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Ryan Gosling has revealed he had an uncle who was an Elvis impersonator who inspired him to become an actor.
The Gangster Squad star said he got caught up in the excitement of helping his uncle prepare his show, and that influenced his career choice.
Ryan explained: "I was six so I didn't really know what I wanted but I'm sure that that had to have something to do with. He taught me how to build a character."
The critically acclaimed star of Drive and The Ides Of March said he makes his characters part of his life because of watching his uncle.
He explained: "My uncle was an Elvis impersonator and he came to live with us when I was six. He had this jumpsuit and he was bedazzling it and putting jewels on it and there was a big eagle on the back. Then he was in the mirror, creating this character and singing in the mirror.
"Then all this energy came in the house because he was putting on this show. And suddenly I'm in the act - I'm head of security and I have this jacket, and I'm walking out and I can hear all these screaming people and suddenly my uncle, who has a moustache, a birthmark and no hair and looks nothing like Elvis, he became Elvis.
"He gets on stage and he's amazing. I've seen a lot Elvis impersonators since and I swear he's the best.
"And to me it's best when your life becomes what you're working on, because it's the best way to get to know people.
"So for me it's hard to separate them, I don't ever feel I become the character the way method actors talk about, but it does become a part of your life."
:: Gangster Squad is released in cinemas on January 10.
