No, that wasn't Ryan Gosling in Netflix's Holidate

Ryan Gosling in Holidate? Not likely...
(Image credit: Netflix)

Among the torrent of new content made available on Netflix recently was Holidate, a movie starring Emma Roberts as a woman who, tired of being asked by family members about why she's single, creates a pact with a man named Jackson to be each others' holiday dates – Holidates, get it – every year.

Yes, that's one of the purest romcom setups in all of cinema history. But what's really got people talking is a background character. Netflix users were convinced that Ryan Gosling appears in the background of Holidate during a climactic scene that takes place in a supermarket.

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So, was that Ryan Gosling in the background of Holidate? The main characters talk about the A-list actor at length during the movie, with Jackson – played by Luke Bracey – telling Roberts' character Sloane: “I bet you money that if Ryan Gosling waltzed down this frozen food aisle and offered to take you on the ride of your life, you would still say no, 'cause you'd be too afraid to get on that train: the Ryan Gosling train.”

She responds: “You are so wrong. Ryan Gosling would never do his own shopping; he's way too cool for that.”

Gosling appearing in the frozen food aisle would therefore be a wonderful nod to that moment. Unfortunately, though, that's not the A-list actor behind Roberts. The Independent reports that the actor is actually Chad Zigmund, the stand-in for Luke Bracey, who portrays love interest Jackson in the movie.

“I am Chad ‘Frozen Food Ryan Gosling’ Zigmund,” the doppelganger posted on Instagram. Zigmund's other credits include the short films Orphaned Courage, Ghost in the Family and TV series The Calling of Lizzy McBride.

Hi, I am Chad “Frozen Food Aisle Ryan Gosling” Zigmund. #holidate Chad Zigmund

A photo posted by @woosawchum on Nov 2, 2020 at 3:03pm PST

There you have it: Ryan Gosling does not appear in Holidate. Another mystery solved by the internet. Looking for something else to watch on Netflix? Then check out our list of the best Netflix movies available right now.

Jack Shepherd
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.