sides and a longer top divided by a soft part. Small changes to the fringe and finish distinguish that off-screen cut from the brushed-back hair in Drive, Ken's platinum curtains in Barbie and the longer, layered fringe in The Fall Guy. His roles also include close crops and the contrasting short and overgrown hair in Project Hail Mary. His natural light to medium brown hair frequently appears lighter through the ends.
Gosling's shorter cuts leave enough length above the forehead to lift or sweep to one side. Among Hollywood's blonde actors, he often wears lighter strands across the front, making the direction of the part easier to see.
Ryan Gosling's Haircut at a Glance
| Look | Film or period | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Crew cut | Early 2000s | About an inch on top, short sides |
| Buzz cut | Mid-2000s | One even clipper length |
| Ivy League / side part | Red carpets, 2010s | Short sides, longer top with a soft part |
| Slicked-back undercut | Crazy, Stupid, Love, Drive (2011) | Short or disconnected sides, long top combed back |
| Side part | La La Land (2016) | Classic medium-length cut with a soft part |
| Short crop | Blade Runner 2049 (2017) | Short, even crop |
| Platinum curtains | Barbie (2023) | Bleached hair, center-parted curtain cut |
| Grown-out, sun-lightened | The Fall Guy (2024) | Medium length, light layers |
| Long hair | Project Hail Mary (2026) | Grown out past the ears |
Ryan Gosling's Haircuts
The main differences in Gosling's off-screen cuts sit at the hairline and temples. A little extra fringe changes how the top can be parted, while shorter sides expose more of the ears.
Crew Cut
Gosling's early crew cut leaves a short ridge of hair above the forehead, with less length toward the crown. It recalls the compact cuts worn by a young Marlon Brando. Ask the barber to graduate the top from front to back and keep the sides close, adjusting the length to how the hair stands when dry.
Ivy League Haircut
His Ivy League retains a longer fringe that sweeps across the forehead from a soft part. The top sits higher at the front, then follows the curve of the crown. Ask for enough length to part the hair with the fingers, with the sides shortened to keep the outline close around the ears.
Buzz Cut
The buzz cut removes the lifted fringe and follows the shape of Gosling's scalp. His mid-2000s version leaves the temples and hairline fully visible. Request a near-even clipper length, choosing the guard with the barber according to the amount of scalp coverage desired.
Comb Over
The comb over directs the top across a distinct part, with the front bending back above the temple. It draws on the groomed hair associated with 1950s menswear. Ask for a longer front and shorter sides, then use a comb to set the direction while the hair is damp.
Semi-Buzz
The semi-buzz retains enough length on top to lift into small pieces. The sides remain close, but the slightly longer front gives the hairline an uneven edge. Show the barber how much separation to leave above the forehead, since a single clipper length would produce a different finish.
Slicked Side Part
A glossy finish makes the part and comb marks more visible in this version. The top sweeps close to the scalp, recalling the 1920s and 1930s. Ask for a side part that follows the hair's growth direction, with enough length at the front to lie across and back.
Ryan Gosling's Hair in Movies
The Notebook (2004)
As Noah in The Notebook, Gosling wears a loose fringe that falls across the forehead and bends near the temples. Longer layers extend around the ears, softening the outline beside his beard. Request the same fringe and side lengths from a photograph, with layering adjusted to the hair's density.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Jacob's hair in Crazy, Stupid, Love sweeps away from the forehead and sits close at the sides. The slick back gives the front a distinct upward bend before it turns toward the crown. An undercut can exaggerate the difference between the top and sides, so agree on how closely the barber should follow the film reference.
Drive (2011)
In Drive, the unnamed Driver wears a longer front brushed across and back above short sides. The hair stays close at the temples, with a small lift above the forehead. Ask for the top to retain enough length to sweep back, then choose a pomade by the amount of shine needed to match the reference.
La La Land (2016)
Sebastian's side part in La La Land sits flatter than Gosling's lifted red carpet hair. The fringe follows a smooth curve across the forehead before turning back at the temple. A comb and a small amount of pomade help keep the part visible and the longer strands together.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Officer K's crop in Blade Runner 2049 has a short front that barely projects beyond the hairline. The top and sides sit close together in length, giving the cut a compact outline even with the character's high coat collar. Ask for a short crop with minimal height and a little uneven texture through the ends.
Barbie (2023)
Ken's platinum curtain haircut in Barbie separates above the forehead, with the front turning outward to either side. The pale color makes each section especially visible. Discuss the platinum shade with a colorist and use a photograph to establish the fringe length with the barber. Hair history affects how that shade can be achieved, as with other blonde hair and hair color for men.
The Fall Guy (2024) & Project Hail Mary (2026)
In The Fall Guy, stuntman Colt Seavers wears a long, layered fringe swept across the forehead. Lighter ends sit over darker roots, and the sides cover part of the ears. Ask for a front that reaches toward the brows and enough length at the temples to fall loosely into the rest of the cut.
Project Hail Mary shows a shorter cut as well as the overgrown hair and beard seen when Ryland Grace wakes aboard the spacecraft. In the shorter version, a textured fringe falls diagonally across the forehead above closely cut sides. Its lifted, separated ends differ from Colt Seavers' longer layers. Compare medium-length hairstyles for men when choosing how much fringe and side length to retain.
Ryan Gosling's Hair & Style
With a check suit on the red carpet in 2016, Gosling kept the sides close and swept the front away from his face. The small lift at the forehead gives the hair a different profile from the flatter part worn by his character in La La Land.
In this 2014 appearance, a looser part lets a few strands fall forward above the open collar. The top retains some height, but the sides lie close to the ears. Ryan Gosling's style also includes the tailoring and parted hair in his TAG Heuer campaign.
The Barbie Press Tour
For the Barbie press tour, honey blond streaks followed a more loosely separated fringe than Ken's platinum curtains. The hair rose at the front above bright, Ken-inspired outfits, including tailoring by Gucci.
How to Get Ryan Gosling's Haircut
For Gosling's signature side-parted cut, bring a front and side photograph and agree on three details with the barber.
- Keep the sides shorter than the top, with a taper around the ears and nape. Choose the clipper length according to the photograph and the amount of scalp coverage desired.
- Leave enough length above the forehead to sweep to one side. Discuss how much weight to remove through the top, since fine hair and dense hair need different treatment.
- Follow the natural part instead of cutting a shaved line into it.
Direct the fringe up and to one side as it dries, then work a small amount of cream or matte pomade through the ends. The amount of lift depends on density and growth direction. Compare other men's haircuts and choose hair products for men by the finish and hold needed.
