Ten Things You Never Knew About Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes was last in cinemas just three months ago in oestrogen-fuelled comedy The Women. If you're anticipating a long wait for a new Eva offering then fear not, because 2009 kicks off with the actress playing the vampy Sand Saref in blockbuster The Spirit. Starting the year with a slice of sterling cinema looks unlikely, though, with one reviewer saying that the movie is riddled with "silly acting and overripe dialogue" and describing Eva as a "one-note temptress". Read below to find out ten fast facts about The Spirit's sexy (if beleaguered) leading lady.

1. Eva's strict Catholic upbringing almost resulted in her becoming a nun. She says: "I did want to be a nun when I was very little. Well, that was until my sister told me that they don't get paid. Then, I went off the idea really quickly."

2. One early job for Eva was selling hot dogs at 'Hot Dog On A Stick' in Glendale, California.

3. Eva's idol growing up was supermodel Cindy Crawford.

4. A regular feature in mid-'90s music videos, Eva appeared in promos for Will Smith (and later starred opposite him in Hitch), the Pet Shop Boys and Aerosmith before she made her film debut in the unmissable Children Of The Corn V: Fields Of Terror.

5. An all-action fan of the great outdoors, Eva's hobbies are said to include hiking, biking, skiing, and mountain climbing.

6. Denzel Washington is obviously a big fan of Eva, having her play his partner in two of his films, Training Day and Out Of Time.

7. Eva herself admits to having a bit of a thing for a famous British actress. "I'm obsessed with Keira Knightley," she says. "I think that she's just got it down. She takes chances, she's edgy, but she's always a lady. She is so unconventionally beautiful."

8. Eva has written a children's book called Crazy Leggs Beshee and based the nervous and clumsy title character on herself.

9. Eva is in a long-term relationship with filmmaker George Gargurevich.

10. As a spokeswoman for PETA, Eva has had no qualms about shedding her clothes for the animal rights activists. She would, however, like to cheer up Morrissey by posing naked with him for the anti-fur group. "I really want to do a PETA ad with Morrissey. I'd be happy to do it naked if need be," she says. "I've done a lot of work with them and I know Morrissey is a big supporter of PETA, so here's hoping!"