Despite his own stardom, Austin Butler reveals he remains starstruck by Ryan Gosling and recalls a recent encounter where he was too shy to say hello to the 'Barbie' actor.
- Jun 24, 2024
AceShowbiz - Austin Butler has been making waves in Hollywood, with a career trajectory that has transformed him from a Disney Channel alum to a Golden Globe-winning actor. Yet, despite his rising fame, Butler still finds himself starstruck. In a recent interview on the "Today" show, he revealed his profound admiration for fellow actor Ryan Gosling, which once led him to avoid an encounter altogether.
"I was just telling that story about getting starstruck by Ryan Gosling recently," Butler told anchor Savannah Guthrie. "It's when you don't expect to see somebody…so I saw him outside of a hotel that I was staying in, and I had to go into another door. I couldn't even say hello. Because I grew up admiring him so much."
Despite Guthrie pointing out that Butler himself is a celebrity, the actor humbly responded, "I know. But that doesn't feel real." After his initial hesitation to approach Gosling, Butler later acknowledged that it was a mistake. "I wish I had just said 'hello,' " he confessed.
Butler's admiration for Gosling stretches back to his youth. Both actors share a similar path, having started their careers young and transitioning from Disney stars to acclaimed actors. Butler admitted that Gosling's films, such as "Blue Valentine" and "Lars and the Real Girl," had a significant impact on his appreciation of acting and cinema during a formative time in his life.
The "Elvis" star also recounted other starstruck moments, such as meeting the legendary Meryl Streep with the help of director Judd Apatow. During an interview with BBC Radio One's "The Story So Far," Butler shared, "I was very nervous, but somebody, Judd Apatow of all people, facilitated me being able to go up and say 'hello' to her. And we talked for a while and she was so sweet."
Butler's awe isn't reserved for just Gosling and Streep. In another interview with Jimmy Kimmel, he described attending a party hosted by Paul McCartney, where icons like Tom Hanks, Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen, and Taylor Swift were present. "Those are those moments that you just, you can hardly fathom the amount of talent that's surrounding you," Butler recounted.
Beyond his encounters with famous personalities, Butler himself is set for a busy cinematic future. Fans can look forward to his role in "Dune: Part Two" and the yet-to-be-revealed "Eddington" with Emma Stone and Pedro Pascal. He is also slated to star in the crime thriller "Caught Stealing" directed by Darren Aronofsky and will headline the action-adventure "City on Fire."
Even as Butler's star continues to rise, his genuine admiration for his peers serves as a reminder that even the biggest celebrities have their own moments of being in awe.
