Nia Talita Long, born on October 30, 1970, is a celebrated American actress known for her influential roles in Black cinema and television. She gained early fame for her breakout role in Boyz n the Hood (1991) and for playing Beullah “Lisa” Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1991–1995). Her filmography expanded with key performances in Friday (1995), Love Jones (1997), and Soul Food (1997), further establishing her as a leading figure in 1990s and early 2000s Black film.
Long continued to shine in hit films such as The Best Man (1999), its sequel The Best Man Holiday (2013), and the comedy Big Momma’s House (2000) along with its sequel Big Momma’s House 2 (2006). On television, she portrayed Officer Sasha Monroe in Third Watch (2003–2005), and had significant roles in Empire (2017) and NCIS: Los Angeles (2017–2018).
Throughout her career, Nia Long has been recognized with multiple accolades, including two NAACP Image Awards and a Black Reel Award, honoring her enduring impact on film and television.
