- Eva Mendes has not appeared in a movie since 2014's Lost River, directed by husband Ryan Gosling.
- Mendes explained her long break in an Instagram post: "As a mother now, there are many roles I won't do."
- Mendes and Gosling have two young daughters, Esmeralda, 5, and Amada, 3.
When Eva Mendes is on screen, she's all a person can look at. After a breakthrough in Training Day (2002), Mendes charmed audiences in Hitch, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Once Upon a Time in Mexico,and more.
So Mendes's absence has been noticeable. The 45-year-old actress hasn't appeared in a movie since 2014's Lost River, directed by her husband, Ryan Gosling.
Responding to a fan's comment on her Instagram post, Mendes explained her long hiatus. Simply put, she's chosen to prioritize raising her young daughters over her acting career.
"As a mother now, there are many roles I won't do. There are many subject matters that I don't want to be involved with, so it limits my choices and I'm fine with that. I have to set an example for my girls now," Mendes wrote.
Mendes and Gosling's daughters, Esmeralda, 5, and Amada Lee, 3, were born in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Ever since, Mendes has been completely devoted to them—and seems happy with her decision. "I'm just so obsessed with my kids that I don't want to leave them," Mendes told E! News. "They're just still so little."
Though she doesn't raise the girls alone. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Mendes credits her parents, as well as Goslings' parents, who fly in from Canada, for their help. "We have a lot of family support, and it's very welcomed," Mendes said.
Parenthood has been a bonding experience for her and Gosling, who met in 2011 on set of a movie—fittingly, they were playing parents. "You end your day. You put them to bed. Ryan and I look at each other and say, 'We did it,'" Mendes continued on Access Hollywood.
For now, she's keeping busy with motherhood and her clothing line for New York & Company—or, as she put it on Instagram, her "side hustle."
Still, Mendes hasn't ruled out Hollywood completely. In the Instagram comment, Mendes explained she would return to acting "when there's something worthwhile to be a part of."
Potentially, that could mean another collaboration with Gosling. The couple first met on set on The Place Beyond the Pines (2011), and worked together on Gosling's directorial debut. "I would love to either act opposite him again or be directed by him at some point. I just love working with him," Mendes told OprahMag.com in a prior interview. During an appearance on Access Hollywood, Mendes called her husband a "creative genius."
More than anyone, Gosling might understand why Mendes would want a break—because back in 2013, he took one himself. At the age of 32, Gosling had a bit of an existential crisis—or so it seems, from the statement the star gave the Associated Press. "I've lost perspective on what I'm doing. I think it's good for me to take a break and reassess why I'm doing it and how I'm doing it. And I think this is probably a good way to learn about that," Gosling said.
After his break, Gosling seamlessly transitioned back, starring in a string of critically acclaimed flicks like First Man (2018), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and La La Land (2016). The same could happen for Mendes.
As for Amada and Esmeralda's thoughts on the matter? In an interview with OprahMag.com, Mendes revealed that her daughters have no idea their parents are Hollywood stars. "We are definitely just mom and dad to them, and we’re trying to keep it that way as long as possible," Mendes said.
To Mendes, being a parent is "fun, beautiful, and maddening." Clearly, it's the only full-time job she wants right now—but whenever she's ready to return to acting, we're waiting.
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![ina garten and jeffrey](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/jeffrey-garten-and-ina-garten-attend-the-barefoot-under-the-news-photo-1713807458.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.668xh;0,0&resize=360:* "2011 "Barefoot Under The Stars" Benefit")
