At a time when movie promotional events typically stick to rehearsed talking points, Ryan Gosling went off script to do something quiet and undeniably human: use the spotlight to help his brother-in-law find work. During a promotional gathering for his new sci-fi adventure “Project Hail Mary” at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, Gosling paused the panel to point out Eva Mendes’ brother, Carlo Mendes, and urge the room full of directors, producers and writers to hire him.
Rare onstage plea: Ryan Gosling uses ‘Project Hail Mary’ moment to advocate for family
The clip of Gosling’s presentation was shared by a TikTok user and then picked up by outlets including Entertainment Weekly, which portrayed it as a heartfelt and slightly unexpected plea in the middle of an industry-focused event. “Can I stop you for a second?” before scanning the audience and shouting, “Carlo, are you in the audience? Where?” Once Mendes stood up, Gosling introduced him into the room, saying: “This is Carlo Mendes.
He is Eva Mendes’ brother. He is the hardest working, non working actor I have ever met in this city. Then he turned to the filmmakers in attendance and added: “Hail Mary, please, hire this guy! He’s worth it. If you’re writing something, directing something, put him in it. He’s worth it.”Mendes, who has been acting since the mid-2000s, has appeared in shows such as “90210,” “Parks & Recreation,” “The Rich & the Ruthless,” “The Bay,” and most recently on “9‑1‑1” and a recurring role as Hector Estrada in four episodes of “Dexter: Original Sin.”
In a post about his role in “Dexter,” he wrote, “Portraying a character like this was a dream come true. I was so nervous, just hoping I wouldn’t forget my name, my dialogue, or even drown,” underscoring his long and often quiet dedication to the craft.Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who began dating after working together in The Place Beyond the Pines, share two daughters and have long kept their family life low-key, yet this moment felt like a rare public exercise of influence rooted in real support rather than spectacle. The “La La Land” star, who has gained a reputation for being protective of his private life, used his “Project Hail Mary” platform not to promote himself but to defend someone he clearly respects.