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Nia Long

February 12, 2011 by · Comments Off on Nia Long 

Nia Long, 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, United States Talita, a teacher and writer, and Doughtry “Doc” Long, high school teacher and poet. His family is Afro-Trinidadian. His name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, which means purpose in Swahili. Long parents divorced when she was two, and she and her mother moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where her mother studied fine arts. They then moved into a neighborhood south of Los Angeles when a length of seven years, where her mother was supposed to marry. The marriage was annulled, but Talita fell in love with Los Angeles and they stayed. Long father now lives in Trenton, New Jersey. Long half-sister is actress Sommore, one of the stars of The Queens of Comedy.

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

Long was coach Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges? His role was earlier in the telefilm Disney, The BRAT Patrol alongside Sean Astin, Brian Keith and Tim Thomerson. His first notable role on television was a three-year contract role as Kathryn “Kat” Speaker 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 was too short for the role (in front of a Smith 6’2 “Will), leaving Nia to take part. In 2003, she joined the cast of drama Third Watch, where she played NYPD Officer Sasha Monroe, continuing until the final series in 2005. In 2005 and 2006, long appeared on Everwood, and has appeared on Boston Legal during its 2006-2007 season. Long has also played in Big Shots from 2007 to 2008 alongside Michael Vartan and Dylan McDermott.

Long has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films such as Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and Made in America. Long played a leading role, or a member of the primary, in several films, including Soul Food, Love Jones, boiler, Big Momma’s House, Are We There Yet? And the best man. Ice Cube played with her in four films, while Regina King played with it in two. Long Beach starred alongside Michael in Soul Food and in the television series Third Watch.

Long appears in the video for Kanye West “Touch The Sky”. She directed the music video for Yolanda Adams’ This Too Shall Pass. ” Long was voted one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World 2000 by People. She won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in 2004 on Third Watch. Long co-directed and appeared in the video Ashanti “Baby”. She also made an appearance in the hit sitcom unique life during her first season. She then made contact with Gina Wilson, because she wanted to become an actress too.

Created with budding stars Larenz Tate and Nia Long, and nearly 15 years later we’re still jonesin ‘for the film that would be a definitive portrait of black love. Written and directed by Theodore Witcher, Love Jones was the first in a series of movies in the late 90’s to represent young black professionals in their quest for love and the American dream. Here are 25 reasons We Love
Nia Long was “house-sitting” the apartment dopest ever.

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