Ryan Gosling, a name synonymous with the quintessential modern-day heartthrob, has captivated audiences with his performances in films like La La Land, Drive, and The Notebook. His irresistible charm, chiseled looks, and understated vulnerability have made him a fixture in Hollywood’s roster of leading men. Yet, beyond the roles that catapulted him to stardom, there exists a personal connection to an icon of the silver screen—a connection that sheds light on how Hollywood stars influence one another across generations. For many fans, Gosling’s appeal may seem rooted in contemporary pop culture, but there is an unexpected and nostalgic twist to his story. As a young boy, Ryan Gosling had an undeniable crush on one of the most iconic screen legends of the 1960s: Raquel Welch.

This unexpected connection between a modern heartthrob and a 1960s screen goddess speaks to the enduring influence of Hollywood icons. For those familiar with Gosling as the brooding romantic lead, it may be surprising to learn that his admiration for Welch—an actress who defined beauty, strength, and sex appeal in a different era—served as a pivotal early influence on his own path to stardom. In exploring this connection, we delve into Gosling’s youthful infatuation with Welch, her lasting legacy, and how this interplay between generations of Hollywood stars speaks to the broader cultural impact of icons in film.

Ryan Gosling’s Early Crush on Raquel Welch

The world first took notice of Ryan Gosling’s acting talent in the early 2000s, but his affinity for film legends began much earlier, shaped by a deep admiration for the screen stars of the 1960s and 1970s. Despite being a child of the 1980s and 1990s, Gosling’s childhood crush was none other than Raquel Welch, a woman whose powerful presence on the screen, particularly in films like One Million Years B.C. (1966), left an indelible mark on the film industry.

As Gosling has openly admitted in various interviews, his fascination with Welch stemmed from her magnetic on-screen presence and her timeless beauty. Despite being born decades after Welch’s rise to fame, Gosling’s affection for the actress was rooted in her powerful blend of allure and strength. Welch’s fame in the 1960s—when she became a household name after her appearance in One Million Years B.C., clad in a fur bikini and captivating audiences with her fierce yet sensual performance—was an inspiration to Gosling, who admired how she combined beauty and intelligence in ways few others at the time could.

At the time, Gosling was just a young boy with an enthusiasm for the classic films of a bygone era, and the fact that he idolized an actress whose career peaked long before his birth speaks to the transcendent nature of Welch’s fame. For Gosling, Welch represented something more than just physical beauty; she was a symbol of empowerment and independence. Even at a young age, he appreciated the way she presented herself—not only as a sex symbol but as a powerful force in Hollywood.

Raquel Welch’s Stardom: From Sex Symbol to Cultural Icon

Raquel Welch’s rise to stardom came at a time when Hollywood was undergoing significant transformation. The 1960s were a decade of cultural upheaval, with shifts in social norms and a growing push for women’s rights. Welch’s breakthrough role in One Million Years B.C. transformed her into a cultural phenomenon, largely due to the iconic image of her in a prehistoric bikini. However, her impact went far beyond her striking appearance.

What made Welch stand out was not just her beauty, but her ability to infuse her roles with a sense of strength and independence that was rare for women of her time. While many actresses of the 1960s were relegated to roles defined by their beauty or passive femininity, Welch’s characters were often marked by their resilience, intelligence, and power. In films such as Fantastic Voyage (1966), The Three Musketeers (1973), and Bandolero! (1968), she established herself not only as a stunning sex symbol but as a capable and assertive woman who held her own in a male-dominated industry.

Welch’s career was groundbreaking, offering audiences a new type of femininity—one that was strong, self-assured, and unapologetically confident. Her roles often defied the conventional tropes of the time, offering up female characters who were more than just romantic interests or eye candy. Welch’s ability to combine beauty with brains helped redefine Hollywood’s representation of women, making her an important figure in both the entertainment industry and the broader cultural landscape.

Her legacy is not confined to her early roles in film. Welch went on to become a trailblazer for women in Hollywood, influencing future generations of actresses to assert themselves both on-screen and off. She pushed back against the industry’s objectification of women, becoming a symbol of female empowerment in an era where such a stance was considered radical. Her lasting influence is evident in how the media continues to celebrate her as a feminist icon, and how her work remains an important point of reference for actresses today.

The Cultural Impact and Legacy of Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch’s influence extended far beyond her on-screen roles. She became a symbol of beauty, strength, and independence in an era when such qualities were often not as widely celebrated in women. Her looks became iconic—her image graced the covers of magazines and became a fixture in pop culture. The “Raquel Welch look,” characterized by her flawless beauty and signature hair, has been emulated and referenced countless times in fashion, advertising, and entertainment.

Beyond her physical allure, Welch was a trailblazer in how women were depicted in film. At a time when many female stars were relegated to supporting roles or limited to playing the traditional damsel in distress, Welch’s characters often defied expectations. She portrayed strong-willed women who were as intelligent and capable as their male counterparts, paving the way for future generations of female actors to pursue more complex and empowering roles.

Her influence also extended into the realm of fashion. Welch’s striking appearance, from her swimsuits to her gowns, became synonymous with Hollywood glamour. She was a fashion icon of the ’60s and ’70s, with her style—often effortlessly chic, yet always bold—still being referenced in the fashion world today. Her legacy as a beauty icon was so powerful that even decades later, her name is still synonymous with grace and sophistication.

Raquel Welch’s impact also transcends film, as she became an advocate for women’s empowerment. She used her platform to challenge the way women were perceived in Hollywood, advocating for roles that allowed actresses to be more than just beautiful objects of desire. Her courage to break free from the stereotypical roles of the time has paved the way for a new generation of women who aspire to more than just being the love interest in a film.

Ryan Gosling’s Admiration of Raquel Welch

For Ryan Gosling, Raquel Welch’s legacy was a profound influence. As a child growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, Gosling was raised in a different cultural climate than the one that gave rise to Welch’s star power. However, the impact of Welch’s work still resonated with him. Gosling, in interviews, has shared his admiration for Welch’s combination of beauty, strength, and charisma—a blend that he would later seek to embody in his own roles.

Gosling’s own career has often combined similar themes—roles that showcase both strength and vulnerability. From playing a tortured artist in Blue Valentine to a quiet but intense action hero in Drive, Gosling’s characters often reflect the complexities of human nature in a way that echoes Welch’s ability to balance power with femininity. Perhaps it was this very juxtaposition that made Gosling so drawn to Welch’s work—her ability to be both fierce and tender, qualities that he himself has sought to incorporate into his own persona as a leading man.

Moreover, Gosling’s admiration for Welch points to the deeper, intergenerational connections between Hollywood stars. While Gosling may not have had the opportunity to watch Welch on screen in real-time, the cultural imprint of her work—her influence on fashion, beauty, and film—certainly left a lasting mark on him.

The Intersection of Generations

The connection between Ryan Gosling and Raquel Welch represents a fascinating intersection of two generations in Hollywood. Welch’s reign as one of the most iconic actresses of the 1960s and 1970s laid the foundation for future stars like Gosling to rise to prominence. While their careers belong to different eras, the underlying themes that make both actors so magnetic—strength, vulnerability, and an undeniable screen presence—remain the same.

This intersection between stars from different generations also speaks to the timeless nature of Hollywood’s enduring icons. Legends like Raquel Welch continue to inspire, influencing not just their contemporaries but future generations of actors. Gosling’s admiration for Welch underscores the power of nostalgia and the deep connection that exists between stars and the audiences they inspire.

Conclusion

Raquel Welch’s influence on Hollywood and popular culture cannot be overstated. As an actress, she broke barriers for women in film, while her timeless beauty and strength continue to inspire generations of stars like Ryan Gosling. Despite the age gap, Gosling’s early crush on Welch is a testament to her lasting impact, one that transcends time and generations. As Hollywood moves forward, icons like Raquel Welch will always have a place in the history of cinema, reminding us of the power of film to shape the culture of each era.