Eva de la Caridad Méndez, a stunning actress, possesses captivating eyes and a rich voice. She is well-known for not publicizing her personal life as the wife of Ryan Gosling.
She is celebrated for her numerous film roles over the past two decades. Best recognized as the Cocio Girl or by her professional alias Eva Mendes.
Eva Mendes Considered Becoming a Nun in her Early Years
Mendes was raised as a Roman Catholic and considered becoming a nun in her childhood. She also made the decision to remove the beauty mark on her left cheek.
Her mother worked at Mann’s Chinese Theatre and later for an aerospace company, while her father operated a meat distribution business.
She ultimately chose to retain the beauty mark, which has become an integral part of her appearance as one of the most alluring and sexiest Hollywood stars. When she was a teenager, she also dismissed the idea of becoming a nun after learning that nuns do not receive payment.
Eva Mendes in her Acting Career
After a talent manager noticed her photo in a friend’s portfolio, Mendes commenced her acting journey. Her inaugural film role was in a group of young individuals who become lost in middle America in the direct-to-video horror film Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror. Mendes was dissatisfied with her performance and promptly sought the guidance of an acting coach.
The 44-year-old Eva Mendes has worked on over 58 films, ranging from B movies and C movies to mainstream blockbusters such as Training Day, Hitch, and We Own The Night, alongside prominent Hollywood figures like Denzel Washington, Will Smith, and Mark Wahlberg.
Eva Mendes’ Significant Net Worth
Earning money has always been a significant aspect for Eva Mendes. Before her acting career took off, she pursued a marketing degree at California State University, Northridge.
As she mentioned in interviews: “I come from a modest family from the working class. I aspired to become everything, from an astronaut to an opera singer. However, I was captivated by acting when I watched the film Annie.
Eva Mendes has an estimated net worth of $20 million as of January 2022. She has made the most of her fortune with her career as an actress and a model.
Eva Mendes’ Involvement in Music Videos
Contrary to her dreams, it was almost coincidental how she entered the film industry. A Hollywood casting agent spotted her picture in a friend’s model portfolio.
Her captivating appearance landed her a role in Will Smith’s music video ‘Miami‘. The music video lasted 3 minutes and 57 seconds, during which Mendes sat behind the wheel of a convertible in sunny Florida.
In the Aerosmith music video ‘Hole in my Soul‘ from 1997, Eva Mendes appears in the video for a brief moment, but it was enough time for her beauty mark to become her trademark.
Regardless, it was sufficient to open the door to the actual film industry. Prior to attaining stardom in the film industry, her initial roles were in direct-to-video films, such as A Night At The Roxbury, Mortal Combat: Conquest, My Brother the Pig, and Urban Legends: Final Cut. These films never reached cinema audiences but were available in video rental stores.
Eva Mendes as an Entrepreneur
Eva Mendes is also a thriving businesswoman. She established her own clothing brand, named ‘Eva by Eva Mendes’, in collaboration with New York & Company in 2013.
The partnership has proven to be fruitful, perhaps due to her involvement in the design process, or maybe due to the world’s admiration for the beauty of 44-year-old Mendes.
Eva Mendes as a Model and Advocate
In 2005, Revlon enlisted Mendes as an international advocate and collaborated on their campaign to raise funds for breast cancer research.
In December 2007, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) utilized a nude photo of Mendes for their anti-fur campaign. Mendes also served as a spokesperson for the 2008 Campari calendar, and in July 2008, she was announced as the international face of Australia’s 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty event.
She made guest appearances in that country at the month-long festival in September. She also appeared nude in a 2008 print advertisement for Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession perfume, an ad that United States network executives found too provocative for broadcasting.
Mendes has been an advocate for Calvin Klein, Magnum, and the chocolate milk brand Cocio. She also endorsed Thierry Mugler’s Angel fragrance, Reebok shoes, and Pantene shampoo. In 2011, Mendes appeared in a Peek & Cloppenburg clothing catalog.
Eva Mendes as a Family-Oriented Individual and Advocate of Privacy
The role of Romina in The Place Beyond the Pines acted as a turning point in Eva Mendes’ personal life. Not only was the film rated 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb, but it also starred Ryan Gosling, with whom she has been in a relationship since the film was made, eventually leading to their secret marriage.
Due to their aversion to the limelight, neither Eva Mendes nor Ryan Gosling enjoys being in the public eye. They have exercised such control over their private life that, in contrast to other Hollywood celebrities, Eva Mendes is almost as renowned for her ability to evade paparazzi cameras. “I prioritize my family and enjoy being at home with my children,” Mendes stated.
Eva Mendes’ Accolades and Achievements
Eva Mendes has also received recognition for her outstanding acting performances. She received Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Actress in a supporting role in the family movie The Women in the year 2008.
She also won ALMA Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Fictional Feature Film in the year 2002.
In 2005, she received Saturn Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Fantasy feature for her performance in Ghost Rider.
