Nia Talita Long, born October 30, 1970, is a talented and popular American actress best known for her work in Black cinema. Nia Long gained widespread recognition for her role in the 1991 film “Boyz n the Hood” and her portrayal of Beullah “Lisa” Wilkes on the NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” from 1991 to 1995.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Nia Talita Long |
| Date of Birth: | October 30, 1970 |
| Place of Birth: | United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Net Worth: | $15 million |
| Husband: | Ime Udoka |
Early Life and Education
Nia Long was born in Brooklyn to Talita Long (née Gillman) and Doughtry Long. Her mother, of Trinidadian descent, is a teacher and printmaker, while her father is a high school teacher and poet.
Nia also has an older half-sister, the well-known actress and comedian Sommore. Her parents divorced when Nia was just two years old, leading her mother to move to Iowa City, Iowa, to pursue a fine arts education.
At the age of seven, Nia’s mother relocated to South Los Angeles with plans to marry, although the wedding was eventually called off. Despite the change in plans, Talita decided to remain in Los Angeles.
Nia’s father resided in Trenton, New Jersey. During her childhood, Nia was bused from South LA to Paseo Del Rey Elementary School in Playa Del Rey, where she attended classes from 3rd to 6th grade.
She also studied various disciplines, including ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and acting. Nia completed her high school education at Westchester High School in Los Angeles in 1989.
Career
Nia Long’s career highlights include her role as Kathryn “Kat” Speakes on Guiding Light from 1991 to 1994. She also played Brandi in Boyz n the Hood, which marked her first significant movie role, boosting her confidence as an actress.
Long had a memorable stint as Beulah “Lisa” Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1994 to 1995, initially replacing Jada Pinkett Smith for the role. She joined the cast of Third Watch as NYPD officer Sasha Monroe from 2003 to 2005.
Her filmography includes movies like Friday, Soul Food, Love Jones, Boiler Room, Big Momma’s House, Are We There Yet?, and The Best Man. She appeared in multiple films alongside Ice Cube and Regina King.
Nia Long’s music video cameos include Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky,” and she directed Yolanda Adams’s “This Too Shall Pass” video. She won a NAACP Image Award for her role in Third Watch in 2004.
In recent years, she starred in The Best Man Holiday (2013), showcasing an interracial relationship.
In 2020, she featured in the Netflix thriller Fatal Affair, and in 2022, she appeared in the Peacock miniseries The Best Man: The Final Chapters, reprising her role from the previous films.
Who is Nia Talita Long’s Husband?
Nia Long, a renowned American personality, has been in a relationship with Ime Udoka since 2010. The couple shares a child together, and Nia has children from previous relationships, reflecting her history of long-term dating.
Nia Talita Long Net Worth
Nia Talita Long boasts a net worth of $15 million, primarily attributed to her thriving acting career in both movies and television series.
