Eva Mendes, born on March 5, 1974 in Miami, Florida, is an American actress, model, and businesswoman of Cuban descent. Raised in Los Angeles, California, Mendes decided to pursue acting after graduating from Herbert Hoover High School, despite having studied marketing in college. She got her breakthrough role when she appeared in the film Training Day (2001) alongside Denzel Washington, which catapulted her into Hollywood's spotlight and set the stage for her following successful acting career. Mendes's acting prowess was further recognized with her roles in commercially successful films such as 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Hitch (2005), and The Other Guys (2010). Her performances have been lauded for their depth and versatility, enabling her to portray a wide range of characters across various genres. Besides acting, Mendes also made her mark in the fashion industry. She has been the face of several international brands and launched her own line of bed linens and dinnerware in collaboration with Macy's Department Store in 2008. Off-screen, Mendes is known for her philanthropy work. She has worked closely with several charitable organizations, including Art of Elysium, which offers therapy to hospitalized children through art. In 2012, she became the spokeswoman for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month for the charity Pearl of Wisdom. Additionally, Mendes stepped back from acting in 2014 to focus on her family life with partner Ryan Gosling and their two daughters. Despite her absence from the screen, Mendes continues to influence the entertainment and fashion industries, demonstrating her multifaceted talents and dedication to her craft.