Nia Long is one of the most popular and richest TV Actress who was born on October 30, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Actress who starred in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Third Watch, and also appeared in movies like Boiler Room and Big Momma’s House.
Together with Taye diggs, she starred in The Best Man.
Long attended the Roman Catholic school St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, California. She was bused from South Los Angeles to Paseo Del Rey Elementary School in Playa Del Rey from 3rd grade through 6th grade. In addition to her academic classes, she studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and acting. She graduated from Westchester High School in Los Angeles 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. Long played Brandi in Boyz n the Hood. The film excited Long, who was doing her “first real movie role”. It helped Long build her confidence as an actress. “It introduced me to the world in a way that it was okay for me to be who I am and still find success,” she added. “I didn’t have to conform to anything.” 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 (opposite a 6’2″ Will Smith), thus leaving Nia to take the part.
On November 26, 2000, she had a son, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II. She married Ime Udoka, a basketball player. They had a son named Kez.
