Eva Mendes’ Siblings: Meet Her Sister Janet and Brothers Carlos and Carlo .Linh

Eva Mendes grew up with three siblings — her sister Janet and brothers Carlos and Carlo — in a family who deeply values and celebrates their Cuban roots.

Their parents, Eva Perez Suárez and Juan Carlos Mendez, immigrated to Miami from Cuba. They had Carlos and Janet, before welcoming Eva in 1974. Four years later, their youngest child, son Carlo, was born.

Like his famously private sister, Carlo has made a name for himself in Hollywood. And while Janet didn’t pursue acting like her two younger siblings, she is similar to Eva in that she values her privacy.

In 2016, the siblings lost their older brother, Carlos, who died after having been diagnosed with throat cancer nearly two years prior. In a profile in Latina, Eva opened up about how her brother’s death affected her relationship with Janet and Carlo.

“Losing my brother brought our family closer, and we were already close to begin with. So to just see everybody be there for one another and show up, I feel so lucky to have them,” she told the magazine in 2016.

Here’s everything to know about Eva Mendes’ siblings, Janet, Carlos and Carlo, and their relationship with the Ghost Rider actress.

Eva and her siblings were raised in Los Angeles

Eva is the third oldest of her siblings. She was born on March 5, 1974, in Miami. However, after the birth of Carlo in 1978, and consequently, her parents’ divorce, she and her siblings relocated to Los Angeles with their mother, Eva Perez Suárez. She attended Hoover High School in Glendale, Calif., before enrolling at California State University, Northridge.

Carlo is also an actor

Carlo is a Hollywood veteran whose acting credits date back to 2008. His TV show appearances include Parks and Recreation, Young & Hungry, 9-1-1 and Real Rob. He was a series regular on The Rich and the Ruthless (2017-2021) and The Bay (2013-2023). Most recently, he starred in the 2024 thriller film Demise.

Carlo doesn’t have to look far for inspiration or guidance in his acting career, but he’s proud to say that he’s never name-dropped his sister Eva during an audition or while on set.

“Anytime I’ve ever auditioned or booked something, it’s never been because of her,” he told E! News in April 2024. “And she’s like, ‘Whatever you need, let me know,’ but I want to be great. Because if I’m not good, and she gives me the opportunity, and I blow it…”

He quickly added, “I study hard, I work hard, I know that I can do it. Then eventually, the push will come when the time is ready. You can’t force anything.”

Carlo said acting alongside Eva is on his bucket list

At work, Carlo doesn’t mention his famous sister by name, but he isn’t opposed to collaborating with her on-screen should the opportunity present itself. He told E! News that the seed has been planted, but “the timing has to be right, when she’s ready to get back into acting.”

Carlo has a very close relationship with Eva’s partner

It didn’t take long for Carlo and Eva’s partner Ryan Gosling to bond after Eva introduced the Barbie actor to her family in 2011. “He immediately fit in,” Carlo told E! News. “Ryan is an awesome, funny, down-to-earth guy. I cannot say enough about him, and I’m really learning a lot from him. Just an amazing guy.”

From the start, Gosling embraced the family’s Latin roots and traditions, Carlo told the outlet. “He loves the whole Latin lifestyle, the salsa, the Spanish, the Cuban,” he said. “He loves all that stuff. So, he fit in like a glove.”

Carlo and Gosling also spend quality time together outside of family gatherings. Carlo even accompanied the Fall Guy star to the 2024 SAG Awards. “It was awesome,” Carlo recalled of the experience.

Carlo said Eva is the best mother

In an April 2024 interview with E! News, Carlo praised Eva and Gosling for being “amazing parents” to their two daughters, Esmeralda and Amada.

“They really talk to the girls,” he said. “The way they ask them questions — I’ve seen it — they’re like, ‘What do you think of this? What do you think of that?’ They are awesome.”

Carlo teased that he takes his role as the fun uncle very seriously and is “always joking” with his nieces. As for whether he hopes to have kids of his own one day, Carlo told the outlet, “If it happens, it happens. But I’m not looking forward to it right now.”

Carlos died in 2016 after being diagnosed with cancer

Carlos Mendez died on April 17, 2016, at age 53, after being diagnosed with throat cancer. The news was confirmed on Instagram by Carlo, who shared that his older brother “fought with all his might and power.” Carlos’ legacy is carried on by his son Matthew and daughter Mia.

On what would have been Carlos’ 61st birthday in April 2024, Eva shared a heartfelt Instagram post about her late brother, whose death came just days before the birth of her younger daughter, Amada.

“Oh April… I have such a complicated relationship with you,” she wrote. “Tomorrow would have been my brother’s birthday…in a couple of weeks from now is the day we lost him…but then, the end of April we got the biggest blessing of all, my little girl was born 8 years ago. I hate you April. But I love you more.”

In the comments of Eva’s post, Carlo shared his support, writing, “I still can’t believe it, it’s gonna be 8 years since he passed. Unreal.”