 Eva Mendes was born in Miami, Florida (although many sources incorrectly state her birthplace is Houston, Texas) to Cuban parents of mulatto ancestery, and was raised in Los Angeles. She went to Hoover High School in Glendale, California. She later attended California State University, Northridge but dropped out to seek an acting career.
Eva Mendes worked her way up through commercials to music videos to guest roles in television soap operas and supporting film roles. She has appeared in such films as Training Day, Stuck on You, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and as the female lead in the comedy Hitch opposite Will Smith. Her role in Once Upon a Time in Mexico also gave her a nomination at the Teen Choice Awards. She has two major movie projects pending, including Ghost Rider, in which she costars along with Nicholas Cage.
Mendes is a spokesmodel for Revlon. She has also worked in interior design and has written children's books. Maxim magazine ranked her #27 in their 2006 Hot 100 issue. Eva Mendes captured the attention of moviegoers in a small, but pivotal role in the critically acclaimed film, “Training Day.” Since then, Mendes has proved she is adept in both comedic and dramatic roles. In a very short time, she has had the fortunate and unique opportunity to work with such esteemed directors as Carl Franklin, Robert Rodriguez, Antoine Fuqua, the Farrelly Bros. and John Singleton, therefore earning the reputation as a serious actress who is committed to her craft.
Mendes is currently in production on Columbia Picture’s supernatural action-adventure, “Ghost Rider” opposite Nicolas Cage. Ghost Rider is based on the Marvel Comic book superhero, Johnny Blaze a motorcycle stunt rider who makes a deal with the devil in order to save his father’s life only to become possessed by his demonic alter ego, Ghost Rider. The film is directed by Mark Steven Johnson and is slated for release in 2006. Eva can currently be seen in the Columbia Pictures blockbuster film, “Hitch” where she stars alongside Will Smith. Directed by Andy Tennant (“Sweet Home Alabama”), the romantic comedy tells the story of a professional matchmaker who is threatened by a female journalist who plans on exposing his dishonest methods.
Upcoming, Mendes stars in the independent film, “The Wendell Baker Story” co-starring Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson and Will Ferrell with Luke Wilson directing. The film, which is tentatively scheduled for release in 2005, is a Franchise Pictures production. Mendes’ first serious role came when she was cast as Denzel Washington’s girlfriend in the box office success, “Training Day,” for director Antoine Fuqua. Her portrayal led to the celebrated director, Carl Franklin, hiring Mendes for the MGM feature “Out of Time,” once more starring opposite Denzel Washington. In the same year, Mendes appeared in “Once Upon A Time in Mexico” opposite Johnny Depp. Mendes has also starred in the action blockbuster “2 Fast 2 Furious as well as the comedy feature film, “All About the Benjamins” starring opposite Ice Cube. She most recently starred opposite Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear in the Farrelly Bros. comedy, “Stuck on You.”
Mendes is also an international spokesperson for Revlon Cosmetics. Following in the elite footsteps of such beautiful women as Halle Berry, Cindy Crawford and Julianne Moore, Mendes currently appears in Revlon’s print and television advertising campaigns. She is also an active participant and ardent supporter in Revlon’s commitment in the fight against breast cancer.
Mendes, who is Cuban-American, was born in Miami and raised in Los Angeles. It was while Mendes was in college that she began her acting career. She began to study with the respected acting coach Ivana Chubbuck and soon thereafter, Mendes’ desire to appear on the big screen, became a reality. As she continues to grow as an actress, Mendes strives to develop her skills by learning from legendary filmmakers such as Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni and contemporaries like Pedro Almodovar, Spike Jonze and Steven Soderbergh. | 
