Eva Mendes hates being praised by Ryan Gosling.

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes

The 41-year-old actress was incredibly "helpful" to her 34-year-old partner - with who she has eight-month-old daughter Esmeralda - on the set of his directorial debut 'Lost River' by sourcing props and costumes, but the hunky star admits she won't take any credit.

He said: "She indirectly picked things that became very important to different people involved. Never wanting credit. She hates credit and she'll even be mad that I'm giving her that credit. But she was very helpful in so many ways."

Eva also appears in the movie, alongside Ben Mendelsohn, Matt Smith, Saoirse Ronan, and Ryan found it "helpful" having her working on the film because she knew how much it meant to him.

Asked what it was like working with the brunette beauty, he told Australia's Sunday Style magazine: "Well, and I'm not trying to avoid the question, but everybody in this film, for the most part, I had worked with before.

"For me, it was crucial to work in this intimate, low-budget, small way, with people I had worked with before, because I feel like in my experience that's where everyone was at their best.

"So, it helped, was the answer to that question.

Because they know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work that's gone into getting there."