The Notebook is widely regarded as one of the best and most romantic dramas.

In 2004, director Nick Cassavettes brought Nicholas Sparks’ infamous novel to the big screen, creating a pop culture phenomenon that has remained iconic over the years.

Despite all of this tearing them apart, the romance of Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) has been going on throughout their lives and still resonates with fans today.

READ MORE: Nicole Kidman’s Sexiest Moments: Wardrobe Malfunction, Skimpy Swimsuit, and Thigh-High Split

The star-studded cast included three rising Hollywood stars, as well as two acting legends who already had decades of experience behind them.

To celebrate the beloved classic romance turning 18 today, she took a look at where the cast is today.

Ryan Gosling



Ryan Gosling played Noah Calhoun in The Notebook

Following his portrayal of Noah in The Notebook, 41-year-old Ryan Gosling was catapulted into global stardom and became one of the industry’s most successful actors.

The actor has been credited for his work on countless blockbusters, but has also earned great respect from the independent film community, delivering memorable performances in 2011’s Drive and The Ides of March.



The actor has earned great respect from the independent film community, with memorable performances in the 2011 films Drive and The Ides of March.

He achieved outstanding commercial success after starring opposite Oscar-winning Emma Stone in the romantic classic Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), which also kicked off one of Hollywood’s favorite on-screen collaborations.

The pair teamed up again in 2016 for the critically acclaimed musical La La Land, for which the two Gangster Squad stars received rave reviews.

The Canadian actor has proven he can do it all, stepping out of the shadow of The Notebook and securing places in action films like The Nice Guys (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).



Gosling met Hollywood beauty Eva Mendes in 2011 on the set of The Place Beyond The Pines.

He will now play Ken in Greta Gerwigs Barbie, with Margot Robbie in the title role.

Gosling met Hollywood beauty Eva Mendes in 2011 on the set of The Place Beyond The Pines and the two started a relationship.

The couple welcomed their first daughter together in 2014, a daughter named Esmeralda, and their second daughter, Amada, in 2016.

brawl between co-stars



While filming The Notebook, it became public knowledge that Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams couldn't stand each other.

While filming The Notebook, it was made public that Gosling and co-star Rachel McAdams couldn’t stand each other.

In an interview with VH1, director Nick Cassavetes revealed that the two actors allegedly argued on the set, admitting that Gosling once asked if they could bring another girl to read the role of Allie.

However, once filming was over, the couple embarked on a two-year romance, with Gosling citing McAdams as one of his “great loves”.

Rachel Mcadams



Rachel McAdams garnered worldwide recognition for her portrayal of Allie Hamilton

2004 was a pivotal year in the career of 43-year-old Rachel McAdams, who garnered worldwide recognition for her portrayal of Allie, but also for the infamous Regina George in Mean Girls.

The actress quickly became Hollywood’s “It Girl” for romantic movies, starring in The Time Traveler’s Wife in 2009, The Vow in 2012 alongside Channing Tatum and About Time in 2013.

The Canadian star also ventured into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in 2016’s first Doctor Strange film.



The Canadian star also ventured into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in 2016's Doctor Strange.

She has appeared in films such as Wedding Crashers, Midnight in Paris, Sherlock Holmes and was nominated for an Oscar for the role of journalist Sacha Pfeiffer in the biographical drama Spotlight (2015).

After her relationship with Gosling officially ended in 2008, McAdams dated her Midnight in Paris co-star Michael Sheen from 2010 to 2013.

She finally found love with screenwriter Jamie Linden in 2016, and the couple shares two children.

Giacomo Garner



James Garner played an elderly Noah in The Notebook

James Garner played an elderly Noah in The Notebook, but the actor already had a film career spanning over five decades before starring in the blockbuster.

In 1985, Garner found himself nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Murphy’s Romance.

She played lead roles in more than 50 stage films, including The Great Escape (1963), The Americanization of Emily (1964) opposite Julie Andrews and the 1966 Grand Prix film.



The actor sadly passed away in 2014 at the age of 86 after suffering a fatal heart attack.

After suffering a severe stroke in 2008, the actor’s career slowed, with his final role in 2013’s The Ultimate Life.

Sadly, the actor died in 2014 at the age of 86 after suffering a fatal heart attack.

Their real-life romance was right there with Noah and Allie after they got married to Lois Clarke two weeks after meeting her in 1956.

The couple shares two children, Greta “Gigi” Garner and Kimberly Garner, daughter of Lois from a previous relationship, and they remained together until her death.

Genna Rowland



Gena Rowlands played an elderly Allie who suffered from dementia.

Four-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Gena Rowlands starred opposite James Garner as an elderly Allie with dementia.

Like her on-screen love interest, Rowlands’ career spanned decades, starting in the late 1950s.

She is known for her collaborations with her late husband, actor-director John Cassavetes, on ten films, including the 1974 drama A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria (1980), which earned her a nomination for a Oscar for best actress.



The actress kept busy after starring in The Notebook, appearing in films such as The Skeleton Key and Broken English.

The 91-year-old has kept busy after starring in The Notebook, appearing in films such as The Skeleton Key (2005), Broken English (2007) and Yellow in 2012.

Her most recent screen appearances were in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks in 2014 and in the short film Unfortunate Circumstances in 2017.

She was married to her first husband, John Cassavetes, from 1954 until his death in 1989, and the couple have three children.

His son Nick directed The Notebook, which means mother and son worked on the film together in one fell swoop.

In 2012, 23 years after Cassavetes’ death, Rowlands married businessman Robert Forrest.

James Marsden



After playing Lon Hammond Jr. in The Notebook, James Marsden enjoyed a brilliant acting career.

After playing Lon Hammond Jr. in The Notebook, James Marsden, 48, enjoyed a distinguished acting career.

She had incredible success in romantic roles such as the 2007 film Enchanted, as well as starring roles in 27 dresses (2007) opposite Katherine Heigl and another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, The Best of Me (2014).

The actor immersed himself in a variety of different characters, from Scott Summers in the X-Men series, Corny Collins in the musical Hairspray (2006), to Jack Lime in Anchorman 2 (2013).



The actor played several characters, from Scott Summers in the X-Men series to Corny Collins in the musical Hairspray.

For more information on the latest entertainment news from, be sure to subscribe to one of our newsletters here.

Marsden married Lisa Linde, daughter of country music singer Dennis Linde, in 2000 and the couple had two children during their marriage.

The couple were married for 11 years before divorcing in 2011, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their separation.

The actor has a son born in 2012 that he shares with ex-girlfriend Rose Costa and has been dating British musician Edei since 2015.

READ NEXT:

  • Scooby-Doo Movie Cast Members Now: Tense Feud, Co-Star Romance and Hollywood Dropout
  • Famous children doing the same job as their famous parents – from stardom to musical stardom
  • Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen now: high net worth, older men, divorce and famous sister