EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Gosling Talks About Performing in His Uncle's Elvis Act as a Kid: He Was 'an Inspiration'
Ryan Gosling is the hottest leading man in Hollywood and now, with his role in the new musical dramedy La La Land, the acclaimed star has returned to his song and dance roots.
Gosling has come a long way since he started off as a teenage star, but it turns out his favorite memory of his early days in musical theater came before he ever got his big break.
"My uncle was an Elvis impersonator and I was in his act when I was 8," the 36-year-old heartthrob told ET's Carly Steel at the premiere of La La Land in Los Angeles on Tuesday. "He was wonderful and an inspiration to me, so that was fun."
WATCH: Ryan Gosling Singing and Dancing as a 12-Year-Old Will Make Your Day
Despite his background in performing, Gosling said that mastering the classic ballroom-style numbers in his latest film was a far cry from the dance styles he learned for his time as a cast member on the All-New Mickey Mouse Club in the early 1990s.
"'90s hip hop is a little different from soft shoe and all the other stuff that they asked us to do here," Gosling joked. "I thought maybe some of that might help, but it really didn't. It was like starting all over again."
As for his on-screen love interest, Emma Stone, she said acting on stage at a young age helped shape her appreciation for her upcoming musical spectacular.
"I think playing Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh was helpful for this," Stone joked of her time as an teenage actress growing up in Phoenix, Arizona. "I did a bunch of youth theater [growing up] and it was really a wonderful experience."
WATCH: Listen to Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s Gorgeous 'La La Land' Duet
In La La Land, Gosling plays Sebastian, a dedicated, struggling jazz pianist who meets Mia (Stone), an aspiring actress who is becoming disenchanted with the audition grind. The two fall in love as Sebastian and Mia encourage and support each other's career dreams.
In real life, Gosling says there's another special woman he credits with supporting him throughout his careers ups and downs: "My mom."
Stone shares similar sentiments. "My mom. Always my mom," Stone said, when asked who she credited for encouraging her throughout her career. "She's the best."
WATCH: Emma Stone Recalls ‘Sweating All Over’ Ryan Gosling While Training for 'La La Land'
Recently, ET sat down with Stone, who had nothing but praise for her La La Land co-star's dance skills. Asked to describe Gosling's fancy footwork in three words, Stone said, "Really super great." Check out the video below to hear more from the actress about reuniting with her Crazy, Stupid, Love co-star.
La La Land hits theaters Dec. 9.