In anticipation of the March 20 release of his new sci-fi-action-adventure-in-space film Project Hail Mary— Mendes made an unexpected appearance alongside Gosling on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 5. The host and his guest filled the audience with teachers (a profession dear to Mendes’ heart) and enlisted a high school marching band to perform “Happy Birthday” for the actress, who was celebrating her 52nd birthday that day.
They held hands and even shared a kiss during what was their first joint showbiz appearance since SXSW in 2015—where they attended a Q&A following the premiere of Lost River, directed by Gosling and featuring Mendes, but did not stand next to each other.
The celebration continued when the 45-year-old hosted Saturday Night Live for the fourth time on March 7, ensuring to include “Happy birthday, Eva!” and “Ama, Ezzy, I love you!” in the evening’s thank-yous at the show’s conclusion.
Of course, it’s not as if he and Mendes haven’t gone out over the last 13 years. They even take their children places, as parents do. After the family of four was spotted at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mendes gave NBC Olympics an approving shout-out for leaving their daughters out of the frame when the couple’s presence at a women’s gymnastics event was duly noted.
However, for nearly their entire relationship, they have largely chosen to pursue their respective professional lives independently while clearly supporting each other behind the scenes.
