Ahead of the March 20 release of his new sci-fi-action-adventure-in-space movie Project Hail Mary—Mendes made a surprise 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 close to Mendes’ heart) and enlisted a high school marching band to play “Happy Birthday” for the actress, who was turning 52 that day.
They held hands and even shared a kiss, during what was their first joint showbiz appearance together since SXSW in 2015—where they appeared at a Q&A following the premiere of Lost River, directed by Gosling and starring 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 March 7, making sure to squeeze in “Happy birthday, Eva!” and “Ama, Ezzy, I love you!” to the evening’s thank-yous at show’s end.
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 were 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.
But for almost the totality of their relationship, they have for the most part opted to run their respective professional lives solo, while obviously having each other’s back behind the scenes.