Nia Long is a stunning pop culture icon, Hollywood leading lady, and three-time NAACP award winner. She returns to the big screen in the highly anticipated Universal Pictures sequel The Best Man Holiday, alongside original castmates Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, and Harold Perrineau.
Early this year, Long joined the all-star cast of Showtime's "House of Lies" as "Tamara," a business school classmate and former flame of Marty's, played by Don Cheadle.
Nia Long made her film debut in the poignant film Boyz n the Hood, and continued to star in Friday, Love Jones, Soul Food, Alfie, The Best Man, Are We There Yet?, Big Momma's House 1 & 2, Stigmata, and Made in America.
On the small screen, Long's portrayal of "Officer Sasha Monroe" on NBC's hit crime drama "Third Watch" awarded her two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Drama series. She also appeared on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Boston Legal," "Judging Amy," and "Big Shots."
Making her directorial debut on Ashanti's music video "Baby" and Yolanda Adam's "This Too Shall Pass," Nia continues her work behind the camera and is developing a feature film that centers on renowned world champion boxer and trainer Ann Wolfe.
In addition to her film and TV work, Long's passion lies in serving her community. With her family roots planted in Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados, Long's long-term goals are to connect women in the US to those of the islands and to mentor young girls to regain their self-esteem.
Nia was born in Brooklyn to Talita (Gillman),a teacher and printmaker, and Doughtry Long, a high school teacher and poet. She now calls Los Angeles home where she lives with her two sons, Massai and Kez, and partner Ime Udoka, an Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs.
Long loves to cook organic farmers market fresh meals adding a twist of her Trinidadian heritage. When she's not juggling between her career and motherhood, she enjoys staying active by doing pilates, boxing, hiking, and horseback riding. Long also finds pleasure in traveling and experiencing different cultures throughout the world, with Jamaica being one of her favorite locations to visit.
