Nia Long is an American actress and dancer best known for appearing in popular Hollywood films and television series. The actress gained stardom after starring in hit movies such as Boyz n the Hood (1991), The Best Man (1999), and The Big Momma’s House in 2000.
She then became one of the top television actresses by appearing in shows. For example, she starred as “Lisa” Wilkes in the sitcom series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Empire.
Apart from being a TV and film actress, Nia Long is also a music video director and has worked for many artists.
Nia Long Biography
| Name | Nia Long |
| Net Worth | $7 Million |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Annual Salary | $1 Million |
| Profession | Actress |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Early Life
Nia Talita Long was (born October 30, 1970), in Brooklyn, New York. Her father, Doughtry Long, worked as a high school teacher and poet, while her mother, Talita (née Gillman), was a teacher and printmaker. Nia’s older half-sister, Sommore (born Lori Ann Rambough), is a well-known comedian and an actress in the Hollywood film industry.
Her parents got separated and filed for divorce when she was only 2 years old. She and her mother moved to Iowa City, Iowa, and then, at the age of 7, they shifted to South Los Angeles. Her dad resides in Trenton, New Jersey.
Moving on to her education, Long first studied at St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, and then from Grade three to Grade six, she attended Paseo Del Rey Elementary School in California. She finally completed her high school graduation from Los Angeles’ Westchester High School in 1989. After that, Long started taking gymnastics, ballet, tap, jazz, guitar, and acting classes.
Career
In 1986, Nia Long got an opportunity to start her acting career on the Disney Channel’s T.V. film titled The B.R.A.T. Patrol alongside actors like Tim Thomerson, Brian Keith, and Sean Astin. From 1991 to 1994, she came to the limelight when Long started playing the regular role of Katherine “Kat” Speakes in the popular American television opera Guiding Light. That was her first notable role, in which she earned much recognition.
Nia Long debuted as Fingers in the 1990s movie Buried Alive. While appearing in the soap opera Guiding Light, she also played the hit role of Brandi in the drama film Boyz n the Hood in 1991. This role helped her to achieve more fame in the entertainment industry. From 1994 to 1995, Nia Long landed the role of Beulah “Lisa” Wilkes, Will Smith’s girlfriend, on the television sitcom titled The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Long then started playing numerous minor roles in episodes of the T.V. series, including Moesha and E.R. in 1996 and various unsold television pilots such as 1995 Live Shot and 1998sBlack Jaq. From 2001 to 2002, Long landed the recurring role of Andrea Solomon on the legal drama television Judging Amy.
She then gained fame from her appearance as N.Y.P.D. Officer Sasha Monroe on the crime drama series Third Watch aired from 2003 to 2005.
Since then, Long has appeared on several television shows, including Everwood 2005-06, Boston Legal 2006-07, Big Shots 2007-08, The Cleveland Show 2009-010, and many more. Nia Long became one of the cast members of the hit television series Empire 2016, in which she played the role of Giuliana, a Las Vegas club owner. From 2016 to 2017, she starred in 8 episodes of the Empire series.
Moreover, the actress made her appearances in many popular shows such as The Cleveland Show, Chase, House of Lies, The Divide, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Uncle Buck, Dear White People, N.C.I.S.: Los Angeles, Blaze, and the Monster Machines, and blackAF, in 2020.
Besides her work in television series and shows, Long earned much recognition in the film industry.
She began her film career by appearing in the 1991 movie Boyz n the Hood. Then she went on to star in several films, including 1993 Made in America, 1995 Friday, 1997s Love Jones, Hav Plenty, and Soul Food, 1998s Butter, 1999 The Best Man, and In Too Deep, Stigmata, 2000s Boiler Room, Big Momma’s House, 2004s Alfie, 2005s Are We There Yet?, 2006s Big Momma’s House 2, 2008s Gospel Hill, 2013s The Best Man Holiday, 2016s Keanu, 2017s Lemon, 2019s 47 Meters Down: Uncaged, 2020s The Banker, and more.
Awards and Achievements
Nia Long has received so many awards and nominations throughout her acting career. In 2000, she appeared in the film The Best Man, in which she won the Black Reel Awards for Best Actress.
In 2004 and 2005, the actress won two Image Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Television Drama and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. On top of that, in 2005, Long received a BET Comedy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film Alfie.
Personal Life
Nia Long has dated many celebrities at different times, including Shemar Moore, Chris Tucker, 50 Cent, Peter Thomas, Chris Rock, Kendu Isaacs, Chris Webber, and Will Smith.
In 1999, Nia Long and actor Massai Dorsey started dating and got engaged in 2001. However, the two broke up after 10 months of engagement. On November 26, 2000, Long and Dorsey welcomed their first son, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II.
Then, in 2009, Long met Ime Udoka, a former American-Nigerian professional basketball player. They were blessed with a son named Kez Sunday Udoka, born on November 7, 2011. The couple got engaged in May 2015.
Nia Long Net Worth
Nia Long is a prominent American actress and dancer with a net worth of $7 million. She is best known for her roles in popular films such as Boyz n the Hood, The Best Man, and The Big Momma’s House. In addition to her successful career in films and television series, Long has also been a part of several brand endorsements and commercials, including Target. In 2014, she made history as the first black woman to be the face of Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds Fragrance.
Apart from her acting career, Nia Long is also known for her philanthropic work. She is actively involved in social causes and is the motivational speaker for Sterling Children’s Home. She has also been a promoter of PETA, which advocates for animal rights. With her numerous accomplishments and contributions, Nia Long remains one of the most inspiring women in the entertainment industry.
FAQs
Is Nia Long Hispanic?
Nia Long is an African American actress and producer. She was born on October 30, 1970 to Talita Gillman Long and Doughtry Long, both educators and artists. Her mother is of Trinidadian descent, and her family has roots in Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados.
How old was Nia Long when she filmed Love Jones?
Nia Long was 26 years old when she starred in the 1997 romantic comedy Love Jones. In the film, Long plays Nina Mosley, a talented photographer who falls in love with a young Black poet named Darius Lovehall (Larenz Tate)
Is Nia Long from Jamaica?
No, Nia Long is not from Jamaica. She was born on October 30, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York to parents of Afro-Trinidadian descent. Long’s grandmother was from Grenada, and she also has roots in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados
What was the last movie Nia Long played in?
Nia Long’s most recent movie is the 2023 thriller Missing. Long also starred in the 2022 Peacock miniseries The Best Man: The Final Chapters.
How old is Nia Long?
Nia Talita Long was born on the 30th of October 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, she is 53 years old.