Eva Mendes is one of the most versatile and talented actresses in Hollywood. She has starred in a variety of genres, from action to comedy to drama, and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. She is also a successful model, businesswoman, and author. But behind the scenes, she is a devoted wife to Ryan Gosling, and a loving mother to their two daughters. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Eva Mendes, and how she balances her personal and professional roles.
Early Life and Education
Eva Mendes was born on March 5, 1974, in Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents Eva Pérez Suárez and Juan Carlos Méndez. She is the youngest of four children, and has two sisters, Janet and Becky, and a brother, Juan Carlos, who passed away in 2016. She was raised by her mother in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake, after her parents divorced. Her mother worked at Mann’s Chinese Theatre, and later for an aerospace company, and her father ran a meat distribution business.
Mendes attended Hoover High School in Glendale, and later studied marketing at California State University, Northridge. However, she dropped out of college to pursue an acting career, after a talent manager saw her photo in a friend’s portfolio. She also hired an acting coach, Ivana Chubbuck, to improve her skills.
Acting Career
Mendes made her film debut in 1998, in the horror movie Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror. She was disappointed in her performance, and decided to work harder on her craft. She then appeared in several films, such as A Night at the Roxbury, My Brother the Pig, and Urban Legends: Final Cut.
Her breakthrough role came in 2001, when she played the girlfriend of Denzel Washington’s character in the crime thriller Training Day. The film was a critical and commercial success, and earned Mendes recognition and praise. She then starred in several popular movies, such as 2 Fast 2 Furious, Hitch, Ghost Rider, We Own the Night, and The Other Guys. She also appeared in music videos for artists like Will Smith and Aerosmith.
Mendes has also ventured into more dramatic and independent films, such as Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Out of Time, Stuck on You, The Women, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Last Night, and The Place Beyond the Pines. She has received various nominations and awards for her performances, such as the Teen Choice Awards, the ALMA Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards.
Mendes has not acted in a starring role since 2012, when she co-starred with her partner Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond the Pines. Her last film appearance was a cameo in Gosling’s directorial debut, Lost River, in 2014. She has since focused on raising her children, and overseeing her clothing line and makeup brand.
Modeling and Business
Mendes has also been a successful model and ambassador for various brands, such as Calvin Klein, Cartier, Reebok, Pantene, Morgan, and Peek & Cloppenburg. She has appeared in several magazines, such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan. She has also posed for the famous PETA campaign, “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur”.
In 2013, Mendes launched her own fashion collection for New York & Company, a women’s clothing retailer. She designs and models for the line, which features dresses, tops, pants, skirts, jackets, and accessories. She has said that her style is influenced by her Cuban heritage, and that she aims to create affordable and flattering clothes for women of all shapes and sizes.
In 2015, Mendes became the creative director of CIRCA Beauty, a makeup line sold at Walgreens. She oversees the product development, packaging, and marketing of the brand, which offers a range of cosmetics, such as foundation, lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, and blush. She has said that her goal is to create high-quality and accessible products that enhance the natural beauty of women.
Personal Life and Family
Mendes has been in a relationship with Canadian actor Ryan Gosling since 2011, when they met on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines. They have two daughters, Esmeralda Amada, born in 2014, and Amada Lee, born in 2016. The couple is notoriously private about their personal life, and rarely make public appearances together. They live in Los Angeles, California.
Mendes is fluent in Spanish and English, and speaks some French. She is a Roman Catholic, and has said that she considered becoming a nun when she was younger. She loves interior design, and has decorated her own home. She also enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and mountain climbing. She has a Belgian Malinois dog, named Hugo, who was trained in French.
Mendes is also an author of a children’s book, titled Crazy Leggs Beshee, which she wrote in 2007. The book is inspired by her nieces and nephews, and introduces vocabulary, art, history, and values through a medium kids understand. She has said that she plans to write more books in the future.
Trivia
Here are some interesting facts about Eva Mendes:
- She was the speaking voice in Will Smith’s song “Miami”, and appeared in the music video. In 2005, when she was cast opposite Smith in Hitch, she mentioned this to him during rehearsals. Smith sheepishly admitted that he did not remember her.
- She entered a rehab facility in Utah in 2008, to battle substance abuse issues. She has since recovered and said that it was the best decision she ever made.
- She has played Denzel Washington’s wife/girlfriend twice: in Training Day and Out of Time. She has also worked with him as a producer in Live!, a film about a Russian roulette game show.
- She loves cemeteries and contemporary gothic art. She has said that she finds them peaceful and beautiful, and that they inspire her creativity.
- She is close friends with Liv Tyler, whom she met at a photo shoot in 1997. They have remained in touch ever since, and often exchange gifts and advice.
- She admires the film Network, which inspired her to star in Live!. She has also said that her favorite films are Blow-Up and The Shining.
- She is Cuban-American, and was raised Roman Catholic. She has said that she is proud of her heritage, and that she tries to keep in touch with her roots.
- She is one of the few minority actors to play the lead in a hit romantic comedy, Hitch. She has said that she hopes to break stereotypes and open doors for other actors of color.
- She is a vegetarian, and supports animal rights. She has posed for the famous PETA campaign, “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur”.
- She is a fan of the TV show Game of Thrones, and has said that she would love to play a character on the show.
Conclusion
Eva Mendes is a remarkable woman, who has achieved success in various fields. She is a talented actress, a stunning model, a savvy businesswoman, and a caring mother. She is also a humble and generous person, who supports various causes and charities. She is an inspiration to many, and a role model for women everywhere. She is Eva Mendes, the wife, the mother, the actress.