Eva Longoria | 120

Eva Longoria is widely acclaimed for her role as Gabrielle Solis in the hit TV series Desperate Housewives. While people expect her to be like her on-screen character, in reality, she is the polar opposite. The actress spent her high school years working at Wendy’s while studying at the same time, developing a strong work ethic. Not so long ago, she also attended Cal State Northridge University, where she earned her master’s degree in Chicano Studies. Before that, Longoria studied at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and got her Bachelor’s in kinesiology. Her remarkable thesis was titled “The Value of Latinas in STEM Careers.”

While people are so surprised by how smart or articulate she is, Longoria once shared in an interview that it’s important for her to have someone to look up to and emulate, so she wanted to become a role model to others as well by completing her education despite the challenges.