| Jméno: | Nia Long |
| Datum narození: | 1970-10-30 |
| Místo narození: | Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA |
| Výška: | 1.57 m |
| IMDb ID: | nm0000505 |
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.
- Younger half-sister of comedian Sommore.
- She is of Trinidadian, Granadian, and Barbadian descent.
- Career got started by Betty A. Bridges, mother of actor Todd Bridges. Betty was her acting coach for 15 years.
- Took Third Place by the readers of Black Men Magazine for "The 10 Sexiest Women of the Year." (2000)
- Early in her career at a casting call she was once told that 'your eyebrows are too sophisticated'.
- Voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the World 2000 by People Magazine
- Attended the same junior high school as friend Regina King.
- Mentioned by name in the lyrics of many rap songs including, J. Cole (No Role Modelz), Ye (Touch the Sky), Dave East (Dreams of F*****g Nia Long), Ghostface Killah (The Hilton), Papoose (Control), Lil' Wayne (Novacane), Nas (Oochie Wally), Chingy (Dem Jeans), Webbie (Like That), Meek Mill (I'm Leanin'), Juicy J (Bandz A Make Her Dance), etc.
- Nia and Ime Udoka welcomed a baby boy named Kez on Monday November 7th 2011 he weighed 7lbs 15oz and was 19.5 inches long at birth.
- She and Massai Z. Dorsey were to wed in June 2001, but ended their relationship before getting married to each other.
- Nia's very first acting job was as an uncredited extra on the TV series Silver Spoons (1982) in which she had just one forgettable line of dialogue.
- Returned to work 12 months after giving birth to her son Kez in order to begin filming The Single Moms Club (2014).
- First child Massai Zhivago Dorsey II, with Massai Z. Dorsey was born on November 26th, 2000 in Los Angeles.
- She was once coached by Ivana Chubbuck.
- Friends with F. Gary Gray.
- Is currently portraying "Sasha Monroe" as she returns as a regular cast member for her second on NBC's multi-faced drama Third Watch (1999). (January 2004)
- Nia and her beau, Massai Z. Dorsey, have announced that they are expecting their first child in November 2000. They also announced that they will wed in June 2001.
- Currently filming Agent v sukni 2 (2006). (April 2005)
