Eve Mauro knew she wanted to be an actress ever since she was young. Her 20-plus-year acting career began with a role as a French maid in a Madonna video, has seen her in roles on television and in movies, and is exploding on the big screen on March 28 in David Ayer’s latest blockbuster, A Working Man, starring Jason Statham.
Eve took some time to chat with Geek News Network about her life, her career, and her role in A Working Man.
“Great” Scott (GNN): Right. So basically, when I interview people, I start my research on the two sources that, of course, are never wrong: IMDb and Wikipedia.
Eve Mauro (EM): Oh yeah, never wrong (laughs)!
GNN: So, let’s see if IMDb is correct…it says you were born in Georgia.
EM: Yeah.
GNN: And then it said you left home at 16 to pursue a career in acting…is that correct?
EM: Yeah. Well, I left home at 16. And I didn’t start acting at 16, but I did leave home at 16. And I moved out of state, was a bartender, and moved back. And then I think I moved to LA to start pursuing my acting career around 19, 20 years old.
GNN: So, when you left home, what was your goal? Was acting the end game, or were you just like, “I just have to get out of here,” and then acting came along?
EM: Well, I’ve always wanted to act. And so first, when I left home, it was just to get out of the house. First, I went to Wisconsin. I was bartending there. It wasn’t really my thing at all. So, I headed back to Florida. I was working at a law firm as an administrative assistant. Yeah. I don’t know how I got that job. And from there, they gave me severance pay. And I think it was like $2,500. And at that time, was a lot of money. And I had planned that I wanted to come to LA. I wanted to be an actress. So, I just bought a one-way ticket, and I had this big blue suitcase without the rollers that you had to pick up. Hey, I wonder if people still know what it felt like to carry those suitcases around, because well, yeah!
GNN: Right. Yeah. For the younger folks reading this article, there was a time when there were no wheels on suitcases!
EM: And yeah, I came out here. And initially, I lived in South Central. I didn’t know it was “South Central” because I rented a room from this lady named Ms. Smith. I found it in this magazine called The Pennysaver. It’s like $400 a month. And she was really nice. A lot of people are renting rooms there. Anyway, before I got an acting agent, I got a modeling agent. And they were like, “Well, where do you live?” And I was like, “I live off Rodeo.” And for anyone who knows this area, it’s actually Rodeo. And that’s South Central. So, there’s “Ro-dee-o,” and “Ro-day-o.” Now it’s called Obama, I believe. But I was like, “Oh, I thought that was the same thing.” And they were like, “No, you live in South Central LA.” I’m like, “Oh, okay.”
GNN: So, one of the questions I have for performers of any sort: comedians, actresses, authors, is about, “backup plans.” When you go out to California, some people are like, “I gave myself five years to make it.” Then there are some people that are like, “No, you won’t succeed if you have a backup plan. It’s all or nothing.” Which one were you?
EM: Yeah. I didn’t think in terms of years or anything. I came out here, and I knew it was what I was going to do. And I didn’t think, “Where’s my backup plan?” I didn’t think it was going to fall through. I don’t know. It’s like you kind of have these blinders on…you just know this is what you’re going to do, and it’s what you’re going to do, and you go towards that.
I also think, sometimes when you have a backup plan, it doesn’t work out because you’re like, “It might not work out.” So, you’re telling yourself, “Oh, well, this is what I’m going to do if it doesn’t work out.” And since then, I’ve been working consistently for 20 years once I got my first job. Different projects, not as big as this one, but it’s still work.
GNN: Yeah, it’s interesting to see how actors sometimes view it as art, or sometimes people view it as just work. It’s also amazing that you went for it with no backup plan. As the son of a very practical father, when I wanted to study English, his first question was, “Okay, what are you going to do with that? Are you going to be a teacher?”
EM: Very practical.
GNN: Exactly, he didn’t want me to risk being a penniless writer. So, that’s amazing that you can have those blinders, like you said.
EM: Yeah, you’re right, because now that I think of it…you were mentioning your father. My father came from Sicily on a boat, right? And he was like– he didn’t even speak a word of English. He’s like, “Yeah, yeah, I learned English through the newspaper on the subway.” He went to New York first. And he didn’t have a backup plan. He came with no money in his pocket. And so that’s how he did it. So maybe that mentality, you want something, just do it. Don’t think about it. Just do it.
GNN: That’s amazing. That’s amazingly brave. Not only moving across the country away from your family, and that wasn’t even with a friend, that was you and the blue suitcase on your own?
EM: Yeah, yeah, the blue suitcase. And now thinking back, I got a car when I was here. But I think if you think the world is kind, it will be kind back to you. And if you’re searching for problems or thinking, “Oh, this might happen,” sometimes it does happen. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. But I think that I just generally think people are great. And then I wind up finding people willing to help and willing to help move along the process of where I need to be.
GNN: So, that line of thinking is perfect for my next question! What was your first…any…kind of job when you got out there? I assume modeling because that was what you started with…is that correct?
EM: Yeah. Well, it was actually– the first modeling job I got, it wasn’t necessarily modeling. I auditioned for a Madonna video and that was the first job. And it was everyone goes to Hollywood, the Hollywood sign, trying to make it in the neighborhood. So, I’m like, “Wow, this is great.” And it was Jean-Baptiste Mondino who directed it. He did Human Nature with Madonna. That video where she’s in a box in leather. In this video, I played a French maid who was really admiring Madonna. And I’d look at her from afar in one scene. I’m rubbing on her legs. And just like this admiration for where she’s at and where I’m at, it kind of– I mean, it was poetic in a way.
GNN: So that was the first job you got? A Madonna video? Wow!
EM: Yeah, the first thing. I know, right? It wasn’t like that always. Let me tell you, I don’t know how much it was. I think it was like $5,000 a day for a two-day shoot. They didn’t use me the first day. And I was so happy. I think for months it paid because not much came after that, but I got that. And then after a couple of months, then the modeling started picking up. But in the end, I never wanted to model. I’m like, “I need to go to acting school.” I needed to train. I needed to do all these things. And that is the only way I could have done that. And yeah, so it worked out. I could say I worked hard, but it was lucky for me.
GNN: So, how did the transition to acting go? I mean, technically, that music video was acting.
EM: Yeah. Well, my modeling gigs weren’t really even modelling…it was like doing stuff and being expressive. That was the transition. I always knew what I wanted to do. They wanted me to go to Milan or do other modelling, and I would turn down things. That’s not really who I am. At one point, I started doing acting school and I was doing a play. I got discovered by a guy named Brian Gersh. He used to represent Jackie Chan and Sean Penn…
GNN: Okay…I’ve heard of them! Sort of popular, those two.
EM: Yeah! They saw me in a play, and then they wanted to start repping me. My modeling agency said pick one, one or the other, acting or modeling. And at the time, I was like, well, that’s a no-brainer for me!
GNN: Yeah. That seems to have been the right path. So, a couple of actors I’ve talked to have said acting is a bunch of rejection with the occasional job. Have you found that to be true?
EM: Yeah, that’s the thing, but I think with each “no,” you just become more resilient and stronger. Sometimes you think you could have done a better job. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do. That’s the nature of the beast, right?
And at first, I think my ego, let me take it personally, but then it’s not really personal. And sometimes when someone says, “no,” when there’s one door shut, you break the whole f***ing wall down. Just break it down!
GNN: Sure. I mean, yeah, that’s the whole no backup plan mentality. I mean, you just go forward, right?
EM: Yeah. Like this movie, I couldn’t have gotten it a better way. David had presented it to me. I did work on the character. We worked together. David Ayer, who wrote Training Day, who wrote Fury. Look at all of these amazing films he’s worked on. And so that was a real honor to be a part of this. And Stallone had written the initial script. And there are some tweaks along the way. And it’s just like this project I’m so proud of it.
GNN: And the movie we’re talking about is A Working Man, starring Jason Statham…and you! It’s coming out on March 28th, A Working Man with Jason Statham. He’s cracking heads and getting revenge for someone or something, I’m sure. Seriously, though, I’ve seen the trailer and he’s working as a construction worker, and they kidnap his boss’s daughter. Can you talk about your role in the movie?
EM: Well, let’s just say…can’t say too much, but let’s just say I am in my villain era right now. So, what happens in one part, he just uncovers that the world is so much more corrupt than he had previously thought going into searching for this girl. And as you see in the trailer, there’s a Russian mob, there’s motorcycle gangs, there’s…I mean, it’s a lot darker than The Beekeeper. I’m going to tell you that. And I’m involved with the whole…we’re all feeding at the same trough, let’s just say.
GNN: Okay. So again, March 28th, A Working Man. Now, it’s funny you say that you’re in your “villain era,” because as I looked at your IMDb page, it’s just a badass chica list of movies where it seems like sometimes you play good and sometimes you play bad. What’s more fun?
EM: Well, I mean, the villain is always more fun. It’s just you’re a character…and playing the villain, how I’ve done it is that I never feel like I’m playing the bad guy because the villain never thinks that they’re the bad guy. It’s like Robin Hood. Just imagine if Robin Hood was told by the king, it’s all about perspective. So, playing that and feeling justified and saying, “Okay, this is why my character did this and this is what I feel.” I think it makes the character so much richer, and going forward and just really knowing your truth, I guess.
GNN: Sure. It’s especially become a bigger debate since the whole Thanos thing. He’s the ultimate, “I’m-doing-the-right-thing-killing-half-the-universe,” right? In his brain, like you say, it’s the right thing. And the villains that are like that versus just the twirl my mustache villains that are bad for bad’s sake, they’re corny. The ones that think they’re doing the right thing, like you said, are definitely more compelling.
EM: I know, I know. And hey, you know what? We’re all villains in someone’s story, right, so.
GNN: Well, 100%. That’s funny. You’re exactly right. So, I have a little more time, so let’s move on to some fun questions. I’m looking at your IMDb page and some of your movies…Sorority Party Massacre, Big Bad Bugs, Zombeo & Juliecula…were these movies as much fun to make as they are to say?
EM: Yes, yes. I mean, so Zombeo and Juliecula were like Romeo and Juliet, but you have the vampires who are beautiful and can sing. And you have the zombies who could dance. And then Zombeo falls in love with Juliecula. And it’s just this like Romeo and Juliet, essentially, for zombies and vampires. So, it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun. And I think going into movies, it’s like, are we going to have a good time doing this? Is this something I want to do? Not everything has to be so serious. And why do I do this? I do this so I don’t have to work 9 to 5, so I can be creative all the time. And I think knowing… there are moments when you’re acting or you go back to your trailer and you’re like, “What do I do for a living?”
GNN: Sure. It’s still hard work. I mean, I’ve been on a few video shoots and it’s been fun, but for you…I mean, I’m sure a lot of standing around and waiting around and a bunch of people are looking at you…it’s still pretty intense, right?
EM: Yeah, yeah, it can be intense, and it depends on the people. But know your place, know your mark, know your lines, be on time. As long as you do your job, everything else is easy. Because I think a lot of people sometimes don’t. They’re late. They don’t know their lines. Not a lot of people, but it does happen. But if you just know what you have to do, then it goes smoothly. And sometimes it doesn’t go smoothly, and everyone knows what they have to do, like life.
GNN: Right. Sure. Sure. Yeah. And I think that’s the thing. Everyone thinks it’s all just champagne and roses, but I think even the fun movies are probably not easy…
EM: Yeah. I mean, everything– I enjoy doing it all, but there are really intense moments. And in life, people can call in to work sick. But as an actor, you’ve got to make sure that you don’t get sick. Because, say the budget is $20,000 that day or maybe more every single day, you don’t show up, they have to rearrange their whole entire day, or they can’t shoot that day, and they lose that entire amount for the budget. So, you have to make sure you’re healthy, make sure you’re prepared, and show up on time. There are so many things that are a higher stress level than, let’s say if you do work a job where you can call someone else in to fill in for your position.
GNN: Right. Right. They were having a debate on a radio show I listen to, talking about how Tom Cruise does his own stunts. And what you said was exactly what one of the guys on the show was saying. It’s great that he does his own stunts, but if he hurts himself, that shuts things down for a day…a week…and nobody can work. So, it’s interesting to hear you say that. Like you said, even if your voice goes out…things can shut down.
EM: Yeah, yeah. When I was filming– we were filming this movie in London. It takes place in Chicago. But some people were like, “Oh, come on. We’re going to do this.” I’m like, “No, no, no.” So, I stayed in. It was a lot of hermit lifestyle going on for three months.
GNN: That would be mind-numbing. So, let’s move on to something else you talked about, how you said you like doing everything…all types of roles. So, dream project, I snap my fingers right now, what would it be? Broadway show? Is it television? Is it a movie? Is it a hero? Is it a villain?
EM: A Quentin Tarantino movie as a villain. I mean, there are no real villains in Tarantino movies, but any character in a Tarantino movie. Yeah. Did he say he was retiring, but maybe he’s coming back, right?
GNN: I remember him wanting to do a Star Trek movie, and then he wanted to retire after his tenth movie…
EM: He’s not retiring! Quentin, we need you!
GNN: Like you said, Quentin’s retirement is just a wall you need to smash through! Make it happen! Now, last question, since this is an interview with Geek News Network. What are you geeking out on right now? Music, movies, TV, you binging anything?
EM: Oh, man. Okay. Ah, what am I geeking out on? I have to really think about that one for a second. I mean, I have been watching something, but I don’t even know if I want to admit it (laughs). All right. You know what? F*ck it. I like it, and I watch it every Sunday, 90-Day Fiancé. I know it’s bad, but the drama in the show is the worst thing ever. And I like serious stuff, but I need to just sit there and laugh and be like, “What is going on with these people?” I like it. I enjoy it. And it’s such a guilty pleasure for me because I never thought me as a person would watch something like that. But these people are totally insane, but I love them.
GNN: Sure. There’s nothing wrong with that. If we’re confessing to cheesy TV, my wife has harangued me into watching all the baking shows on the Food Network…Spring Baking, Holiday Baking, so…
EM: Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah. You’ve got to get on that one, huh?
GNN: Like you said, it’s a guilty pleasure. Okay, one last thing with our last couple of minutes. So, for someone who wants to act…a lot of people who are reading this are content creators of some sort…almost everyone has a TikTok or some sort of project. Can you provide some advice for someone who wants to perform for a living?
EM: For me, as an actor, if you’re not doing reality TV, I think privacy is power. What they don’t know, they can’t destroy. And when you break this wall of imagination and reality, it’s hard to see an actor play a role that isn’t them. You always want them to play themselves. You put out there what people need to see or what they can see and not– it’s not going to change their perspective if they see you in a movie, like, “Oh, that’s not who she is.”
So, I try to keep my personal life kind of private and not really show too much because I think, as an actor, I want to act. I want to be characters. I’m not out here to promote myself as a person. It’s to become a character. To be alive in a movie and to be alive in a fictional world is what I desire to do. As an actress, I think it’s my obligation to keep my personal life restricted from the public.
GNN: Oh, wow. That’s good advice. That’s actually excellent advice. So, I guess the last thing, if people do want to learn more– but I’m sure you’ve got– you’re on Instagram. Anywhere else in social media?
EM: I am just on Instagram. And I think that’s enough for me.
GNN: I also recommend people check out your IMDb page. There are some cool as hell flicks and shows on there. And again, this movie, A Working Man, is coming out on the 28th.
EM: Yeah. And I did look online, some theaters, well, here in Los Angeles and I’m sure in Orlando are doing screenings on the 27th as well. But it’s going to be– it’s so action-packed. It’s a great film. I got to see a screening of it, and it’s a lot darker than The Beekeeper, as I said before, but it’s really something that I’m proud of. And I think people are going to enjoy it.
GNN: And you’re a badass, right, in this.
EM: I am a badass in the movie and in real life. I know I broke that wall a little bit, but it’s okay. It’s okay.
GNN: Well, that’s about it…thanks for your time, Eve!
EM: Thank you so much!
- Great Scotthttps://geeknewsnetwork.net/author/gr8smuller/
- Great Scotthttps://geeknewsnetwork.net/author/gr8smuller/
- Great Scotthttps://geeknewsnetwork.net/author/gr8smuller/
- Great Scotthttps://geeknewsnetwork.net/author/gr8smuller/
