Eva Mendes Says She Didn't Actually Quit Acting, And She Explained Why She Took A Break

From the late 1990s to the mid-2010s, Eva Mendes was booked and busy when it came to acting roles.

Eva smiles at an event while wearing a floral print dress with longs sleeves and a matching headscarf
Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

But Eva hasn't been in a movie for eight years now — specifically, since 2014's Lost River, which was directed by her partner, Ryan Gosling.

  Warner Bros / courtesy Everett Collection
Warner Bros / courtesy Everett Collection

Eva recently gave an interview to Variety in which she said she didn't "really miss" acting since her last role, which prompted the publication (as well as others) to report that she'd "quit" the biz altogether.

  Donato Sardella / Getty Images for New York & Company
Donato Sardella / Getty Images for New York & Company

As it turns out, those reports weren't quite right — and now Eva is setting the record straight.

  Cindy Ord / Getty Images for New York & Company
Cindy Ord / Getty Images for New York & Company

"I never quit acting," Eva wrote in an Instagram reel that showcased all the headlines claiming that she did quit acting.

  Rick Diamond / Getty Images for New York & Comp
Rick Diamond / Getty Images for New York & Comp

As Eva explained in her post, her extended acting hiatus has been largely driven by wanting to focus on her family.

Eva has two children with Ryan.

Eva has two children with Ryan.

Rachel Murray / Getty Images for New York & Company

"I wanted to be home with my babies, and fortunately, my other business ventures allowed me to do that more than acting would," she said.

  Alexander Tamargo / FilmMagic / Getty images
Alexander Tamargo / FilmMagic / Getty images

Eva also explained that she was being offered "stereotypical roles" that didn't interest her — and that she hasn't found a role since Lost River, which she describes as her "dream project," that would be a suitable follow-up.

  Gary Gershoff / WireImage / Getty images
Gary Gershoff / WireImage / Getty images

"What's the point of this post?" she concluded. "To shift that narrative. I never quit. ♥️"

  Olivia Salazar / FilmMagic / Getty Images
Olivia Salazar / FilmMagic / Getty Images

So there you have it, straight from the source. If Eva ever returns to acting, don't be surprised — because she never really left!

  Michael Loccisano / Getty Images for SXSW
Michael Loccisano / Getty Images for SXSW

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