Actress Nia Long

Nia Long
Photo of actress Nia Long
Nia Long (born October 30, 1970) is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, and Are We There Yet?   Long was born in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Her family is of Afro-Trinidadian descent. Her name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, which means purpose in Swahili. Long's parents divorced when she was two years old, and she and her mother moved to Iowa City, Iowa. They subsequently moved to a South Los Angeles neighborhood when Long was seven. Long's father currently resides in Trenton, New Jersey. Long's half-sister is comedienne Sommore, one of the stars of The Queens of Comedy. She attended the Roman Catholic school St. Mary's Academy and studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and acting. She graduated from WestchesterHigh School in 1989. Long's acting coach was Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges. Her earliest role was in the Disney television movie, The B.R.A.T Patrol alongside Sean Astin, Tim Thomerson and Brian Keith. Her first notable role on television was a three-year contract role as Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the soap opera Guiding Light. Long portrayed Kat from 1991 to 1994, then f rom 1994 - 1995, she played Will Smith's girlfriend and fiancée Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. In 2003, she joined the cast of the drama Third Watch, where she played NYPD Officer Sasha Monroe, continuing until the series finale in 2005. In 2005 and 2006, Long appeared on Everwood, and appeared on Boston Legal during its 2006-2007 season. Long also starred in Big Shots from 2007-2008 alongside Michael Vartan and Dylan McDermott. She also made a guest appearance on the successful sitcom Living Single during its first season. Long appeared in supporting roles in a number of movies including, Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and Made in America. She played a leading role, or a member of the primary ensemble, in several films, including Soul Food, Love Jones, Boiler Room, Big Momma's House, Are We There Yet?, and The Best Man. Ice Cube has starred with her in four films, while (fellow Westchester High alum) Regina King has starred with her in two. Long was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the World in 2000 by People. She won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2004 for her performance on Third Watch.   In addition to her film credits, she directed Yolanda Adams's music video for "This Too Shall Pass" and co-directed and appeared in Ashanti's music video, "Baby". She also appears in the video for Kanye West's, "Touch The Sky". Long and her former long-time boyfriend and fellow actor Massai Z. Dorsey have a son, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II, born on November 26, 2000.
Place of birth
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Date of birth
30th October 1970
Movies that starred Nia Long (16 in total)
Missing poster

Missing [2023]

You People poster

You People [2023]

Fatima
Life in a Year poster

Life in a Year [2020]

Catherine
The Banker poster

The Banker [2020]

Eunice Garrett
47 Meters Down: Uncaged poster

47 Meters Down: Uncaged [2019]

Jennifer
The Single Moms Club poster

The Single Moms Club [2014]

May Miller
Are We Done Yet? poster

Are We Done Yet? [2007]

Suzanne Persons
Are We There Yet? poster

Are We There Yet? [2005]

Suzanne Kingston
Alfie poster

Alfie [2004]

Lonette
Big Momma's House poster

Big Momma's House [2000]

Sherry Pierce
Boiler Room poster

Boiler Room [2000]

Abbie Halpert
Stigmata poster

Stigmata [1999]

Donna Chadway
In Too Deep poster

In Too Deep [1999]

Myra
Soul Food poster

Soul Food [1997]

Robin (Bird)
Friday poster

Friday [1995]

Debbie
Boyz n the Hood poster

Boyz n the Hood [1991]

Brandi
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