Eva Longoria

Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón(néeLongoria; born March 15, 1975) is an American actress, producer, director, and businesswoman. After several guest roles on television, she became recognized for her portrayal ofIsabella Brañaon theCBSdaytimesoap operaThe Young and the Restless(2001–2003). Herbreakthrough roleasGabrielle Solison theABCtelevision seriesDesperate Housewives(2004–2012) netted her twoScreen Actors Guild Awardsand aGolden Globenomination. She has appeared in the filmsThe Sentinel(2006),Over Her Dead Body(2008),For Greater Glory(2012),Frontera(2014),Lowriders(2016), andOverboard(2018), winning anImagen Awardfor the latter. She guest-starred on theHulumystery comedy-drama seriesOnly Murders in the Building(2024).
In 2005, Longoria foundedUnbeliEVAble Entertainment, a film and television production company. In 2023, the company was acquired byHyphenate Media Group, a production company co-founded by Longoria andCris Abrego. She also executive produced theLifetimetelevision seriesDevious Maids(2013–2016), the short-livedNBCsitcomTelenovela(2015–2016) in which she starred, and the filmsThe Harvest(2013) andFood Chains(2014). Her directorial ventures include the television seriesAshley Garcia: Genius in Love(2020), for which she was nominated at theDaytime Creative Arts Emmys, and theOscar-nominated filmFlamin' Hot(2023).
Longoria received a star on theHollywood Walk of Famein 2018. She has appeared in severaladvertising campaigns, including withL'Oréal,New York & Co,Pepsi, and launched her own fashion and parfumes brand in 2017. Her other business ventures include opening the restaurantBesoin 2008, investing in businesses and films such asJohn Wick(2014), and publishing a cookbook.
Longoria was born inCorpus Christi, Texas, on March 15, 1975,the youngest of the four daughters of herTejanoparents Ella Eva (Mireles) and Enrique Longoria Jr.One of her sisters has special needs. Longoria toldRedbookin 2016:
She was raisedRoman Catholic.She did not speak Spanish growing up, and did not learn the language until 2009.While in high school, she worked at aWendy'srestaurant part-time for three years to help earn money for herquinceañera.Longoria previously told the press how her years in fast food as a teen shaped her work ethic, saying "I couldn't wait to get to work and make my own money." Longoria earned her Bachelor of Science degree inkinesiologyatTexas A&M University-Kingsville.At that time (1998), she also won the title of Miss Corpus Christi USA.After completing college, she entered a talent contest that led her to Los Angeles; and shortly thereafter, was spotted and signed by atheatrical agent.While auditioning for roles, she worked as aheadhunterfor four years.Longoria has publicly creditedJennifer Lopezas being an inspiration to her early in her career. "Jennifer broke down so many doors so that we could walk through them," she told the magazinePeople. "And she kicked them down. They were not easy doors."She also described Tejana legendSelenaas being "my idol, my inspiration" and "the reason I even dared to dream that a better life was possible."After three years atCalifornia State University, Northridge, she received her master's degree inChicano studiesin May 2013. "This place was probably the place I grew most in my life… I was exhausted the whole time I was here," she laughs. "I did night school. I would finish filming [Desperate Housewives] and come here 7 to 10 at night, and then, go home and do it all again. Be on set at 5:00 a.m. It fills my heart with my Mexican pride."Herthesiswas "Success STEMS From Diversity: The Value of Latinas inSTEMCareers".
Longoria guest-starred in an episode ofBeverly Hills, 90210.Another guest appearance onGeneral Hospitalthe same year led to a contract role on theCBS Daytimesoap operaThe Young and the Restless, where she portrayedIsabella Brañafrom 2001 to 2003.After leaving that show, she appeared in the2003 revivalofJack Webb's long-runningDragnetmedia franchise. She then starred inSeñorita Justice, a poorly receiveddirect-to-videofilm; and a television film,The Dead Will Tell.
In 2003, Longoria was cast asGabrielle Solisin theABCcomedy-dramaDesperate Housewives.She later commented, "I think it's funny when people say I'm an overnight sensation, because I've been working at it for 10 years."Shortly after her debut onDesperate Housewives, she starred in a direct-to-video film,Carlita's Secret, for which she was also co-producer.
In 2006, she was nominated for aGolden Globe Awardfor Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, along with her co-stars inDesperate Housewives.That year, she received theALMA Award, and was named entertainer of the year.She also starred oppositeMichael DouglasandKiefer Sutherlandin the thrillerThe Sentinel(2006)—her first major role in a theatrical feature film—and played Sylvia inHarsh Times, starringFreddy RodríguezandChristian Bale.
In the 2000s, Longoria appeared in several high-profileadvertising campaignsand numerousmen's magazines, reaching No. 14 in theFHM"Sexiest Women 2008" poll. She was also featured on the cover of various international women's magazines, includingVogue,Marie ClaireandHarper's Bazaar.People en Españollisted her among its "Most Beautiful People" for 2003.She continues to be included in lists of Hollywood's Most Beautiful. She was listed as No. 1 inMaxim's Hottest Female Stars of 2005 and 2006, the first woman to top the list in two consecutive years.She was ranked No. 9 in the magazine's Hot 100 of 2007 list.In honor of Maxim's 100th issue in 2006, she was featured on a 75-by-110-foot (23 by 34 m) vinyl mesh replica of its January 2005 cover located in aClark County, Nevadadesert.More recently, she was ranked No. 14 ofPeople's Most Beautiful 2011.Peoplenamed her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.
In January 2007, Longoria was chosen to be the first face ofBebe Sport.She appeared in the Spring/Summer 2007 campaign, photographed by Greg Kadel.She also holds contracts withL'Oréal, and New York & Co.She also contracts withMagnum Ice-CreamandHeineken.She was a part of Microsoft's "I'm A PC" ad campaign.She and Tony Parker have appeared together in campaigns forLondon Fog.She became a spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris in 2005 and was still being featured in L'Oréal TV commercials and print ads as of 2016.
In the summer of 2010, she was a judge onThe Next Food Network Star;and in October, she hosted theMTV Europe Music Awards 2010in Madrid, Spain.
Based on her earnings from June 1, 2009, to June 1, 2010, Longoria was ranked No. 4 onForbesPrime Time's 10 Top-Earning Womenwith an estimated $12 million.She topped theForbesmagazine's list of the highest-paid TV actresses for 2011.
In 2013, Longoria professed that she was a "cat lady", and appeared as a spokesperson forShebaCat Food.
From 2013, she served as one of the executive producers ofDevious Maidsand directed the season two premiere, "An Ideal Husband". In 2016, she also starred in the fourth season, in the episode "Once More Unto the Bleach". She is also an executive producer of the documentariesThe HarvestandFood Chains,for which she won aJames Beard Foundation Award.
In 2015,NBCannounced plans for asitcomcalledTelenovelain which Longoria starred as a populartelenovelaactress. It was filmed with asingle camera.It ran for only one season.
In August 2016, Longoria's production company,UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, signed a two-year first-look deal withUniversal Pictures.
In 2017, Longoria directed the season three finale episode of theABCcomedyBlack-ish.The same year, she was attached to the pilot of a workplace comedy,Type-A.
In 2018, Longoria attended the premiere for her new film,Dog Dayswith co-starsVanessa Hudgens(Tara) andNina Dobrev(Elizabeth) on August 5, 2018.
In August 2019, Longoria was announced as the director of thebiopicFlamin' Hot, her feature-length directorial debut.The movie was released in 2023, amid a controversy into the authenticity of the subject matter.
In September 2020, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment renewed a three-year first-look deal with20th Television.
In 2021, Longoria was working withKenya Barristo develop a possible new television seriesBrown-ishabout aLatinofamily.
She will produce aSpanish-languageadaptation of the television seriesCall My Agent!forLatin Americaand the U.S. and direct the first two episodes.
In June 2024, theLos Angeles Timesfeatured Longoria in its "L.A. Influential" series as a "creator who is leaving their mark" in Los Angeles.
In March 2008, Longoria opened the restaurantBeso(which means "kiss" in Spanish) in Hollywood, along with partner andcelebrity chefTodd English. The restaurant is located onHollywood Boulevardand is accompanied by Kiss, a Victorian-themednightclubon the floor above.The Hollywood Beso was scheduled to be the focus of a pilot episode for a tentativereality seriescalledBeso: Waiting on Fame, to air onVH1in late 2010.In 2009, Longoria and various investor-partners opened a Beso restaurant, with a nightclub called Eve above it, in theCrystalsretail and entertainment district ofCityCenterinLas Vegas.
In 2011, the corporation Beso LLC, owner of the Vegas restaurant-and-nightclub venture, with listed assets of about $2.5 million and Longoria as a 32 percent shareholder, filed forChapter 11protection, entering bankruptcy proceedings, in order to restructure nearly $5.7 million in debt and other liabilities.On July 28, 2011, the U.S.Bankruptcy Court for Nevadaordered Longoria to appear in Las Vegas on August 20 in order to be examined about the bankrupt restaurant's finances.
In terms of food-related promotions, in 2012 and 2013, Longoria paired withIron ChefMichael Symonfor a promotion forPepsiCo'sLay's potato chipscontest called "Do Us A Flavor". The promotion encourages consumers to submit new flavor ideas and fans to vote for their favorite onFacebook. The person who creates the winning flavor is awarded $1 million or one percent of chip flavor's net sales.
After some of the funding failed to arrive a week before production of the 2014 filmJohn Wickwas due to commence Longoria stepped in and provided $6 million.She doubled her investment in 10 years and continues to receive financial returns from the success of the film though she has no financial interest in any of its sequels.
In 2015, Longoria announced that she had teamed up withsportswearmanufacturer Sunrise Brands to create a women's apparel collection, set to launch Fall 2016.
In March 2017, Longoria launched her clothing line website on her official site.In December 2023, she was a guest narrator atDisney's Candlelight ProcessionalatWalt Disney World.
After being approached byNatalie Portman, Longoria in 2020 joined the ownership group ofAngel City FCof theNational Women's Soccer League.
In 2006, Longoria founded Eva's Heroes, a charity which helps young adults withdevelopmental disabilities. Based inSan Antonio, Texas, it was inspired by her sister, who has intellectual disabilities.
Longoria is the national spokesperson for PADRES Contra El Cancer.She signed shoes for the Spirit of Women Red Shoe Celebrity Auction.She also supports the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation,OmniPeace, theNational Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Stroke Association,Project HOMEandSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital.She is an executive producer ofShine GlobalInc.'s documentaryThe Harvest,which focuses on the 500,000 child migrant farm workers in the U.S. and promotes awareness and support to enact theChildren's Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act).
Her other charity, the Eva Longoria Foundation, aims to close the education gap plaguing Latinasand to confront Latino poverty.She started: "The Eva Longoria Foundation supports programs which help Latinas excel in school and attend college. Additionally, we work to provide Latina entrepreneurs with career training, mentorship, capital and opportunity."The foundation offers nine-week "parent engagement" courses to help Latino parents; has a mentorship program and other activities for Latinas;and provides loans to Latina-owned businesses.It is co-funded by philanthropistHoward Buffett,son of investorWarren Buffett.
Longoria was named Philanthropist of the Year in 2009 byThe Hollywood Reporterfor her commitment to Latino causes and giving back to the community.She appeared onFort Boyardin 2009, helping attract more than €20,000 for theMake-A-Wish Foundation.
In 2009, Longoria enrolled in a Master's program in Chicano studies andpolitical scienceatCal State University, Northridge. She said, "Because of my involvement with theNCLRand my charity work, I really wanted a better, more authentic understanding of what my community has gone through so I [could] help create change."She graduated with a master's degree in Chicano studies in May 2013.
In September 2009, Longoria was appointed to a bipartisan commission to establish aNational Museum of the American Latino.In October 2012, she spoke at the McAfee Focus 2012 event, where the "theme of safety—beyond computers—emerged. Safety involving financial security, emotional security, and the other results from Longoria's philanthropic efforts."
In March 2017, UK-based company Richtopia included Longoria at No. 42 on its list of 200 Most Influential Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide.
In July 2019, Longoria supported theSpecial OlympicsTexas Summer Games hosted byToyota FieldandMorgan's Wonderlandin San Antonio, Texas.In 2020 she assisted the San Antonio Food Bank with their COVID-relief efforts.
Combining her education advocacy with business in collaboration with Mott's Fruit Flavored Snacks, Longoria began promoting Mott's Snacks and Stories program which gives away bilingual children's books. "When you look at the statistics, 45% of children in the U.S. are living in book deserts with limited access to books," she stated on the subject.
In March 2024, Longoria was granted $50-millionCourage and Civility AwardbyJeff Bezosand his fiancéeLauren Sánchezin recognition of her charity work through the Eva Longoria Foundation supports programs for Latinas.
Longoria has a keen interest inimmigration. She accompanied aborderpatrolin Arizona and has immersed herself in the issues to understand the Mexican and the U.S. points of view.She has described Arizona'sSB 1070immigration law asunconstitutional.
In 2012, Longoria was one of seven Californians named to the post of co-chair ofBarack Obama'sreelectioncampaign.On September 6, she spoke at the2012 Democratic National Conventionwhere she endorsed President Obama's reelection.In May 2014, she initiated theLatino VictoryProject to raise funds for candidates and efforts to get out the vote.An executive producer of the documentariesThe HarvestandFood Chains, she is a supporter of theCoalition of Immokalee Workers.
In 2014, Longoria endorsedMarianne WilliamsonforCalifornia's 33rd congressional district.In 2018, Longoria endorsedBeto O'Rourkefor Senate against SenatorTed Cruz,as well asColin AllredforTexas's 32nd congressional districtagainst then-incumbent Rep.Pete Sessions.
Longoria spoke at the2016 Democratic National ConventioninPhiladelphiaon July 26, 2016.In August 2020, she hosted the first night of the2020 Democratic National Convention, which was held remotely because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.Longoria spoke at the2024 Democratic National ConventioninChicagoon August 22, 2024.
In preparation of Georgia's runoff elections, on January 2, 2021, Longoria participated in aVoteRiderstextbanking event withAmerica Ferrerato help educate Latina voters regarding the state's voter ID laws.Longoria was touted byTexas Monthlyas a potential topDemocraticcontender in the2024 United States Senate election in Texas, citing her past refusal to rule out a run for office in the future.
Longoria's first book,Eva's Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends, was published in April 2011.
Longoria was married to actorTyler Christopher, star ofGeneral Hospital, from 2002 to 2004.
Longoria metTony Parker, then thepoint guardfor theSan Antonio Spurs, in November 2004. On November 30, 2006, they became engaged,and married in a civil service on July 6, 2007, at a Paris city hall. They had a Catholic wedding ceremony at theSaint-Germain l'AuxerroisChurch in Paris on July 7, 2007.On November 17, 2010, Longoria filed for divorce from Parker in Los Angeles, citing "irreconcilable differences".In the divorce petition, she requested that her family name be restored, and soughtspousal supportfrom Parker.The couple had aprenuptial agreementsigned in June 2007, a month before their wedding, and amended two years later in June 2009.
Longoria told her friendMario Lopezthat she had discovered hundreds of text messages from another woman on her husband's phone.Extraidentified the other woman as Erin Barry, then-wife ofBrent Barry, Parker's former teammate, and revealed that the Barrys were also divorcing.In light of her divorce, Longoria canceled her scheduled appearance at the 2010American Music Awards.On November 19, 2010, Parker filed for divorce from Longoria inBexar County, Texas,on the grounds of "discord or conflict of personalities", establishing a legal battle over where the case would be heard. Unlike Longoria's divorce petition, Parker's did not mention a prenuptial agreement and claimed that the parties would "enter into an agreement for the division of their estate".The divorce was finalized in Texas on January 28, 2011, the same day Longoria's lawyer filed papers to dismiss her Los Angeles petition. Longoria later said, "I didn't realize it at the time with Tony, but I had become my own version of a desperate housewife."
On December 13, 2015, Longoria reported her engagement to Mexican businessman José Antonio "Pepe" Bastón Patiño,then the president ofTelevisa, the largest media company in Latin America.They met on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend inMexico City; at the time, Bastón did not know who Longoria was, and initially declined the invitation to meet her because of his busy schedule.They were married in Mexico on May 21, 2016.
On December 19, 2017, it was reported that Longoria was pregnant with her first child.She gave birth to a son in 2018.
In November 2024 she revealed that she moved out of the United States with her family and they split their time betweenMexicoandSpain.
According to research done in 2010 byHarvardprofessor andFaces of AmericahostHenry Louis Gates Jr., Longoria's oldest identifiable Spanish immigrant ancestor is her ninth great-grandfather, Lorenzo Suárez de Longoria (b.Oviedo, 1592), who was a colonist of theViceroyalty of New Spain(modern-day Mexico) in 1603. His family was based in a small village called Llongoria,Belmonte de Miranda, Asturias, Spain.Longoriais the Castillanized form of thisAsturian-languagesurname.
In 1767, her seventh great-grandfather received almost 4,000 acres (16 km) of land along theRio Grandein a land grant from KingCharles III of Spain. The family retained this land for more than a century. After the US-Mexican border was moved southwards in the aftermath of theMexican–American War, the land ended up on the American side of the border. Her family had to deal with the influx of United States settlers following the Mexican–American War and theAmerican Civil War.
According toDNA testing, Longoria's overall genetic ancestry is 70% European, 27%Indigenous American, and 3%African.A computer analysis of the DNA results of Gates's dozen guests showed that Longoria has the same genetichaplogroupas cellistYo-Yo Ma, who is of Chinese heritage.As women have two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome, Longoria did not inherit her father'sY-DNA, but she did inherit her mother'smitochondrial DNA(genetic information passed from mother to child). Longoria's mtDNA belongs to theHaplogroup A2, making her a direct descendant of a Native American woman, aMayanfrom the territory of Mexico long before it was Mexico. Her ancestors include many other Maya on both sides of her family.
Longoria identifies as a "Texican"—a Mexican-American Texan.
Longoria has over 60 credits to her name within film and television.