History of Eva Mendes in Timeline
Eva Mendes is an American actress who rose to fame in the late 1990s. Her early career included roles in horror films such as "Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror" (1998) and "Urban Legends: Final Cut" (2000).
1963: Birth of Juan Carlos Méndez Jr.
Eva Mendes's older brother, Juan Carlos Méndez Jr., was born in 1963.
March 5, 1974: Birth of Eva Mendes
On March 5, 1974, Eva Mendes was born in Miami, Florida to Cuban parents.
1978: Birth of Carlo Mendes
Eva Mendes's younger brother, Carlo Mendes, was born in 1978.
1996: Music Video Appearance for Pet Shop Boys
Eva Mendes appeared in the music video for "Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)" by the Pet Shop Boys in 1996.
1997: Music Video Appearance for Aerosmith
Mendes made an appearance in the music video for Aerosmith's song "Hole in My Soul" in 1997.
1998: Film Debut and Early Career Choices
After being discovered by a talent manager, Mendes made her film debut in "Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror" in 1998. She continued to take on roles in comedies like "A Night at the Roxbury" to gain experience.
1998: Early Acting Roles
Eva Mendes began her acting career in 1998, appearing in films like "Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror" and "A Night at the Roxbury".
1998: Music Video Appearances for Will Smith and The Strokes
In 1998, Mendes appeared in Will Smith's music video for his hit single "Miami."
1998: Featured in Will Smith's "Miami"
Mendes was featured in Will Smith's single "Miami," released in 1998.
1999: Role in "My Brother the Pig"
Mendes appeared in the fantasy family film "My Brother the Pig" in 1999, which also starred a young Scarlett Johansson.
2000: Continued Work in Horror and Thriller
In 2000, Mendes appeared in the horror film "Urban Legends: Final Cut," continuing to build her filmography.
2000: Building a Diverse Filmography
Mendes appeared in "Urban Legends: Final Cut" in 2000, further diversifying her early filmography.
2001: Breakthrough with "Training Day"
Eva Mendes's performance in the 2001 film "Training Day" alongside Denzel Washington marked a turning point in her career, leading to more prominent roles.
2001: Gaining Recognition and a Breakthrough Role
Mendes appeared in the action thriller "Exit Wounds" and her breakthrough role in "Training Day" in 2001, marking a turning point in her career.
2002: Ranked 54th on Maxim's Hot 100 List
Mendes was ranked 54th on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list in 2002.
2002: Relationship with George Augusto Begins
Eva Mendes and music producer George Augusto began dating in 2002.
2002: Exploring New Genres
Mendes starred in the crime comedy "All About the Benjamins" in 2002.
2003: Working with Established Names
In 2003, Mendes starred in four studio films, including the action film "2 Fast 2 Furious" and the Western "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," working alongside established actors like Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Antonio Banderas, and Salma Hayek.
2003: Reuniting with Denzel Washington and Exploring Comedy
Mendes reunited with Denzel Washington for the thriller "Out of Time" and starred in the comedy "Stuck on You" with Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear in 2003.
2003: Commercial Successes and Diverse Roles
Mendes starred in commercially successful films like "2 Fast 2 Furious" and took on diverse roles in films like "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" and "Stuck on You" in 2003.
2004: Music Video Appearance for The Strokes
Eva Mendes made an appearance in the music video for "The End Has No End" by The Strokes in 2004.
2004: Ranked 80th on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women List
Mendes was ranked 80th on FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list in 2004.
2005: Revlon Spokesperson
Eva Mendes was chosen as an international spokesperson for Revlon in 2005 and took part in their campaign to raise funds for breast cancer research.
2005: Leading Roles and Critical Praise
Mendes had a leading role in the commercially successful romantic comedy "Hitch" in 2005 and also starred in "The Wendell Baker Story" and "Guilty Hearts," receiving positive reviews for her performance in "Hitch."
2005: Critical Acclaim for "Hitch"
Mendes received praise for her role in the romantic comedy "Hitch" (2005), with critics noting her chemistry with co-star Will Smith.
2005: Ranked 12th on Maxim's Hot 100 List and 23rd on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women List
Mendes secured the 12th spot on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list in 2005 and also earned the 23rd position on FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list.
2006: Starring in a Romantic Comedy
Mendes starred in the romantic comedy "Trust the Man" alongside an ensemble cast, including David Duchovny, Billy Crudup, Julianne Moore, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, in 2006.
2006: Ranked 44th on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women List
Mendes was ranked 44th on FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list in 2006.
December 2007: PETA Campaign Feature
In December 2007, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) used a nude photo of Mendes for their anti-fur campaign.
2007: Ranked 7th on Maxim's Hot 100 List
In 2007, Mendes was ranked 7th on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list.
2007: Diverse Roles in Blockbusters and Indie Films
In 2007, Mendes appeared in the commercially successful comic book film "Ghost Rider" and took on a role in the thriller "We Own the Night." She also starred in the less-seen films "Live!" and "Cleaner" and made an uncredited cameo in "Knocked Up."
2007: Exploring Different Genres
Mendes starred in the comic book adaptation "Ghost Rider" and ventured into more dramatic territory with films like "We Own the Night" in 2007.
2008: Ranked 7th on Maxim's Hot 100 List
For the second year in a row, Mendes held the 7th position on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list in 2008.
2008: From Comic Book Films to Ensemble Comedies
In 2008, Mendes appeared in the comic book film "The Spirit" and the ensemble comedy "The Women," showcasing her range.
2008: Rehabilitation Stay at Cirque Lodge
In 2008, Mendes checked into the Cirque Lodge Rehabilitation Centre, a facility in Utah known for its celebrity clientele, to address personal struggles related to drugs and alcohol.
2008: Campari Calendar and Controversial Calvin Klein Advertisement
Mendes became a spokesmodel for the 2008 Campari calendar. During the same year, she appeared nude in a print advertisement for Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession perfume, sparking controversy as U.S. network executives deemed the ad too provocative for television broadcast.
2008: Navigating Critical and Commercial Success
Mendes starred in the commercially successful but critically panned comedy "The Women" and the comic book adaptation "The Spirit" in 2008, experiencing both positive and negative reception for her work.
2009: Critically Acclaimed Role in "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans"
Mendes's performance in the 2009 crime drama "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" earned critical acclaim, despite the film's limited theatrical release.
2009: Ranked 1st on AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women List
Eva Mendes claimed the top spot on AskMen.com's "Top 99 Most Desirable Women" list in 2009.
2009: Critical Acclaim for a Challenging Role
Mendes's performance as a prostitute in the crime drama "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in 2009 earned her critical acclaim, showcasing her acting range.
2010: Performance of "Pimps Don't Cry"
Eva Mendes showcased her musical talents in 2010 by singing "Pimps Don't Cry" for the film The Other Guys. She also collaborated with CeeLo Green on a duet of the same song.
2010: Ranked 11th on Maxim's Hot 100 List
In 2010, Mendes was ranked 11th on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list.
2010: Balancing Comedy and Drama
Mendes balanced her acting repertoire in 2010, starring in the action-comedy "The Other Guys" and the romantic drama "Last Night."
2010: Choosing Roles and Collaborating with Female Directors
Mendes starred in the comedy "The Other Guys" and made a conscious decision to take on a complex role in the romantic drama "Last Night" after connecting with the film's female director, Massy Tadjedin, in 2010.
September 2011: Relationship with Ryan Gosling Begins
Shortly after working together on the film The Place Beyond the Pines, Mendes and co-star Ryan Gosling began dating in September 2011.
2011: Recording of "The Windmills of Your Mind"
Mendes recorded a version of "The Windmills of Your Mind" in 2011.
2011: Cameo in Fast Five and Reprising Role
In 2011, Eva Mendes made a cameo appearance in the film Fast Five, reprising her role from the previous installment, 2 Fast 2 Furious.
2011: Recognized as One of People's Most Beautiful at Every Age
Mendes received recognition from People magazine as one of 2011's "Most Beautiful at Every Age."
2011: Brand Endorsements and Catalog Appearance
In 2011, Eva Mendes expanded her portfolio by becoming the face of several prominent brands, including Calvin Klein, Magnum, and Cocio (a chocolate milk brand). Her influence extended to promoting Thierry Mugler's Angel fragrance, Reebok shoes, and Pantene shampoo. Furthermore, she graced the pages of a Peek & Cloppenburg clothing catalog.
2011: Breakup with George Augusto
Eva Mendes and George Augusto ended their relationship in 2011 after dating for nine years.
October 2012: The Place Beyond the Pines and Documentary Appearance
In October 2012, Mendes starred in the drama The Place Beyond the Pines alongside Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper. The film received critical acclaim, with Mendes' performance praised by Entertainment Weekly. That same month, she appeared in the PBS documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, highlighting her trip to Sierra Leone.
2012: Further Film Appearances
Eva Mendes continued to appear in films, including "The Place Beyond the Pines" and "Girl in Progress" in 2012.
2012: Starring Roles in Girl in Progress and Holy Motors
In 2012, Mendes took on leading roles in two films: the dramedy Girl in Progress, where she played a single mother, and the art fantasy drama Holy Motors, in which she portrayed Kay M, a role initially intended for Kate Moss. Her performance in Girl in Progress garnered her an ALMA Award nomination.
February 2013: Launch of Eva by Eva Mendes Fashion Line
Mendes partnered with New York & Co. to launch her own fashion line, Eva by Eva Mendes in February 2013.
2013: Appearance in HBO's Clear History
Eva Mendes took on a role in the HBO comedy film Clear History in 2013, portraying a character who had previously been overweight.
2014: Birth of First Daughter
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling welcomed their first daughter in 2014.
2014: Last Film Appearance
Eva Mendes has not appeared in a film since 2014.
2014: Starring in Lost River and Retirement from Acting
In 2014, Mendes starred in Lost River, a film directed by Ryan Gosling, marking his directorial debut. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section. Following her role in Lost River, Mendes made the decision to step back from acting, effectively retiring from the film industry.
2015: Launch of CIRCA Beauty Makeup Line
Eva Mendes entered the beauty industry in 2015 by founding CIRCA Beauty, a makeup brand that debuted exclusively at Walgreens, with Mendes serving as the creative director.
2016: Death of Juan Carlos Méndez Jr.
In 2016, Eva Mendes's brother, Juan Carlos Méndez Jr., passed away from throat cancer.
2016: Birth of Second Daughter
In 2016, Mendes and Gosling's family expanded with the birth of their second daughter.
2022: Explanation for Retirement from Acting
In 2022, Mendes addressed her decision to retire from acting, expressing her frustration with the limited opportunities available to her as a Latina actress a decade prior. She acknowledged the positive changes in the industry but indicated her current focus on her family life.
2022: Marriage Confirmation
Mendes confirmed that she and Ryan Gosling had officially tied the knot in 2022.