Nia Long
Biography
Nia Long is an American actress. She was born on October 30, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York. Her family is of Afro-Trinidadian descent. Long's name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, meaning purpose in Swahili. She has appeared in numerous films and television series. Long's known credits include 83 acting roles. She has also directed music videos occasionally. Long is known for her roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch television series, as well as films such as Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, and Are We There Yet. Long has a significant presence on social media, with millions of followers on Instagram.
Career overview
Nia Long is an American actress known for her work in film and television. She has appeared in a number of notable projects, including the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch. Long has also had a successful film career, with notable roles in movies such as Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, and Are We There Yet.
Long's acting credits include a wide range of film and television roles, with a total of 83 known credits. She has demonstrated her versatility as an actress by taking on a variety of different roles in various genres. Long's work has been recognized for its quality, and she has established herself as a talented and accomplished actress.
Long's early life and personal background have been shaped by her Afro-Trinidadian heritage and her experiences growing up in different parts of the United States. Her name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, which means purpose in Swahili. Long's family background and personal identity have likely influenced her acting career and the roles she has chosen to take on.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Michael (2026) as Katherine Jackson
- Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough: The Making of Michael (2026) as Self
- Number One on the Call Sheet (2025) as Self
- Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story (2024) Executive Producer
- Missing (2023) as Grace
- You People (2023) as Fatima
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) as Self - Guest
- The Best Man: The Final Chapters (2022) as Jordan Armstrong
- Look Both Ways (2022) as Lucy Galloway
- #blackAF (2020) as Lavette
- Life in a Year (2020) as Catherine
- The Banker (2020) as Eunice Garrett
- Fatal Affair (2020) as Ellie Warren
- Fatal Affair (2020) Producer
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- 47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019) as Jennifer
- Steve (2017) as Self
- Dear White People (2017) as Neika Hobbs
- Beaches (2017) as Hillary Whitney
- Roxanne Roxanne (2017) as Ms. Peggy
- Lemon (2017) as Cleo
- Keanu (2016) as Hannah
- Uncle Buck (2016) as Cindy Russell
- Empire (2015) as Giuliana
- The Single Moms Club (2014) as May Miller
- The Divide (2014) as Billie Page
- The Best Man Holiday (2013) as Jordan Armstrong
- House of Lies (2012) as Tamara
- Mooz-lum (2011) as Safiyah
- The Enduring Significance of 'Boyz n the Hood' (2011) as Self
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) as Shay Mosley
- The Cleveland Show (2009) as Roberta Tubbs (voice)
- Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009) as Self
- Good Hair (2009) as Self
- ‘Friday’ Straight Up (2009) as Self
- The Wendy Williams Show (2008)
- Gospel Hill (2008) as Mrs. Palmer
- Big Shots (2007) as Katie Graham
- Premonition (2007) as Annie
- Are We Done Yet? (2007) as Suzanne Persons
- Big Momma's House 2 (2006) as Sherri
- Are We There Yet? (2005) as Suzanne Kingston
- Boston Legal (2004) as Vanessa Walker
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self
- Alfie (2004) as Lonette
- America Beyond the Color Line (2004) as Self
- Baadasssss! (2004) as Sandra
- Friendly Fire: Making of an Urban Legend (2003) as Self
- Everwood (2002) as Cassie
- Sightings: Heartland Ghost (2002) as Lou
- 106 & Park (2000)
- Big Momma's House (2000) as Sherry Pierce
- Boiler Room (2000) as Abbie Halpert
- The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000) as Leslie
- If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) as Karen
- Judging Amy (1999) as Andrea Solomon
- Third Watch (1999) as Sasha Monroe
- Stigmata (1999) as Donna Chadway
- In Too Deep (1999) as Myra
- The Best Man (1999) as Jordan Armstrong
- Held Up (1999) as Rae
- The Secret Laughter of Women (1999) as Nimi Da Silva
- Butter (1998) as Carmen Jones
- Love Jones (1997) as Nina Mosley
- Soul Food (1997) as Robin (Bird)
- Hav Plenty (1997) as Trudy
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Moesha (1996) as Babysitter
- Friday (1995) as Debbie
- Live Shot (1995) as Ramona Greer
- ER (1994) as Christy Wilson
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Living Single (1993) as Stacey
- Made in America (1993) as Zora Mathews
- Boyz n the Hood (1991) as Brandi
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Claudia
- Buried Alive (1989) as Fingers
- The B.R.A.T. Patrol (1986) as Darla Perkins
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Presenter
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Darla Perkins
- Unsung Hollywood
- Don't Ever Wonder
- Don't Ever Wonder Producer
- Are They Gone Yet? as Suzanne Persons