Ryan Gosling paid tribute to the leading ladies in his life during an appearance at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival in Austin on Friday. The Drive actor, who welcomed a daughter named Esmeralda with his girlfriend Eva Mendes in September, mentioned his girls during a conversation with Guillermo del Toro at the Texas event. Speaking about making his directorial debut with his new film Lost River, which stars Eva, the 34-year-old actor said the experience has been made better because he was working with his friends and long-time love. "I really like working with my friends, I love all of these people," the Notebook star told the crowd, before Guillermo added: "You have a baby with one of them!"
Ryan referred to his girlfriend Eva as an "amazing woman"
Laughing, Ryan responded: "I do. I have lots of complicated, amazing women in my life, and that's increasing," Ryan's new film, for which he also wrote the screenplay, is a fantasy thriller that stars Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan and former Doctor Who star Matt Smith alongside Eva. Canada-born Ryan and his Florida-born love are famously private about their relationship and often keep out of the spotlight.
Ryan during his conversation with Guillermo del Toro
The duo were spotted out together with little Esmeralda in LA earlier this week, however, as Eva celebrated her 41st birthday – her first as a mum – on Monday evening. The birthday girl was on top form for her special day, wearing a pair of oversized hoop earrings and her hair swept back into a classic high ponytail. A huge smile, a colourful bunch of tulips and various gift bags were her final accessories. Eva's beau and baby weren't far away and a casually dressed Ryan was seen made his way to the LA venue alongside his gorgeous brunette, while a baby carrier was taken inside by a friend.