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Ryan Gosling bemused by sex symbol label

Jan 8, 2013, 17:01 GMT

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling doesn't think he is good looking.

The 'Gangster Squad' actor is bemused by his sex symbol status and doesn't consider himself a traditional leading man.

Ryan accepts the need for Hollywood to build up and 'mythologise' its stars but he doesn't necessarily agree with it.

Speaking to the new UK issue of OK! magazine, he said: 'I don't think of myself as particularly good looking and not at all a typical leading man actor. I have a greater affinity for characters who aren't mainstream leading man kinds of roles, although I enjoy playing basically any character as long as the film has something interesting to say about life.

'I hate feeling that I'm just doing a job for a pay cheque. The whole notion of being a movie star is part of the myth-making process that goes on in the film business. You create this great illusion on screen and then the illusion is taken to a different level when actors become mythologised.'

Ryan has taken on a variety of roles in his career and won much praise for his performances in 'Blue Valentine' and 'Drive'.

The 32-year-old star - who is dating Eva Mendes - has starred in romantic movies 'Crazy Stupid Love' and 'The Notebook' but he isn't keen to carve out a career in the genre.

He said: 'I've been fortunate to appear in a few romantic films, which impart a kind of leading man aura onto you. I don't think that's my destiny as an actor and I'm not pursing those kinds of roles.'