Actor Eva Longoria calls for change in Hollywood

The 49-year-old actor who first found fame on the television drama Desperate Housewives insists that while Hollywood is seen as progressive, it still has a long way to go before there is equality for women and minorities.

"You know, people think Hollywood is a liberal, progressive industry but it's not," she told Grazia magazine.

"It would be great to have gender equity in all positions - we just don't.

"We have fewer female directors and fewer Latinos in front of the camera than we did a couple of years ago.

"So we're actually going in the wrong direction, even though the perception is that we're doing so great."

However, Longoria has faith that Hollywood has the power to change and the power to change the world.

"Women are still not getting the same opportunities as our male counterparts," she said.

"What we do (in the industry) matters - it can change culture and, when you change culture, you can change policy, perception.

"You can change a lot of things with storytelling."

Longoria, mother to five-year-old son Santiago with her husband Jose Baston, said balancing motherhood with her career had been easy.

"People always think it's so hard for me balancing my career and being a mother but it's actually a lot easier because I say no to a lot more things than I used to," she said.

"If something takes away my time from him then it's an easy no.

"He's simplified my life."

Australian Associated Press