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===Career===
===Career===
For 15 years, Long was instructed by acting coach Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' star [[Todd Bridges]]. Her first notable role was a three-year contract role as Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the [[soap opera]] ''[[Guiding Light]]''. Long portrayed Kat from 1991 to 1994. From 1994 - 1995, she played [[Will Smith]]'s girlfriend and fiancée Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel Air]]''. [[Jada Pinkett-Smith]] was originally supposed to play Lisa, but she was late to auditions, thus leaving Nia to take the part. 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.
For 15 years, Long was instructed by acting coach Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' star [[Todd Bridges]]. Her first notable role was a three-year contract role as Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the [[soap opera]] ''[[Guiding Light]]''. Long portrayed Kat from 1991 to 1994. From 1994 - 1995, she played [[Will Smith]]'s girlfriend and fiancée Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel Air]]''. [[Jada Pinkett-Smith]] was originally supposed to play Lisa, but she was late to auditions, thus leaving Nia to take the part. 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.


She appeared in supporting roles in a number of movies such as ''[[Boyz N the Hood]]'', ''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'', and ''[[Made in America (film)|Made in America]]''. Long played a leading role, or a member of the primary ensemble, in several films, including ''[[Soul Food (film)|Soul Food]]'', ''[[Love Jones]]'', ''[[Boiler Room (film)|Boiler Room]]'', ''[[Big Momma's House]]'', ''[[Are We There Yet?]]'', and ''[[The Best Man (1999 film)|The Best Man]]''. [[Ice Cube]] has starred with her in four films, while [[Regina King]] has starred with her in two. Long starred alongside [[Michael Beach]] in ''Soul Food'' and in the TV series ''Third Watch''.
She appeared in supporting roles in a number of movies such as ''[[Boyz N the Hood]]'', ''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'', and ''[[Made in America (film)|Made in America]]''. Long played a leading role, or a member of the primary ensemble, in several films, including ''[[Soul Food (film)|Soul Food]]'', ''[[Love Jones]]'', ''[[Boiler Room (film)|Boiler Room]]'', ''[[Big Momma's House]]'', ''[[Are We There Yet?]]'', and ''[[The Best Man (1999 film)|The Best Man]]''. [[Ice Cube]] has starred with her in four films, while [[Regina King]] has starred with her in two. Long starred alongside [[Michael Beach]] in ''Soul Food'' and in the TV series ''Third Watch''.
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With regard to being a working mother, she says "she is up for the challenge so long as it does not require disturbing her family's well-being". "If I’m gonna hustle, I want to hustle in one place... I uprooted everything, moved to New York for two years, moved back and it was great but I really, I’m enjoying the stability."<ref>[http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04647726/nia_long_all_grown_up.html Nia Long: All grown up]</ref>
With regard to being a working mother, she says "she is up for the challenge so long as it does not require disturbing her family's well-being". "If I’m gonna hustle, I want to hustle in one place... I uprooted everything, moved to New York for two years, moved back and it was great but I really, I’m enjoying the stability."<ref>[http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04647726/nia_long_all_grown_up.html Nia Long: All grown up]</ref>


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]]. Dorsey and Long were engaged to be married, but ended their relationship. She is currently in a live-in relationship with Kevin Phillips. They reside in [[Los Angeles, California]].<ref> Nia's half sister is famous [[Queens of Comedy]] star [[Sommore]]. [http://www.famoushookups.com/site/celebrity_profile.php?celebid=1987&name=Nia_Long Nia Long Relationship Summary]</ref>
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]]. Dorsey and Long were engaged to be married, but ended their relationship. She is currently in a live-in relationship with Kevin Phillips. They reside in [[Los Angeles, California]].<ref> Nia's half sister is comedienne [[Sommore]]. [http://www.famoushookups.com/site/celebrity_profile.php?celebid=1987&name=Nia_Long Nia Long Relationship Summary]</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
⚫
*''[[Buried Alive (film)|Buried Alive]]'' ([[1990 in film|1990]])
===Film===
⚫
*''[[Boyz n the Hood]]'' ([[1991 in film|1991]])
* ''[[Premonition (2007 film)|Premonition]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Are We Done Yet?]]'' (2007)
*''[[Made in America (film)|Made in America]]'' ([[1993 in film|1993]])
* ''[[Big Momma's House 2]]'' (2006)
*''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'' ([[1995 in film|1995]])
* ''[[Are We There Yet?]]'' (2005)
*''[[Love Jones]]'' ([[1997 in film|1997]])
* ''[[Alfie (2004 film)|Alfie]]'' (2004)
*''[[Hav Plenty]]'' (1997)
* ''[[How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass]]'' (2004)
*''[[Soul Food (film)|Soul Food]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Big Momma's House]]'' (2000)
*''Never 2 Big'' ([[1998 in film|1998]])
* ''[[If These Walls Could Talk 2]]'' (2000)
*''[[In Too Deep (film)|In Too Deep]]'' ([[1999 in film|1999]])
*''[[The Best Man (1999 film)|The Best Man]]'' (1999)
⚫
* ''Sightings: Heartland Ghost'' (2002)
* ''[[Boiler Room (film)|Boiler Room]]'' (2000)
*''[[Stigmata (film)|Stigmata]]'' (1999)
* ''[[The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy]]'' (2000)
*''[[Held Up]]'' (1999)
* ''[[The Secret Laughter of Women]]'' (1999)
*''The Secret Laughter of Women'' (1999)
*''[[The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy]]'' ([[2000 in film|2000]])
* ''[[Held Up]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Stigmata (film)|Stigmata]]'' (1999)
*''[[Boiler Room (film)|Boiler Room]]'' (2000)
* ''[[The Best Man (1999 film)|The Best Man]]'' (1999)
*''[[Big Momma's House]]'' (2000)
* ''[[In Too Deep (1999 film)|In Too Deep]]'' (1999)
*''[[BAADASSSSS!]]'' ([[2003 in film|2003]])
* ''[[Heartland Ghost]]'' (1998)
*''[[The N-Word]]'' ([[2004 in film|2004]]) (documentary)
* ''[[Butter (film)|Butter]]'' (1997)
*''[[Alfie (2004)|Alfie]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Soul Food (film)|Soul Food]]'' (1997)
*''[[Are We There Yet?]]'' ([[2005 in film|2005]])
* ''[[Hav Plenty]]'' (1997)
*''[[Big Momma's House 2]]'' ([[2006 in film|2006]])
* ''[[Love Jones (1997 film)|Love Jones]]'' (1997)
*''[[Premonition (film)|Premonition]]'' ([[2007 in film|2007]])
* ''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'' (1995)
*''[[Are We Done Yet?]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Made in America (film)|Made in America]]'' (1993)
⚫
* ''[[Boyz N The Hood]]'' (1990)
⚫
* ''[[Buried Alive (film)|Buried Alive]]'' (1990)


===Television===
==Television Work==
⚫
*''The B.R.A.T. Patrol'' ([[1986 in television|1986]])
* ''[[Big Shots (TV series)|Big Shots]]'' (2007)
*''[[Guiding Light]]'' (cast member from [[1991 in television|1991]]-[[1993 in television|1993]])
* ''[[Boston Legal]]'' (2007)
*''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'' (cast member from [[1994 in television|1994]]-[[1995 in television|1995]])
* ''[[Third Watch]]'' (2003)
*''Live Shot'' (1995-[[1996 in television|1996]])
* ''[[Black Jaq]]'' (1998)
*''Black Jaq'' ([[1998 in television|1998]]) (unsold pilot)
* ''[[Live Shot]]'' (1995)
* ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'' (1994&ndash;1995)
*''[[If These Walls Could Talk 2]]'' ([[2000 in television|2000]])
⚫
*''Sightings: Heartland Ghost'' (2002)
* ''[[Guiding Light]]'' (1991&ndash;1994)
*''[[Third Watch]]'' (cast member from [[2003 in television|2003]]-[[2005 in television|2005]])
⚫
* ''[[The B.R.A.T. Patrol]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Judging Amy]]'' ([[2002]]?)
*''[[Big Shots]]'' ([[2007 in television|2007]]-[[2008 in television|2008]])


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 18:42, 26 July 2008

Nia Long
Born
Nitara Carlynn Long
Occupation(s)Actress, Director
Partner(s)Massai Z. Dorsey Sr. (2000-2001)
Kevin Phillips
AwardsBlack Reel Award for Best Actress - Theatrical
2000 The Best Man

Nitara Carlynn "Nia" Long (born October 30, 1970) is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House (and sequel), Third Watch, Are We There Yet? (and sequel), .

Biography

Early life

Long was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Talita, a teacher and printmaker, and Doughtry "Doc" Long, a high school teacher and poet.[1][2][3] Her grandparents are from Trinidad and Tobago.[4][5] Her stage name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, which means "purpose" in Swahili. Her parents divorced when Long was two years old, and she and her mother moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where her mother studied fine arts. They subsequently moved to a South Los Angeles neighborhood when Long was seven. Long's father currently resides in New Jersey in the township of Ewing. Long's half sister is comedienne Sommore, star of The Queens of Comedy.

Long attended the Roman Catholic school St. Mary's Academy[6] and studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar and acting. She graduated from Westchester High School in 1989. Due to the lack of employment opportunities in the arts in Los Angeles when Long and her mother first arrived there, Long's mother took various low-paying jobs (despite having two master's degrees). The family suffered through financial struggle for years.

Career

For 15 years, Long was instructed by acting coach Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges. Her first notable role was a three-year contract role as Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the soap opera Guiding Light. Long portrayed Kat from 1991 to 1994. From 1994 - 1995, she played Will Smith's girlfriend and fiancée Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Jada Pinkett-Smith was originally supposed to play Lisa, but she was late to auditions, thus leaving Nia to take the part. 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.

She appeared in supporting roles in a number of movies such as Boyz N the Hood, Friday, and Made in America. Long 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 Regina King has starred with her in two. Long starred alongside Michael Beach in Soul Food and in the TV series Third Watch.

She appears in the video for Kanye West's "Touch The Sky". She directed Yolanda Adams's music video for "This Too Shall Pass". Long was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the World 2000 by People. She also took last place in a poll by the readers of Black Men's Magazine for "The 10 Sexiest Women of the Year" in 2000. She won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2004 for her performance on Third Watch. Long co-directed and appeared in Ashanti's music video, "Baby". She also made a guest appearance on the successful sitcom Living Single during its first season.

Personal life

With regard to being a working mother, she says "she is up for the challenge so long as it does not require disturbing her family's well-being". "If I’m gonna hustle, I want to hustle in one place... I uprooted everything, moved to New York for two years, moved back and it was great but I really, I’m enjoying the stability."[7]

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. Dorsey and Long were engaged to be married, but ended their relationship. She is currently in a live-in relationship with Kevin Phillips. They reside in Los Angeles, California.[8]

Filmography

Television Work

References

  1. ^ http://www.filmreference.com/film/20/Nia-Long.html
  2. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_12_30/ai_61185319/pg_3
  3. ^ BV Entertainment Newswire December 21: Lauryn Hill, Nia Long - AOL Black Voices
  4. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61185319.html
  5. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-23124251.html
  6. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_12_30/ai_61185319
  7. ^ Nia Long: All grown up
  8. ^ Nia's half sister is comedienne Sommore. Nia Long Relationship Summary
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