Ryan Gosling Makes Onstage Plea to Help Brother-in-Law Land Acting Jobs

Ryan Gosling made an unexpected appeal on behalf of his brother-in-law during a promotional event for his new film Project Hail Mary, drawing attention from a room full of industry professionals.

The moment took place on March 21, 2026, during a panel at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. Gosling was discussing the film when he paused the conversation to address the audience directly. He asked if Carlo Mendez was present and, after locating him, invited him to stand.

Gosling then introduced Mendez to the crowd, describing him as “the hardest-working nonworking actor in this town that I have ever met.” Framing the appeal as his own version of a “Hail Mary,” he added, “Please, hire this man. He deserves it.” He went further, urging directors and writers in attendance to consider casting Mendez in future projects.

Carlo Mendez, the brother of Gosling’s longtime partner Eva Mendes, is not new to acting. His past television credits include roles in 90210, Parks & Recreation, The Bay, and 9-1-1. More recently, he appeared in a recurring role as Hector Estrada in Dexter: Original Sin. He also starred in the 2024 film Demise.

The event was part of the press tour for Project Hail Mary, which opened in U.S. theaters on March 20, 2026. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, follows a scientist who wakes up alone on a spaceship and must figure out how to save Earth from a mysterious threat.

Video of Gosling’s appeal quickly circulated on social media, where many viewers reacted positively, describing the moment as genuine rather than promotional.