Eva Mendes Says Ryan Gosling's 'Cuban Papi'SNLSketch Was Inspired by Hanging Out with Her Dad: 'Finally Paid Off'

Mar. 15, 2025

Eva Mendes on ‘The Tonight Show’; Ryan Gosling in the ‘Can’t Tonight’ ‘SNL’ sketch.Photo:Todd Owyoung/NBC/Getty; Will Heath/NBC/Getty

Todd Owyoung/NBC/Getty; Will Heath/NBC/Getty

Ryan Goslinggot some inspiration fromEva Mendes' family for hisSaturday Night Livehosting stint.

During an appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonon Wednesday, Sept. 18, Mendes, 50, was asked which her favoriteSNLsketcheswere from when her longtime partner Gosling, 43, hosted the show on April 13.

“With Cuban Papi, the thing that was so funny is my dad actually doesn’t speak English and this is like ‘Oh, he speaks a little.’ No, no, no, he doesn’t speak English. He’s been in the country for 50-something years,” Mendes told Fallon.

“And that’s it. So, after what? 12 years? It finally paid off,” Mendes told the host.

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This isn’t the first time the actress — who has been promoting her children’s bookDesi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries— has mentionedthe inspiration behind theSNLsketch.

On April 16, a few days after the skit aired, Mendes shared the clip onInstagram, writing in the caption, “My Cuban Papi made this Cuban Mami so happy with this!! Years of hanging out with my Dad paid off.”

“Gracias to the super talented @marcellohdz for this skit. The way you say ‘Eva Mendes’ 😂! And @kenanthompson always crushing,” she added, referencingSNLcast membersMarcello HernándezandKenan Thompsonwho also appear in the sketch.

“Can’t wait for this trio’s next reunion. ❤️,” Mendes concluded.

Kenan Thompson, Ryan Gosling and Marcello Hernández in the ‘Can’t Tonight’ ‘SNL’ sketch.Will Heath/NBC/Getty

Will Heath/NBC/Getty

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In the sketch, Gosling and Hernández portray two friends trying to convince Thompson to go out to the club with them. At one point, Thompson tells the server that Gosling — who speaks with a Latino accent throughout — “is from Tennessee, but ever since he married a Cuban woman, he different.”

“A Cuban wife can change you,” the Canadian star joked.

Gosling and Mendesfirst started dating after making 2012’sThe Place Beyond the Pines. The longtime couple now sharetwo daughterstogether; Esmeralda Amada, 10, andAmada Lee, 8.

source: people.com