RYAN GOSLING
AGE 27

BROKE OUT IN... edgy 2001 Sundance fave The Believer, as a Orthodox Jew who becomes a neo-Nazi. Surprise romantic hit The Notebook, however, made him a household name.

WHY HIM Gosling doesn't mess around with roles that don't push him creatively. In the last few years, he's bounced from a being a lovesick country boy (The Notebook) and drug-riddled teacher (Half Nelson) to a delusional man with a thing for sex dolls (Lars and the Real Girl). He's good simply because he always keeps us guessing...

WHAT'S NEXT But for once, he doesn't have anything slated for release anytime soon. Right now, he's set to star in the romance Blue Valentine opposite Michelle Williams and All Good Things opposite Kirsten Dunst.