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Celebrating Nia Long: A Life in Film

The queen turns 53 today!

Nia Long's uncanny beauty, comedic timing, and undeniable talent captured us from the moment we saw her. As her 53rd on October 30th rolls around, we are taking a moment to celebrate the illustrious career of Long, a Hollywood icon who has graced the silver screen with her talent and beauty for over three decades.

From romantic comedies to dramatic masterpieces, join us in honoring her legacy by revisiting some of her most memorable movies, each a testament to her enduring talent and charisma.

  • A Star in the Making

    The Brooklyn-born beauty was a force to be reckoned with on the small and big screens. Her first notable role on television was on the soap opera "Guiding Light," and she later appeared in a number of movie classics, such as "Boyz n the Hood," "Friday," and "Made in America."

  • Our Favorite Love Story

     In 1997 Nia's and Larenz Tate's on-screen chemistry made us want to fall in love. An absolute classic, "Love Jones" is the foundation for many of the Black romantic comedies we see today.

  • Winning!

    In 2000, Nia Long won her first NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress for her role as Jordan in "The Best Man" and later picked up two more in ’04 and ’05 for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her performance on "Third Watch."

  • Comedy Queen

    In 2000, Nia Long showcased her comedic talents in the hilarious comedy "Big Momma's House," co-starring alongside Martin Lawrence.

  • Hip Hop Cutie

    In 2006, Nia Long made a celebrity cameo in Kanye West's 70s-inspired video for "Touch the Sky" -- along side Tracee Ellis Ross.

  • "The Best Man Holiday" (2013)

    Nia Long reunited with the cast of "The Best Man" for this heartwarming sequel, showcasing her enduring chemistry with her co-stars.

  • Fatal!

    Nia Long continued to captivate audiences in the 2020  suspenseful thriller "Fatal Affair," which also starred Omar Epps, showcasing her acting prowess and on-screen presence.

  • Still Slayin'

    This year, Nia Long starred in Netflix film "You People" with Eddie Murphy, Jonah Hill and Lauren London. Directed and co-written by Kenya Barris, the movie starred Hill as Ezra, who falls in love with Amira. Eddie Murphy and Nia Long play her parents, and it was comedy gold. 

    Happy birthday, Nia Long!

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