Nia Long
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1970-10-30
    • Born Place: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
  • Also Known As:

    ნია ლონგი, Ніа Лонг, Nitara Carlynn Long

Nia Long

Born on October 30, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, Nia Long is a highly acclaimed American actress whose career has spanned over three decades, making her a staple of contemporary Black cinema. She first rose to prominence with her film debut in the 1991 cult classic Boyz n the Hood and quickly became a household name through her role as Lisa Wilkes, the girlfriend and eventual fiancée of Will Smith's character on the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Long established herself as a leading lady in several iconic films, including the romantic dramas Love Jones and Soul Food, the comedy hit Friday, and the commercial successes The Best Man and Big Momma's House. Her television work is equally extensive, featuring series regular roles on the crime drama Third Watch, the musical drama Empire, and the action series NCIS: Los Angeles. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, Long portrays Katherine Jackson, the matriarch of the Jackson family. Her role is central to the film's emotional core, depicting Katherine as the "glue" and the steadying force who supported Michael from his childhood as a child prodigy to his global superstardom. Long has expressed deep personal connection to the role, describing it as an "opportunity of a lifetime" to represent a woman of such strength and grace who navigated her family through both immense success and turbulent legal and personal struggles. To prepare for the part, Long focused on capturing Katherine’s quiet resilience and her complex relationship with both Michael and her husband, Joe Jackson (played by Colman Domingo). Beyond her acting career, Long is a three-time NAACP Image Award winner and was recently named a brand ambassador for Estée Lauder, continuing her legacy as an influential figure in both entertainment and fashion.

Person History