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.
2025
as Katherine Jackson
2023
as Fatima
2023
as Grace
2022
as Jordan Armstrong
2022
as Lucy Galloway
2020
as Catherine
2020
as Ellie
2020
as Lavette
2020
as Eunice Garrett
2019
as Jennifer
2017
as Neika Hobbs
2017
as Ms. Peggy
2017
as Cleo
2017
as Hillary Whitney
2016
as Cindy Russell
2016
as Hannah
2014
as Billie Page
2014
as May Miller
2013
as Jordan Armstrong
2013
as Lucy Somers
2012
as Tamara
2011
as Self
2011
as Safiyah
2009
as Self
2009
as Roberta Tubbs (voice)
2009
as Shay Mosley
2008
as Mrs. Palmer
2007
as Katie Graham
2007
as Suzanne Persons
2007
as Annie
2006
as Sherri
2005
as Suzanne Kingston
2004
as Lonette
2004
as Vanessa Walker
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as Sandra
2004
as Self
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as Self
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as Lou
2002
as Cassie
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as Sherry Pierce
2000
as Karen
2000
as Abbie Halpert
2000
as Leslie
1999
as Nimi Da Silva
1999
as Jordan Armstrong
1999
as Rae
1999
as Sasha Monroe
1999
as Andrea Solomon
1999
as Donna Chadway
1999
as Myra
1998
as Carmen Jones
1997
as Robin (Bird)
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as Trudy
1997
as Nina Mosley
1996
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as Ramona Greer
1995
as Debbie
1994
as Christy Wilson
1993
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as Zora Mathews
1991
as Brandi
1990
as Lisa Wilkes
1989
as Fingers
1986
as Darla Perkins
1954
as Darla Perkins