Nia Long Biography

Nia Long, actress

Birthdate: October 30, 1970

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York

Sign: Scorpio

Nitara Carlynn Long, better known as Nia Long, has appeared in films such as "Soul Food" and "Love Jones". She was born in Brooklyn, NY to Talita and Doughtry "Doc" Long. After her parents divorced at age two, Nia and her mother Talita moved to Iowa where her mother studied fine arts. At the age of seven, they moved to South Los Angeles. She attended St. Marys Academy where she studied ballet, jazz, tap, guitar, acting and gymnastics. In 1989, she graduated from Westchester High School. Her half sister, Sommore, is known as one of the "Queens of Comedy".

Betty A. Bridges was Long's acting coach for 15 years. Bridges is better known as the mother of "Diff'rent Strokes" actor Todd Bridges. In 1991, Long landed the role of Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the soap opera Guiding Light. In 1994, Long beat out the future Mrs. Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, for the role of Will Smith's girlfriend and fiancée on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air". She also had recurring roles on shows like "Third Watch", "Everwood" and "Boston Legal".

Long's film career began with supporting roles in films like 1990's "Buried Alive" and 1991's "Boyz n the Hood". She's also been featured in films like "Alfie", "Big Momma's House" and "Are We There Yet?", alongside her "Friday" co-star Ice Cube.

Long shares a son, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II, with actor and ex-fiancée Massai Z Dorsey. She was recently seen as Katie Graham in the shortlived ABC series "Big Shots", alongside Dylan McDermott and Michael Vartan.