Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria
	File:Eva Longoria 2014.jpg Longoria in 2014
Born	Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón; March 15, 1975 (age 51); Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Actress, producer, director, entrepreneur
Years active	1999–present
Known for	Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives

Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón (née Longoria; born March 15, 1975) is an American actress, producer, director, and entrepreneur. She first gained attention portraying Isabella Braña on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless from 2001 to 2003. Her major breakthrough role was Gabrielle Solis on ABC's Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), which earned her two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe nomination. Longoria's filmography includes titles such as The Sentinel (2006), Over Her Dead Body (2008), For Greater Glory (2012), Frontera (2014), Lowriders (2016), and Overboard (2018), for which she received an Imagen Award. In 2024, she appeared as a guest star on Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, contributing to a third Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

In 2005, Longoria established UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, a production company that was acquired in 2023 by Hyphenate Media Group, a firm she co-founded alongside Cris Abrego. She has served as executive producer for Lifetime's Devious Maids (2013–2016), NBC's Telenovela (2015–2016)—a series in which she also starred—and films including The Harvest (2013) and the documentary Food Chains (2014). Her directing credits feature the series Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love (2020), which earned her a Daytime Creative Arts Emmy nomination, as well as the Oscar-nominated feature film Flamin' Hot (2023).

Longoria was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018. Her endorsement portfolio includes brands such as L'Oréal, New York & Co, and Pepsi. In 2017, she introduced her own lines of fashion and fragrances. Additional business pursuits encompass launching the restaurant Beso in 2008, investing in movies like John Wick (2014), and authoring a cookbook.

Early life and education

Born on March 15, 1975, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Longoria is the youngest of four daughters born to Tejano parents Ella Eva (Mireles) and Enrique Longoria Jr. Having a sister with special needs deeply influenced her dedication to family values and professional discipline. Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, she did not become fluent in Spanish until 2009. Throughout high school, she held a part-time position at a Wendy's restaurant for three years to support her expenses.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1998—the same year she earned the Miss Corpus Christi USA title. Following college, participation in a talent contest led her to Los Angeles where she secured representation by a theatrical agent. During her early auditions, she supported herself by working as a headhunter for four years.

Longoria cites Jennifer Lopez as an early career role model who "broke down barriers" for Latinas in Hollywood. She also regards Tejana icon Selena as an inspiration and driving force behind her pursuit of success.

After three years of study at California State University, Northridge, Longoria completed a master's degree in Chicano studies in May 2013 while balancing filming commitments on Desperate Housewives alongside night classes. Her thesis titled "Success STEMS From Diversity: The Value of Latinas in STEM Careers" underscores her commitment to promoting representation and empowerment within the Latinx community.

2000s

During the early 2000s, Longoria made guest appearances on Beverly Hills, 90210 and secured a recurring role on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless from 2001 to 2003. In 2003, she featured in the revived version of Dragnet and took leading roles in the direct-to-video movie Señorita Justice as well as the television film The Dead Will Tell.

Her breakthrough came in 2003 when she was cast as Gabrielle Solis on ABC's acclaimed comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, a part that notably elevated her career. Additionally, she co-produced and starred in the direct-to-video project Carlita's Secret.

By 2006, Longoria had secured a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy and won the ALMA Award for entertainer of the year. That same year, she appeared in feature films such as The Sentinel, acting alongside Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland, and Harsh Times, sharing the screen with Freddy Rodríguez and Christian Bale.

Longoria gained considerable recognition through advertising campaigns and features in men's magazines, ranking 14th in FHM's "Sexiest Women 2008" poll and topping Maxim's list of Hottest Female Stars in both 2005 and 2006. She graced the covers of prominent international women's magazines including Vogue, Marie Claire, and Harper's Bazaar. People en Español included her in their "Most Beautiful People" list in 2003, with her continuing appearances in People magazine's Most Beautiful compilations through to 2012.

In January 2007, Longoria became the inaugural face of Bebe Sport, fronting their Spring/Summer campaign. She has maintained endorsement deals with brands such as L'Oréal Paris, New York & Co., Magnum Ice Cream, Heineken, and was featured in Microsoft's "I'm A PC" advertisement series. Alongside Tony Parker, she appeared in promotional campaigns for London Fog. Since 2005, Longoria has served as a spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris, continuing to appear in their commercials and print advertisements as recently as 2016.

2010s

In the summer of 2010, Longoria took on the role of judge on The Next Food Network Star and hosted the 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards held in Madrid.

Between June 2009 and June 2010, her earnings were estimated at $12 million, placing her fourth on Forbes list of Prime Time's Top-Earning Women and securing her position as the highest-paid TV actress according to Forbes' rankings in 2011.

In 2013, she became an ambassador for Sheba Cat Food.

Longoria expanded her production credits by executive producing Devious Maids starting in 2013; she directed the premiere episode of its second season and made a guest appearance during season four. Her production work also includes documentaries such as The Harvest and Food Chains, which earned her a James Beard Foundation Award.

In 2015, she starred in NBC’s sitcom Telenovela, playing a well-known telenovela actress; however, the single-camera comedy lasted only one season.

Her production company, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, secured a two-year first-look agreement with Universal Pictures in August 2016.

In 2017, Longoria directed the season three finale of ABC’s comedy series Black-ish and was set to star in Fox’s pilot titled Type-A.

By August 2018, she attended the premiere of her film Dog Days, appearing alongside co-stars Vanessa Hudgens and Nina Dobrev.

2020s

In August 2019, Longoria was revealed as the director for the biographical film Flamin' Hot, which marked her first time directing a feature-length movie. The film premiered in 2023, sparking debate regarding the accuracy of its portrayal of real events.

By September 2020, Longoria’s production company, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, secured a renewed three-year first-look agreement with 20th Television.

In 2021, she teamed up with Kenya Barris to develop a prospective television series titled Brown-ish, centered on a Latino family narrative.

Additionally, Longoria is both producing and directing the initial two episodes of a Spanish-language remake of the series Call My Agent! tailored for audiences in Latin America and the United States.

In June 2024, the Los Angeles Times spotlighted her in its "L.A. Influential" feature, recognizing her as a creative force making a considerable impact within Los Angeles.

Business and endorsements

In March 2008, Longoria partnered with celebrity chef Todd English to open the Hollywood restaurant Beso. Situated on Hollywood Boulevard, the venue included a Victorian-themed nightclub named Kiss located above the dining area. The Hollywood Beso was intended to be the centerpiece of a VH1 reality show pilot called Beso: Waiting on Fame in 2010. In 2009, Longoria and other investors launched an additional Beso location featuring the nightclub Eve within the Crystals complex in Las Vegas.

Beso LLC, which owned the Las Vegas establishment with Longoria holding a 32% stake and assets valued near $2.5 million, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2011 to reorganize approximately $5.7 million in liabilities. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court mandated Longoria to appear for an inquiry concerning the restaurant’s financial matters.

During 2012 and 2013, Longoria collaborated with Iron Chef Michael Symon to endorse PepsiCo’s Lay’s "Do Us A Flavor" campaign, which rewarded either $1 million or one percent of net sales to the creator of the winning potato chip flavor.

Prior to producing the 2014 film John Wick, Longoria invested $6 million amid funding challenges. Over a decade, she doubled this investment and continues to receive profits from the film’s success, although she does not possess ownership interest in its sequels.

In 2015, she partnered with sportswear company Sunrise Brands to create a women’s clothing line that launched in Fall 2016. Her fashion collection website was introduced in March 2017.

In December 2023, Longoria appeared as a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional held at Walt Disney World.

After being invited by Natalie Portman, Longoria became part of the ownership group for Angel City FC within the National Women's Soccer League in 2020.

In 2021, she joined NX Football USA, LLC’s purchase of a 50% interest in Mexican soccer club Necaxa. This ownership consortium includes former MLS executives alongside celebrities such as Mesut Özil, Shawn Marion, Justin Verlander, and Kate Upton.

In April 2024, investors of Necaxa—including Longoria—expanded their international presence by acquiring a 5% share in Welsh football club Wrexham AFC. This collaboration also involved Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds becoming minority shareholders in Necaxa, establishing a significant transatlantic partnership within global football.

Philanthropy

In 2006, Longoria established Eva's Heroes, a nonprofit organization based in San Antonio dedicated to supporting young adults with developmental disabilities, motivated by her sister’s experience with intellectual challenges.

She acts as the national ambassador for PADRES Contra El Cancer and has contributed to numerous causes such as the Spirit of Women Red Shoe Celebrity Auction, Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, OmniPeace, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, National Stroke Association, Project HOME, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Additionally, Longoria served as executive producer for Shine Global Inc.'s documentary The Harvest, which sheds light on child migrant farmworkers in the United States to advocate for the Children's Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act).

The Eva Longoria Foundation is dedicated to bridging the educational divide affecting Latinas and combating Latino poverty by backing initiatives that empower Latinas academically while offering career development, mentorship, funding, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The foundation provides programs for parental involvement, mentorship, and financial assistance to Latina-led enterprises. Philanthropist Howard Buffett, son of Warren Buffett, is a co-funder of this initiative.

In recognition of her dedication to Latino causes, Longoria was honored as Philanthropist of the Year in 2009 by The Hollywood Reporter. That same year, she helped raise over €20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through her participation on Fort Boyard.

To deepen her knowledge of Latino community issues and enhance her advocacy efforts, Longoria pursued a Master's degree in Chicano studies and political science at Cal State University, Northridge, completing it in 2013.

Also in 2009, she was appointed to a bipartisan commission tasked with creating a National Museum of the American Latino. Reflecting her philanthropic interests in both financial and emotional well-being, she delivered a speech at McAfee Focus 2012 addressing safety beyond technological measures.

In 2017, UK-based Richtopia ranked her 42nd among the 200 Most Influential Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide.

Longoria contributed to the 2019 Special Olympics Texas Summer Games held in San Antonio and supported COVID-19 relief efforts at the San Antonio Food Bank in 2020.

Collaborating with Mott's Fruit Flavored Snacks, she promotes their Snacks and Stories initiative which distributes bilingual books to children in "book deserts," areas where nearly 45% of U.S. children lack access to reading materials.

In March 2024, Longoria was honored with a $50 million Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez for her philanthropic achievements through the Eva Longoria Foundation that advances programs benefiting Latina communities.

Politics

Longoria has been actively involved in immigration matters, including accompanying border patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona to gain insight into multiple viewpoints. She publicly opposed Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration legislation, deeming it unconstitutional. In 2012, she was appointed co-chair for Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and delivered a speech endorsing him at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

In 2014, Longoria founded the Latino Victory Project aimed at financially supporting Latino candidates and increasing voter participation within Latino communities. As executive producer of documentaries such as The Harvest and Food Chains, she advocates for the rights of farmworkers through support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.

Her political endorsements have included figures like Marianne Williamson (2014), Beto O'Rourke (2018), and Colin Allred (2018). She addressed attendees at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, hosted the opening night of the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention, and spoke again at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. In January 2021, she took part in a textbanking campaign aimed at educating Latina voters in Georgia ahead of runoff elections. Texas Monthly has identified her as a possible Democratic candidate for Texas’s Senate race in 2024.

In 2023, Longoria publicly voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war, a stance that attracted criticism over alleged misinformation from various quarters including former friend and beauty industry figure Huda Kattan. Kattan later expressed disappointment regarding Longoria’s unwillingness to engage further on this topic during a December 2024 podcast.

Writing

Longoria released her debut cookbook, Eva's Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends, in April 2011.

Marriages and children

From 2002 until 2004, Longoria was married to actor Tyler Christopher.

In 2004, she met NBA star Tony Parker, became engaged to him in November 2006, and the couple wed in Paris in July 2007. Three years later, in 2010, Longoria found messages from another woman on Parker's phone, prompting her to file for divorce on grounds of "irreconcilable differences." They had signed a prenuptial agreement prior to their marriage. Parker soon filed for divorce as well, leading to a legal dispute over which court had jurisdiction. Ultimately, their divorce was finalized in Texas in January 2011.

Longoria announced her engagement in December 2015 to José Antonio "Pepe" Bastón Patiño, a Mexican businessman who was then president of Televisa, the largest media company in Latin America. The couple wed in Mexico in May 2016.

In December 2017, she revealed her pregnancy and welcomed a son in 2018.

By November 2024, Longoria disclosed that she had relocated her family outside the United States and currently divides her time between Mexico and Spain.

Ancestry

In 2010, research conducted by Harvard professor and Faces of America host Henry Louis Gates Jr. traced Longoria's earliest Spanish immigrant ancestor to her ninth great-grandfather, Lorenzo Suárez de Longoria (born in Oviedo in 1592), who settled in the Viceroyalty of New Spain—present-day Mexico. The surname originates from Llongoria, a village located in Asturias, Spain.

Her seventh great-grandfather received a land grant along the Rio Grande from King Charles III of Spain in 1767. The family maintained ownership of this property for more than a century. After the Mexican–American War, this territory became part of the United States, requiring the family to adapt to new circumstances brought by American settlers following both that conflict and the American Civil War.

Genetic testing reveals that Longoria's heritage consists of approximately 70% European, 27% Indigenous American, and 3% African ancestry. Her mitochondrial DNA falls under Haplogroup A2, linking her maternal lineage to Native American roots—specifically Mayan—predating modern Mexico. Interestingly, she shares this haplogroup with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Longoria identifies as a "Texican"—a Mexican-American native of Texas—and disclosed on Faces of America that she is distantly related to actress Meryl Streep.

Filmography

Longoria's acting career includes over sixty credits across film and television projects.

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Category	Work	Result
ALMA Awards	2002	Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama	The Young and the Restless	Template:Won
	2006	Person of the Year	Herself	Template:Won
	2009	Outstanding Actress in Television - Comedy	Desperate Housewives	Template:Nom
	2012	Outstanding Movie Actress - Drama/Adventure	Cristiada	Template:Nom
	2018	Special Achievement in Film	Herself	Template:Won
Bambi Awards	2005	TV Series International Award	Desperate Housewives	Template:Won
Celebration of Cinema and Television	2023	Breakthrough Director – Film	Flamin' Hot	Template:Won
Daytime Emmy Awards	2021	Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Fiction Program	Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love	Template:Nom
Golden Globe Awards	2006	Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy	Desperate Housewives	Template:Nom
Imagen Awards	2005	Best Actress - Television	Desperate Housewives	Template:Nom
	2007	Best Actress - Television	Desperate Housewives	Template:Nom
	2012	Best Actress - Film	Without Men	Template:Nom
	2016	Best Actress - Television	Telenovela	Template:Nom
	2017	Best Actress - Television	Lowriders	Template:Nom
	2018	Best Actress - Film	Overboard	Template:Won
	2023	Best Feature Film	Flamin' Hot	Template:Won
	2023	Best Director	Flamin' Hot	Template:Won
2025	Best Actress	Land of Women	Template:Nom
2022	Best Documentary	La Guerra Civil	Template:Nom
2005	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series	Desperate Housewives	Template:Won
2006			Template:Won
2007			Template:Nom
2008			Template:Nom
2009			Template:Nom
2025		Only Murders in the Building	Template:Won
2023	Directors to Watch Award	Flamin' Hot	Template:Won
2005	Favorite New TV Drama	Desperate Housewives	Template:Won
2007	Favorite Female TV Star		Template:Won
2011	Favorite TV Comedy Actress		Template:Nom
2012	Favorite TV Drama Actress		Template:Nom
rowspan="2" \|2005 Teen Choice Awards	Choice Breakout Performance – Female	Desperate Housewives	Template:Won
rowspan="3" \| Choice TV Actress: Comedy	Template:Nom
2007 Teen Choice Awards	Template:Nom
2009 Teen Choice Awards	Template:Nom

External links