Actress Eva Longoria, right, is interviewed by Mariana Atencio of Univision on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 6, 2012.
U.S. actress Eva Longoria is among the speakers who will take center stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Thursday, prior to President Barack Obama's keynote address.
Longoria is a national co-chair of President Obama's re-election campaign. In announcing its selection of Longoria and 34 other co-chairs, the campaign said they would offer advice and help engage voters.
Longoria is best known for her role as Gabrielle Solis on the television comedy-drama Desperate Housewives.
She is also the founder of the Eva Longoria Foundation, an organization that helps Latinos with educational and entrepreneurial endeavors.
The daughter of Mexican-Americans, Longoria is one of several Latinos to be prominently featured at the Democratic convention. On Tuesday, San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro became the DNC's first Latino keynote speaker. On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was among those who spoke.
In a Thursday interview on the NBC television network, Longoria quipped there would be "no empty chairs" during her Thursday speech - a reference to last week's speech by actor Clint Eastwood at the Republican National Convention. During his speech, Eastwood talked to an empty chair, pretending it was President Obama.
Photo Gallery: Democratic National Convention 2012
The 2012 Democratic National Convention
1/21President Barack Obama waves after his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 6, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2/21Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama wave to the delegates at the conclusion of President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, September 6, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
3/21President Barack Obama and First lady Michelle Obama joined by their children Sasha, left, and Malia walks across the stage after President Obama's speech to the Democratic National Convention.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
4/21U.S. President Barack Obama (L) embraces former President Bill Clinton onstage after Clinton nominated Obama for re-election during the second session of Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
5/21U.S. President Barack Obama (L) joins former President Bill Clinton onstage after Clinton nominated Obama for re-election during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
6/21Former President Bill Clinton addresses the Democratic National Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
7/21First Lady Michelle Obama waves after addressing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 3, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
8/21Delegates cheer as First lady Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
9/21Delegates recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the Democratic National Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
10/21A woman records the invocation at the Democratic National Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
11/21Delegates await the start of the first day of the convention, September 4, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
12/21A group of third grade students rehearse saying the Pledge of Allegiance ahead of the first day of the convention in Time Warner Cable Arena, September 4, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
13/21Advertisements for the DNC line the walls at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
14/21Protesters block an intersection near the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina for several hours while surrounded by police who allow the demonstration to continue, September 4, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
15/21Delegates tour the floor ahead of the convention, September 3, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
16/21Programs laid out for guests inside the convention center. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
17/21The Charlotte, North Carolina skyline seen through the window of an airplane, September 2, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
18/21President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina tours the floor at the Democratic National Convention, September 3, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
19/21Delegates and Democratic National Convention visitors crowd one of the merchandise stores in Charlotte, September 3, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
20/21Delegates await the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention, September 4, 2012.
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
21/21A 15-ton sand sculpture of President Obama is on display outside the convention. The sand comes from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (J. Featherly/VOA)
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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