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Born · October 30, 1970 (54 years old)
Known For: Acting
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
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.
Katherine Jackson
0.0
2025
Fatima
5.7
2023
Grace
7.4
2023
Jordan Armstrong · (8 episodes)
8.4
2022
Lucy Galloway
6.9
2022
Catherine
8.3
2020
Ellie
5.6
2020
Lavette · (3 episodes)
6.7
2020
Eunice Garrett
7.6
2020
(1 episode)
6.2
2019
Jennifer
5.7
2019
Neika Hobbs · (1 episode)
6.1
2017
Ms. Peggy
6.0
2017
Cleo
4.6
2017
Hillary Whitney
6.1
2017
Cindy Russell · (8 episodes)
5.8
2016
Hannah
6.1
2016
Billie Page · (8 episodes)
7.0
2014
May Miller
6.0
2014
Jordan Armstrong
6.6
2013
Lucy Somers · (1 episode)
7.5
2013
Tamara · (8 episodes)
6.5
2012
Self
2.0
2011
Safiyah
5.1
2011
Self
6.5
2009
Self · (1 episode)
7.3
2009
Roberta Tubbs (voice) · (21 episodes)
5.8
2009
Shay Mosley · (30 episodes)
7.5
2009
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
5.0
2009
(1 episode)
6.6
2008
Mrs. Palmer
4.7
2008
Katie Graham · (11 episodes)
7.0
2007
Suzanne Persons
5.8
2007
Annie
6.3
2007
Sherri
5.8
2006
Suzanne Kingston
5.7
2005
Lonette
5.8
2004
Vanessa Walker · (3 episodes)
7.9
2004
Self · (1 episode)
6.1
2004
Sandra
6.4
2004
Self · (1 episode)
6.0
2004
Self
4.5
2003
Lou
4.8
2002
Cassie · (1 episode)
7.6
2002
(1 episode)
6.0
2000
Sherry Pierce
5.8
2000
Karen
6.6
2000
Abbie Halpert
6.7
2000
Leslie
6.3
2000
Nimi Da Silva
4.7
1999
Jordan Armstrong
6.6
1999
Rae
5.5
1999
Sasha Monroe · (45 episodes)
7.9
1999
Andrea Solomon · (6 episodes)
7.5
1999
Donna Chadway
6.3
1999
Myra
6.4
1999
Carmen Jones
3.2
1998
Robin (Bird)
6.3
1997
Trudy
5.8
1997
Nina Mosley
7.4
1997
Self · (1 episode)
6.4
1996
(2 episodes)
6.8
1996
Ramona Greer · (13 episodes)
0.0
1995
Debbie
7.2
1995
Christy Wilson · (1 episode)
7.8
1994
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
7.1
1993
(1 episode)
8.3
1993
Zora Mathews
5.5
1993
Brandi
7.6
1991
Lisa Wilkes · (16 episodes)
7.9
1990
Fingers
4.0
1989
Darla Perkins
5.6
1986
Darla Perkins · (1 episode)
7.6
1954