Ryan Gosling Accepts Deidre Hall's Invite to Visit 'Days of Our Lives' Set

Project Hail Mary star cites soap opera icon as key acting inspiration early in his career.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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After revealing in a recent podcast interview that Deidre Hall's work on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives was a key early inspiration for his acting career, Ryan Gosling has enthusiastically accepted Hall's invitation to visit the show's set. Hall, who has played the iconic role of Dr. Marlena Evans for over 55 years, extended the invite to Gosling, saying the cast and crew were 'thrilled to be acknowledged' by the acclaimed film star.

Why it matters

Gosling's public praise of Hall's acting work on the beloved soap opera highlights the lasting impact and influence of daytime television, even on major Hollywood stars. The interaction also showcases the warm, collaborative spirit of the entertainment industry, with veteran performers like Hall graciously welcoming up-and-coming talent like Gosling onto their long-running productions.

The details

In a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gosling revealed that Hall's work on Days of Our Lives, rather than iconic film performances, was his original acting inspiration when he was first starting out. After hearing Gosling's comments, Hall extended an invitation via Instagram for the Project Hail Mary star to visit the Days set. Gosling responded with enthusiasm, saying he would be honored to thank Hall in person for being his 'OG acting inspiration'.

  • Gosling revealed Hall as an early inspiration in a recent podcast interview.
  • Hall extended the invitation to Gosling via Instagram shortly after his comments surfaced.

The players

Ryan Gosling

An acclaimed film actor known for roles in movies like La La Land, Blade Runner 2049, and the upcoming Project Hail Mary.

Deidre Hall

A veteran soap opera actress who has played the iconic role of Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives for over 55 years.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be acknowledged, and to be so well-spoken of.”

— Deidre Hall

“Deidre Hall, are you kidding me?! Yes! This is a very enthusiastic 'Yes' to a very cordial invitation to visit you on set. I will be there to thank you in person for being my OG acting inspiration.”

— Ryan Gosling

The takeaway

Gosling's public praise of Deidre Hall's long-running soap opera work as a key early inspiration underscores the lasting impact and influence of daytime television, even on major Hollywood stars. The warm exchange between the two actors also highlights the collaborative spirit of the entertainment industry, with veteran performers graciously welcoming up-and-coming talent onto their productions.