Almost 3,900 kilometres separate Cornwall, Ont. from the bright lights of Hollywood, but the city has been put on the entertainment radar thanks to the work of a hometown star.
Ryan Gosling grew up in the eastern Ontario community and has recently been talking up his hometown on late night talk shows while promoting his latest movie Crazy, Stupid, Love.
"(He's a) really great actor, it's great to see he's doing so well," said one fan.
When Gosling appeared on both the Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live! he mentioned his small-town roots, thrilling local residents.
"I'd probably give him a good handshake and tell him how proud I am," laughed another." "I'm married so I probably wouldn't jump him like these girls."
Cornwall's economic development staff says the publicity is priceless.
"I think everyone's just tickled pink that Ryan's doing so well," said Cornwall city councillor Dennis Carr. "I think it's great the positive things he says about his hometown."
"To have Cornwall mentioned in a direct answer to a question . . . is fantastic because it puts the city's name out and associates us with a real talent," said Bob Peters, senior development officer with Cornwall Economic Development.
Gosling's breakthrough role was in 2004's The Notebook alongside fellow Canadian Rachel McAdams.
He won a Golden Globe for his role in 2010's Blue Valentine and recently had Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the audience for an Ottawa screening of Crazy, Stupid, Love.
He next appears in Drive, an action drama about a Hollywood stuntman who runs into trouble after a heist gone wrong.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo
