Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria
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Name	Eva Longoria
Birth name	Eva Jacqueline Longoria
Birth date	March 15, 1975
Birth place	Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Occupation	Actress, producer, director, activist
Years active	1999–present
Spouse	Tony Parker (m. 2007–2011), José Antonio Bastón (m. 2016–present)

Eva Longoria is a renowned American actress, producer, director, and activist, best known for her role as Gabrielle Solis in the ABC television series Desperate Housewives, which also starred Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Longoria developed an interest in acting at a young age, inspired by Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan. She began her career in the entertainment industry with guest appearances on popular TV shows such as General Hospital and Beverly Hills, 90210, alongside Luke Perry and Jason Priestley. Longoria's breakthrough role in Desperate Housewives earned her numerous award nominations, including Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards, competing against talented actresses like Sandra Oh and Christina Applegate.

● Early Life and Education

Eva Longoria was born to Mexican-American parents, Enrique Longoria Jr. and Ella Eva Mireles, in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she grew up with her three sisters, Elizabeth Longoria, Emily Longoria, and Esmeralda Longoria. Longoria attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology and later received her master's degree in Chicano studies from California State University, Northridge, with a focus on Latin American studies and sociology, similar to the academic pursuits of Rita Moreno and America Ferrera. During her college years, Longoria was involved in various pageants and beauty contests, including the Miss Corpus Christi competition, which led to her discovery by a talent agent from Los Angeles, similar to the experiences of Halle Berry and Priyanka Chopra.

● Career

Longoria's acting career took off with guest appearances on popular TV shows such as The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, and Beverly Hills, 90210, alongside Shemar Moore and Jennie Garth. Her breakthrough role came in 2004 when she was cast as Gabrielle Solis in the ABC television series Desperate Housewives, which also starred Nicollette Sheridan and Dana Delany. The show's success led to Longoria's rise to fame, with appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Saturday Night Live, hosted by Justin Timberlake and Tina Fey. Longoria has also worked with renowned directors like Martin Scorsese and Steven Soderbergh on films such as The Sentinel and Over Her Dead Body, alongside Michael Douglas and Paul Rudd. Her collaborations with Hollywood stars like Demi Moore and Kate Hudson have been well-received by audiences and critics alike, including Roger Ebert and Peter Travers.

● Filmography

Longoria's filmography includes a range of genres, from romantic comedies like Over Her Dead Body and Lower Learning, to dramas like The Sentinel and Lowriders, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival, respectively. She has worked with acclaimed actors like Forest Whitaker and Andy García on films such as A Dark Truth and The Baytown Outlaws, which received praise from critics like A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis. Longoria has also lent her voice to animated films like Foodfight! and Arthur Christmas, alongside James McAvoy and Jim Broadbent. Her recent projects include the NBC series Telenovela, which co-starred Jencarlos Canela and Diana Maria Riva, and the Netflix series Grand Hotel, based on the Spanish series Gran Hotel, created by Ramón Campos and Gema R. Neira.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, Longoria has received numerous award nominations for her performances, including Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and ALMA Awards, which recognize the achievements of Latinx talent in the entertainment industry, such as Rita Moreno and Edward James Olmos. She has won several awards, including a People's Choice Award and a Teen Choice Award, voted by fans and presented by FOX and The CW. Longoria has also been recognized for her philanthropic work, receiving awards from organizations like the National Council of La Raza and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which have also honored Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

● Personal Life

Longoria has been married twice, first to Tony Parker, a French professional basketball player, from 2007 to 2011, and then to José Antonio Bastón, a Mexican businessman, in 2016, with whom she has a son, Santiago Enrique Bastón. She is a practicing Catholic and has been involved in various charity work, including supporting organizations like the Children's Miracle Network and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which have also been supported by Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Longoria is also a Democratic Party supporter and has been involved in various political campaigns, including the 2008 United States presidential election and the 2012 United States presidential election, which featured candidates like Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

● Philanthropy

Longoria is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various causes, including education, healthcare, and women's rights, through organizations like the Eva Longoria Foundation, which she founded in 2010, and the United Service Organizations, which have also been supported by Drew Barrymore and Ben Affleck. She has worked with UNICEF and the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts and has been involved in various fundraising campaigns, including the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, which featured performances by Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. Longoria has also supported Latinx organizations, such as the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and the Latin Grammy Foundation, which have also been supported by Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin.