Nia Long American film and television actress Date of Birth: 30.10.1970 Country: USA

1. Biography of Nia Long
2. Filmography
3. Television Work

Biography of Nia Long

Nia Long is an American film and television actress, as well as a music video director. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of Afro-Trinidadian descent. Her mother, Talita, was a teacher and an engraving artist, while her father, Doc Long, was a middle school teacher and a poet. Her stage name, Nia, is the name of one of the seven days of the African-American festival "Kwanzaa" and means "purpose" in Swahili.

When Nia was two years old, her parents divorced and she and her mother moved to Iowa City, where her mother studied visual arts. When she was seven years old, they relocated to Los Angeles. Nia attended the Roman Catholic school "St. Mary's Academy," where she studied ballet, tap dance, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and performing arts. In 1989, she graduated from Westchester High School. Upon moving to Los Angeles, she and her mother faced financial difficulties, so her mother took on any low-paying job to support the family.

For the past 30 years, Nia's acting mentor has been Betty Bridges. Her first significant role was as Katherine "Kat" Speakes in the soap opera "Guiding Light." She appeared on the show from 1991 to 1994. Following that, she played Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes, the fiancée of Will Smith's character, on the sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Initially, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Will's real-life wife, auditioned for the role but was not selected due to her height, so it went to Nia instead.

In 2003, she joined the cast of the television drama series "Third Watch" and portrayed a New York City police officer until the show ended in 2005. She later appeared in the series "Everwood" and "Boston Legal." In both television shows and feature films, Nia often plays supporting roles.

Nia has also directed music videos for renowned artists such as Kanye West, Yolanda Adams, and Ashanti. In 2000, she was included in People magazine's list of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.

On November 26, 2000, Nia Long gave birth to a son. His father was her boyfriend, actor Massai Dorsey. They were engaged and planned to get married but eventually ended their relationship.

Filmography

• Buried Alive (1990)
• Boyz n the Hood (1991)
• Made in America (1993)
• Friday (1995)
• Love Jones (1997)
• Hav Plenty (1997)
• Soul Food (1997)
• Never 2 Big (1998)
• In Too Deep (1999)
• The Best Man (1999)
• Stigmata (1999)
• Held Up (1999)
• The Secret Laughter of Women (1999)
• The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)
• Boiler Room (2000)
• Big Momma's House (2000)
• BAADASSSSS! (2003)
• The N-Word (2004) (documentary)
• Alfie (2004)
• Are We There Yet? (2005)
• Big Momma's House 2 (2006)
• Premonition (2007)
• Are We Done Yet? (2007)

Television Work

• The B.R.A.T. Patrol (1986)
• Guiding Light (cast member from 1991-1993)
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (cast member from 1994-1995)
• Live Shot (1995-1996)
• Black Jaq (1998) (unsold pilot)
• If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)
• Sightings: Heartland Ghost (2002)
• Third Watch (cast member from 2003-2005)
• Boston Legal Season 3 - 3 episodes (Episodes 11-13)
• Big Shots (2007-2008)