Eva Longoria

Corpus Christi is a long way away from the glamour of Hollywood, but the sexy Texas native Eva Longoria didn't let that stop her. By combining her beauty and wits with an insatiable ambition, Longoria has been able to fight her way into the ranks of the Hollywood elite. Born March 15, 1975 and the youngest of four sisters, Longoria says that she had always wanted a career in acting, but for the first part of her life she took the safe route. After high school she attended Texas A&M, where she earned a degree in kinesiology.

Although she had initially intended to pursue a career in science after graduation, Eva found herself still desiring a career in the arts. She began to enter local beauty pageants, and in 1998 she won 'Miss Corpus Christi.' Immediately after her win, Longoria was spotted by an agent, who saw her potential and signed her. Eva moved to LA and earned a spot in the acclaimed play What the Rabbi Saw, and shortly thereafter landed an appearance on 'Beverly Hills 90210.' Then, in 2001, she had the break she needed. She was given a spot on 'The Young and the Restless' as Isabella Williams.

Her new role helped her make a move into film, but her first major movie, 2003's Snitch'd, did not immediately help her to win over audiences and critics. Eva continued to pound the pavement for the role that would permanently place her on the map. It came in the form of the variety show 'Hot Tamales Live: Spicy Hot and Hilarious,' which she not only starred in but also co-produced. The program aired on pay-per-view and was the first of many big steps toward her current super stardom. In 2003 she left 'The Young and the Restless' and took a part on the television show 'Dragnet.' Unfortunately the show was canceled shortly after airing. Despite the setback of 'Dragnet,' Longoria was only months away from getting the best news of her career. In 2004, she auditioned for and won the role of the infamously promiscuous and unsatisfied housewife, Gabrielle Solis, on the award winning ABC program, 'Desperate Housewives.'

Since the airing of the suburban sensation, Longoria has earned a spot on the Hollywood A-list for her work on the show and a constant spot in the tabloid headlines for her life outside it. She was married to 'General Hospital' hunk Tyler Christopher and dated NSYNC star JC Chasez. Most recently she has managed to find herself a daily item in the gossip columns because of her relationship with Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs.

Although her private life does keep her in the public eye, it is the consistent recognition of her abilities as an actress that keeps her on top. In 2004, Longoria was nominated for an Emmy Award, and in 2005 she earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actress. Although she lost both of her nods, she did win a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2005 as a member of the cast of 'Desperate Housewives.' Whatever setbacks Longoria has experienced in her career, she is smart enough to take them in stride. 'It can go away tomorrow,' Longoria says of her success. 'So it's all about enjoying the ride.'