30 Years Later Scott Speedman Reflects on Working with ‘Huge Talent’ Ryan Gosling in Iconic ‘Goosebumps’ Episode (Exclusive)

Sabienna BowmanSun, November 1, 2026 at 1:30 AM UTC

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Scott Speedman in 2026 (left); Ryan Gosling on ‘Goosebumps’Credit: John Nacion/FilmMagic; Scholastic Productions -

Scott Speedman and Ryan Gosling appeared in the 1996 Goosebumps episode “Say Cheese or Die”

Speedman recalls frequently seeing Gosling at auditions during their early careers in Canada

The episode also featured future Schitt’s Creek star Karen Robinson

In 1996, two future stars crossed paths on an iconic episode of Fox’s children’s series Goosebumps, based on the books by R.L. Stine.

“Say Cheese or Die,” the 15th episode of season 1, premiered on Feb. 9, 1996, and starred Ryan Gosling as Greg, a boy who finds a camera that predicts the future. The episode also starred a young Scott Speedman in a small role as a police officer who questions Greg when his friend goes missing.

In conversation with PEOPLE to discuss his ABC series R.J. Decker, Speedman, 51, reflects on the episode 30 years later, and shares his thoughts on working with Gosling when they were both young, rising stars in Canada.

Scott Speedman on ‘Goosebumps’Credit: Scholastic Productions

“I remember seeing him a bunch of times in the early years of when he was auditioning for things, I would run into him and stuff like that,” Speedman recalls. “I mean, I have always watched him on Canadian television as sort of the Jim Carrey comic relief on shows and stuff like that. And he was always extremely, extremely, extremely gifted, especially in the comedy space. He became this other leading man kind of guy and he’s amazing at that. But he was a very, very gifted comedian as you see when he does Saturday Night Live.”

The Grey’s Anatomy actor continues, “And he’d been doing it on the Mickey Mouse Club. You can watch clips of him on the Mickey Mouse Club, you’re just kind of like, wow, you could do that at 12 years old. I mean, that’s incredible.”

Speedman says he and Gosling’s paths would often cross during auditions in their early careers in Canada, and says he has seen the Oscar nominee since then as well, adding that the Project Hail Mary star is a “huge talent.”

As for his Goosebumps role, Speedman primarily recalls his character’s ultra-dark aviators, which made his police officer character feel slightly menacing. “I remember the glasses I wore that day. I remember it was like the director called me, who was friends with Ryan, and was like, ‘Hey, I need you to come down and do this one scene in this show.’ So I got down there and did it. That was basically how that happened and history is what it is.”

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The R.J. Decker star added of Gosling, “It’s really hard to maintain your head through the years. He’s done a very, very good job of that, for sure.”

Ryan Gosling on ‘Goosebumps’ in 1996; Ryan Gosling in 2026Credit: Scholastic Productions; Kate Green/Getty

Both Speedman and Gosling’s careers have flourished since their Goosebumps days. Speedman went on to land his breakout role on Felicity in 1998, and appeared in big screen hits including the Underworld series and The Strangers. He’s also become one of TV’s most reliable leading men with roles on Animal Kingdom, Teacup, Grey’s and Running Point. He’s currently balancing his recurring role as Meredith Grey’s significant other Nick on Grey’s with his leading role as ex-con turned P.I. R.J. Decker.

Meanwhile, Gosling broke out in 2000’s Remember the Titans, which launched his career as bona fide Hollywood star. Since then, he’s starred in a number of unforgettable films including The Notebook, Crazy Stupid Love, La La Land, The Nice Guys, Barbie and Project Hail Mary. In 2027, he’s joining the Star Wars franchise in Star Wars: Starfighter and he’s set to play Ghost Rider in the Marvel universe. Along the way, he’s collected three Oscar nominations and one Golden Globe, which he won for his role in La La Land.

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In addition to Speedman and Gosling, “Say Cheese or Die,” also featured future Schitt’s Creek actress Karen Robinson. The Fox Kids show also hosted a few other future famous faces over the years, including Hayden Christensen, A.J. Cook and Speedman’s future Grey’s Anatomy costar Caterina Scorsone.

All four seasons of Goosebumps are available to stream for free on Tubi. R.J. Decker seasons 1 and 2 are streaming now on Disney+.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”