Eva Mendes (born March 5, 1974) is an American actress.
She began acting in the late 1990s, and after a series of minor roles and performances in several smaller films such as Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998) and Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000), she broke into the mainstream, appearing in leading roles in Hollywood releases, such as Training Day (2001); 2 Fast 2 Furious, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Stuck on You (all 2003); Hitch (2005); Ghost Rider and We Own the Night (both 2007); The Spirit (2008); Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009); The Other Guys and Last Night (both 2010).
Was a marketing major at California State University Northridge where she dropped out to pursue acting.
Is Cuban-American.
Is writing a book titled “Crazy Leggs Beshee”, inspired by her nieces and nephews, that introduces vocabulary, art, history and values through a medium kids understand.
Loves interior designing and would undertake this profession if not acting.
Her hobbies are music, sports (hiking, biking, skiing, and mountain climbing) and interior design.
Graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, California. John Cho, Joseph Hahn and Alex Kalognomos were also students there.
Has a sister named Janet living in Los Angeles.
Has played Denzel Washington’s wife/girlfriend twice, first in Training Day (2001) and again in Out of Time (2003/I).
Favourite films are The Shining (1980) and Blowup (1966)
Named #12 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.
Was among the guests at Jessica Simpson’s 25th birthday party.
2005: Ranked as #53 in FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005″ special supplement.
2002: Was featured as #54 in Maxim Magazine’s “Hot 100 of 2002″ supplement.
2004: Ranked as #80 in FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2004″ special supplement.
2006: Named #44 in FHM magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006″ supplement.
Was the speaking voice (“Welcome to Miami, Bienvenido a Miami”) in Will Smith’s song, “Miami”.
2007: Ranked #7 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 list.
Speaks Spanish fluently. English is her second language.
Was originally cast as Susan Ortega in Bruce Almighty (2003) but had to be replaced due to scheduling conflicts.
Has entered the Cinque Lodge rehab facility in Utah to battle substance abuse issues [February 7, 2008].
Ranked #7 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list. (She was ranked #7 on the previous year’s list, as well.).
Admires the film Network (1976), which inspired her to take up the film Live! (2007).
The youngest of four children. She has two sisters and one brother. She is the only member of her family to be born in the United States.
Frequently appears in Calvin Klein Underwear advertising campaigns with Irish male model Jamie Dornan (2009- ).
Was ranked #11 on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 of 2010 list.
