La La Land has iconic actress Debbie Reynolds to thank for at least some of its huge success — Ryan Gosling, who stars in the new musical film, says the late actress, who died suddenly of a stroke in December 2016, inspired the movie's song and dance numbers.

Gosling, who accepted the Vanguard Award at last night's (January 2) Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, said Reynolds' role in 1952's Singin' in the Rain was a framework of sorts for his and Emma Stone's La La Land numbers.

Singin', which also starred Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor, is No. 1 on AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals list and is preserved in the National Film Registry.

“I wish I could’ve said this in person, but I’d like to thank Debbie Reynolds for her wonderful career of work,” Gosling said. “She was an inspiration to us every day. We watched ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ every day for inspiration, and she was truly an unparalleled talent. So I thank her for all of that inspiration."

Reynolds died on December 28 at 84, just a day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, died from complications that stemmed from an earlier heart attack. Hollywood has remembered both actresses fondly since — Debra Messing, who played Reynolds' daughter on Will and Grace, has been sharing some of Reynolds most memorably musical moments on Instagram.

See Photos of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds Through the Years:

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