Eva Mendes' mom was extremely proud to attend the premiere of The Spirit at Hollywood's Mann's Chinese Theatre in December...and not for the reasons you might think.  She just as excited about the actual location of the event than her daughter's role in the movie!

"My mother worked there on weekends… like, in the '80s
when they wore these long, beautiful geisha gowns, and I would go with
her.  She worked at the gift shop and sometimes she'd work in the theatre.  So taking her back the other night to where she used to be an
employee, and taking her as my mother, my date… she's very proud."

That's so sweet. I imagine after revisiting her roots, Eva's mother must feel very blessed to have a daughter who has had such tremendous success. Eva also brought along 15 other family members to the same premiere. That must have been such an experience for all of them!