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Nia Long

Acting

Nia Long

Nia Long is an actress born on October 30, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. She is known for Michael, Big Momma's House and Boyz n the Hood. GloboWatch shows where to watch 2 of her movies and TV shows, country by country.

Known for
Acting
Born
October 30, 1970
Place of birth
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Also known as
Nitara Carlynn Long · Nia Talita Long

Biography

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.

Filmography

  1. 2026Michaelas Katherine Jackson
  2. 2025Number One on the Call Sheetas Self · 1 episode
  3. 2023You Peopleas Fatima
  4. 2023Missingas Grace
  5. 2022The Best Man: The Final Chaptersas Jordan Armstrong · 8 episodes
  6. 2022Look Both Waysas Lucy Galloway
  7. 2020Life in a Yearas Catherine
  8. 2020Fatal Affairas Ellie Warren · Producer
  9. 2020#blackAFas Lavette · 3 episodes
  10. 2020The Bankeras Eunice Garrett
  11. 201947 Meters Down: Uncagedas Jennifer
  12. 2017Dear White Peopleas Neika Hobbs · 1 episode
  13. 2017Roxanne Roxanneas Ms. Peggy
  14. 2017Lemonas Cleo
  15. 2017Beachesas Hillary Whitney
  16. 2016Uncle Buckas Cindy Russell · 8 episodes
  17. 2016Keanuas Hannah
  18. 2015Empireas Giuliana · 8 episodes
  19. 2014The Divideas Billie Page · 8 episodes
  20. 2014The Single Moms Clubas May Miller
  21. 2013The Best Man Holidayas Jordan Armstrong
  22. 2012House of Liesas Tamara · 8 episodes
  23. 2009Good Hairas Self
  24. 2009The Cleveland Showas Roberta Tubbs (voice) · 21 episodes
  25. 2009NCIS: Los Angelesas Shay Mosley · 30 episodes
  26. 2008Gospel Hillas Mrs. Palmer
  27. 2007Big Shotsas Katie Graham · 11 episodes
  28. 2007Are We Done Yet?as Suzanne Persons
  29. 2007Premonitionas Annie
  30. 2006Big Momma's House 2as Sherri
  31. 2005Are We There Yet?as Suzanne Kingston
  32. 2004Alfieas Lonette
  33. 2004Boston Legalas Vanessa Walker · 3 episodes
  34. 2004Baadasssss!as Sandra
  35. 2002Sightings: Heartland Ghostas Lou
  36. 2002Everwoodas Cassie · 1 episode
  37. 2000Big Momma's Houseas Sherry Pierce
  38. 2000If These Walls Could Talk 2as Karen
  39. 2000Boiler Roomas Abbie Halpert
  40. 2000The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedyas Leslie
  41. 1999The Best Manas Jordan Armstrong
  42. 1999Held Upas Rae
  43. 1999Third Watchas Sasha Monroe · 45 episodes
  44. 1999Judging Amyas Andrea Solomon · 6 episodes
  45. 1999Stigmataas Donna Chadway
  46. 1999In Too Deepas Myra
  47. 1998Butteras Carmen Jones
  48. 1997Soul Foodas Robin (Bird)
  49. 1997Hav Plentyas Trudy
  50. 1997Love Jonesas Nina Mosley
  51. 1996Moeshaas Babysitter · 2 episodes
  52. 1995Fridayas Debbie
  53. 1994ERas Christy Wilson · 1 episode
  54. 1993Living Singleas Stacey · 1 episode
  55. 1993Made in Americaas Zora Mathews
  56. 1991Boyz n the Hoodas Brandi
  57. 1990The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airas Claudia · 16 episodes
  58. 1989Buried Aliveas Fingers
  59. 1986The B.R.A.T. Patrolas Darla Perkins
  60. 1954The Wonderful World of Disneyas Darla Perkins · 1 episode