Alvarez informed Longoria that they were distant relatives; both had lived in Kingsville and both graduated from Texas A&I (and Texas A&M) University-Kingsville and both are ninth generation Texans.
“I told her that I was from Kingsville, and she said, ‘no way,’” Alvarez said Monday.
Alvarez was one of 400 people who lined up to meet Longoria at a special signing of her book, “Eva’s Kitchen: Cooking With Love for Family and Friends,” April 9 in a store in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Alvarez said Longoria’s great-grandfather and his great-grandfather were brothers who lived in Encino and La Gruella, Texas, in the 1830s.
Alvarez, a retired educator, graduated from H.M. King High School in 1965 and Texas A&I University in 1968. After he received a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin University in 1970, he moved to California. He worked as an educator for 37 years, until his retirement in 2006. Three years ago, Alvarez established a scholarship for students at Kleberg Elementary School, and this year he established a scholarship at H.M. King High School. He still has family here and attends family and community reunions in Kingsville.
Longoria graduated from Miller High School in Corpus Christi. She graduated from Texas A&M University- Kingsville in 1998 and was named Miss TAMUK. She was recognized as a TAMUK distinguished alumni in 2005. Longoria was also selected Miss Corpus Christi USA, and that led her to a beauty contest in Los Angeles where she was spotted and signed by a theatrical agent. Her acting career and popularity soared when she landed the part of Gabrielle Solis in the television series “Desperate Housewives.”
Alvarez said Longoria continues to be a success because she is not only an actress, but also a producer, philanthropist, businesswoman, author and advocate for education.
“She is an excellent public relations person,” Alvarez said. “There is depth in her character and she demonstrates substance in what she says.”
Alvarez said he complimented Longoria on her recent one-hour interview with Piers Morgan.
“She told me she appreciated hearing my comments,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez and his family live in Huntington Beach, Calif.
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