Eva Mendes, who has been absent from the big screen for a decade, recently shared her thoughts on a potential return to acting during an appearance on Good Morning America. While promoting her debut children’s book, Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries, Mendes reflected on her time in Hollywood and hinted at the possibility of stepping back into the spotlight if the right opportunity arises.
Keeping the Door Open
When asked about her return to acting, Mendes responded thoughtfully. “I don’t know. If there’s interesting roles,” she said, acknowledging her departure from the industry. “I left at a time where, 10 years ago, I kind of felt like I did it, ya know? I just worked with Ryan Gosling. He’s like the best.” Her laughter emphasized the joy she felt after collaborating with her now-husband, Gosling, on The Place Beyond the Pines. The experience was so fulfilling that she likened it to a high point in her career, stating, “It was such a high off my career to work with him and what we created together that I was like, this is a good time to Seinfeld it and just walk out.”
Mendes’ reference to Seinfeld—which ended abruptly after its ninth season despite its popularity—indicates her belief in leaving on a high note, a sentiment that resonates with many actors.
A Focus on Family
Before her hiatus from acting, Mendes starred in a range of successful films, including 2 Fast 2 Furious and The Other Guys. However, her most significant role was alongside Gosling in 2012’s The Place Beyond the Pines. After this project, she made the conscious decision to prioritize her family, focusing on raising their two daughters, Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 7.
In a previous interview with the Today show, Mendes expressed gratitude for the time she’s spent with her children, stating, “It was like a no-brainer. I’m so lucky, and I was like, if I could have this time with my children — and I still work, I just didn’t act.” She explained that acting often requires being away on location, making it challenging to balance her family life. “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘OK, he’s [Gosling] going to work and I’m going to work. I’m just going to work here.’”
Mutual Support
Throughout their time together, Mendes and Gosling have kept their relationship largely private but have consistently shown support for each other in subtle ways. For instance, Mendes shared a heartfelt Instagram post following Gosling’s standout performance of “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars earlier this year, demonstrating her pride and admiration for his work.
The Future of Eva Mendes
While Mendes has stepped away from acting for personal reasons, her openness to returning if interesting roles arise suggests that she may not be finished with Hollywood just yet. As she continues to explore other creative endeavors, including writing and her focus on family, fans of Mendes can remain hopeful that one day they may see her back on screen, bringing her unique charm and talent to new characters. Until then, Mendes seems content with her current life, balancing motherhood and her creative projects while keeping the door open for whatever the future may hold.
