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Nia Long Biography

Birth Name:Nitara Carlynn Long

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

In 2007, voted one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in the World
Three-time NAACP Image Award winner, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture for playing Jordan Armstrong in 1999's "The Best Man," and two for Outstanding Actress in a Drama for Officer Sasha Monroe in NBC series "Third Watch․"
A member of the board for HerShe Group, a non-profit organization devoted to the development of young women in foster care
Attended the Roman Catholic school St․ Mary's Academy in Inglewood, Calif․, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, guitar and acting, and then Westchester High School in Los Angeles and on to Santa Monica College
Long's half-sister is comedienne Sommore, a star of "The Queens of Comedy․"
Beat out actress Jada Pinkett Smith for the role of Lisa Wilkes on the NBC series "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air․"
Though her experience in the music industry is limited, she has appeared in the music video for rapper Kanye West's video "Touch the Sky" and also directed gospel singer Yolanda Adams' music video for "This Too Shall Pass․"
Long is of Trinidadian descent
Worked with acting coach Betty Bridges, mother of "Diff'rent Strokes" actor Todd Bridges, for 15 years

Awards

1994Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1998Black Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2000Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actress: winner
2000Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Comedy: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film: nominated
2005Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2012Black Reel-Best Actress: nominated
2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2014Hollywood Award-Best Actress: winner
2014Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture: nominated
2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2021Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2023Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance in a TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2024Peabody Award-Documentary: winner