Why Eva Mendes Quit Acting—And the Reason Involves Ryan Gosling

Eva Mendes has found her place beyond the pines with Ryan Gosling and their kids.

In fact, the Hitch alum, whose last movie credit was Ryan's 2014 directorial debut Lost River, has no regrets step away from her acting career to focus on raising their daughters Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 7.

"It was like a no-brainer," Eva shared on Today's March 26 broadcast. "I'm so lucky if I could have this time with my children."

That's why she's very selective about her own work, choosing projects—such as her Skura Style household product line—that will allow her to be closer to home.

"Acting takes you on location," Eva noted. "It takes you away."

The 50-year-old added that Ryan, who she started dating after filming their 2011 crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines, was also supportive of her decision.

"It was almost like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, 'OK, he's going to work and I'm going to work. I'm just going to work here,'" she said. "He went and he did his job. He just happens to be really good at his job."

The couple's arrangement also ensures that at least one parent will be with the girls at all times. As Eva shared earlier this month, the Barbie actor, 43, was "holding down the fort at home so I could live the Dolce Evita for a couple days."

Posting a video of herself at Milan Fashion Week, the actress wrote on Instagram, "La Dolce Evita made possible by...my man."

To look back at Eva and Ryan's love story, keep reading.

(E! and Today are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Ryan Gosling visited Eva Mendes in Paris while she was filming her movie Holly Motors in 2011.

The couple spent some alone time together at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

The pair were seen in 2011 while hiking and visiting a popular sightseeing spot right under the Hollywood sign in L.A.

The two lovebirds look thankful for each other while taking a stroll around New York City on Thanksgiving morning in 2012.

The adventurous pair fit in some quality time up north at the Niagara Falls Amusement Park in 2014.

Nothing gets between this couple, not even coffee! The two are inseparable holding hands as they grab coffee in NYC.

Ryan and Eva walked hand in hand and enjoyed a evening full of rides, food carts and PDA at Disneyland.

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