Born on October 29, 1972, Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade (previously known as Gabrielle Union) is an American actress who started her career in the 1990s. Initially appearing in various television sitcoms, she later secured supporting roles in popular teen films like She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999. Union-Wade gained even more recognition in the following year with her breakthrough role in the teen film Bring It On.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade |
| Date Of Birth: | October 29, 1972 |
| Place Of Birth: | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S |
| Nationality: | American |
| Spouses: | Chris Howard (m. 2001; div. 2006) Dwayne Wade (m. 2014) |
| Children: | 1 |
| Occupations: | Actress & Author |
| Net Worth: | $40 million |
Early Life And Education
Born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 29, 1972, Gabrielle Union grew up in a blended family after her parents divorced. Despite facing self-esteem issues due to colorism, she was raised to be independent and prioritize the well-being of her family.
Union excelled in sports during high school and faced a traumatic experience of being attacked and raped at gunpoint during college. She later sued the store for negligence and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCLA.
Career
Union began her acting career with minor roles in popular TV shows such as Saved by the Bell and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
She gained recognition for her role in the 2000 film Love & Basketball, followed by a breakout role as Isis in the cheerleading movie Bring It On. This led to her role in the CBS drama City of Angels and her first leading role in the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva.
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Union’s versatility as an actress was evident in her role as Mike Lowrey’s girlfriend in the hit film Bad Boys II. She also delved into voice acting for The Proud Family and garnered critical acclaim for her performance in Neo Ned, winning Best Actress at the Palm Beach International Film Festival.
In addition to her film roles, Union starred in various TV shows like The Honeymooners and Night Stalker. Her multifaceted talents were further showcased in Busta Rhymes’ music video “I Love My Bitch” in 2006.
In 2007, Union starred in Tyler Perry’s film Daddy’s Little Girls, a role written specifically for her. She also appeared in The Perfect Holiday that same year, drawing on her relationships with family for her character.
Not wanting to be typecast, she initially turned down the role but reconsidered after seeing successful actresses in similar roles. Union spoke out about the lack of roles for Black actors in Hollywood, noting the competitive nature of auditions.
Union continued to showcase her talents in various TV shows and films, including Ugly Betty, Cadillac Records, and Think Like a Man.
In 2013, she began starring in the BET show Being Mary Jane, a role she embraced after missing out on a part in Scandal.
Outside of acting, Union launched her hair care line, Flawless by Gabrielle Union, and collaborated on a watch line with Invicta Watch Group.
In 2019, she starred in the Bad Boys spin-off L.A.’s Finest and served as a judge on America’s Got Talent, where her contract was not renewed following her allegations of racism on set. Union filed a discrimination suit against the show’s producers in May 2020.
During Disney Investor Day on December 11, 2020, Union’s role alongside Zach Braff in a Cheaper by the Dozen remake was announced. The film was released in March 2022 under the same title.
In December 2021, she portrayed Tootie Ramsey in The Facts of Life segment of Live in Front of a Studio Audience. In March 2022, Union was cast as the lead for the third season of Truth Be Told on Apple TV+.
Additionally, she reprised her role in The Proud Family on its sequel series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in an episode scheduled to air in early 2023.
Books
In April 2017, Union announced the release of her memoir, We’re Going to Need More Wine, which delves into personal stories and reflections on various topics like sexuality, womanhood, race, and more.
The book, described by Union as a mix of “the good, the bad, and the WTF,” was published by Dey Street Books on October 17, 2017. In May 2020, she published her first children’s book, Welcome to the Party, inspired by her daughter.
Union collaborated with her husband on a second children’s book, Shady Baby, released in May 2021. Her second memoir, You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories, was released on September 14, 2021.
Additional Business Ventures
In 2004, Union became a spokeswoman for Neutrogena. She launched Love & Blessings, a clothing line for plus-sized women in 2010.
In 2014, she introduced her first wine, Vanilla Puddin’. She then became the first celebrity ambassador for SensatioNail in November of the same year. In 2020, Union relaunched her haircare brand, Flawless, catering to textured hair.
She also cofounded Bitsy’s, focusing on creating affordable and allergen-friendly snacks. Additionally, Union and her daughter are part owners of Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Personal Life
Union met NFL player Chris Howard in 1999 and they married on May 5, 2001, but separated in October 2005, with their divorce finalized in 2006.
Reflecting on the relationship, Union admitted to rushing into it for the wrong reasons, realizing she hadn’t made the best choices for herself.
In 2008, she started dating NBA player Dwyane Wade, marrying him on August 30, 2014. They signed a prenuptial agreement before the wedding. They welcomed a daughter, Kaavia James Wade, via surrogate on November 7, 2018. Union became a stepmother to Wade’s three children.
Gabrielle Union Net Worth
Gabrielle Union’s net worth is estimated at $40 million as of 2024, primarily earned through her successful acting career in films like Bring It On and Bad Boys II.
Additionally, she has generated income from book authorship and various entrepreneurial ventures, including a haircare line and children’s books. Union’s annual income exceeds $4 million, boosted by endorsements with major brands.
Gabrielle Union Filmography
Film
- Bring It On (2000) – Isis
- The Brothers (2001) – Angela
- Bad Boys II (2003) – Syd
- Deliver Us from Eva (2003) – Eva Dandrige
- Daddy’s Little Girls (2007) – Julia
- Think Like a Man (2012) – Kristen
- Think Like a Man Too (2014) – Kristen
- The Birth of a Nation (2016) – Cherry
- Breaking In (2018) – Shaun Russell
- The Perfect Find (2023) – Jenna
Television
- City of Angels (2000) – Dr. Courtney Ellis
- Being Mary Jane (2013–2019) – Mary Jane Paul
- L.A.’s Finest (2019–2020) – Sydney Burnett
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2023) – Talia (voice)
- America’s Got Talent (2019) – Judge
