Nia Long

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.
    Known for
    Acting
    Place of birth
    Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    Birthday
    10/30/1970
Boyz n the Hood
Boyz n the Hood
7.6
Are We Done Yet?
Are We Done Yet?
5.8
Stigmata
Stigmata
6.3
Friday
Friday
7.2
Gospel Hill
Gospel Hill
4.7
Good Hair
Good Hair
6.5
Buried Alive
Buried Alive
3.9
Big Momma's House 2
Big Momma's House 2
5.8
In Too Deep
In Too Deep
6.4
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy
6.3
Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet?
5.6
Made in America
Made in America
5.5
Alfie
Alfie
5.8
Big Momma's House
Big Momma's House
5.8
Premonition
Premonition
6.3
Love Jones
Love Jones
7.4
If These Walls Could Talk 2
If These Walls Could Talk 2
6.6
Baadasssss!
Baadasssss!
6.4
Boiler Room
Boiler Room
6.7
The B.R.A.T. Patrol
The B.R.A.T. Patrol
5.6
Soul Food
Soul Food
6.3
The Best Man
The Best Man
6.6
Mooz-lum
Mooz-lum
5.1
Held Up
Held Up
5.5
You People
You People
5.7
Butter
Butter
3.2
The Best Man Holiday
The Best Man Holiday
6.6
Sightings: Heartland Ghost
Sightings: Heartland Ghost
4.8
The Secret Laughter of Women
The Secret Laughter of Women
4.7
The Single Moms Club
The Single Moms Club
6
Michael
Michael
0
Keanu
Keanu
6.1
Roxanne Roxanne
Roxanne Roxanne
6
Beaches
Beaches
6.1
Lemon
Lemon
4.6
Life in a Year
Life in a Year
8.3
Hav Plenty
Hav Plenty
5.8
47 Meters Down: Uncaged
47 Meters Down: Uncaged
5.7
Friendly Fire: Making of an Urban Legend
Friendly Fire: Making of an Urban Legend
4.5
The Enduring Significance of 'Boyz n the Hood'
The Enduring Significance of 'Boyz n the Hood'
2
The Banker
The Banker
7.6
Fatal Affair
Fatal Affair
5.6
Missing
Missing
7.4
Look Both Ways
Look Both Ways
6.9
Logo
Nuxt Movies
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