American actress Nia Long is celebrating her 56th birthday on October 30, 2026. Known for her memorable roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood, Love Jones, Friday and The Best Man, Long has built a successful career in Hollywood spanning more than three decades.
Born on October 30, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, Long grew up between different places before settling in Los Angeles with her mother. Her early experiences helped shape the journey that would later make her one of the familiar faces in American film and television.
Long began building her acting career at a young age. One of her early major roles came in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, where she played Brandi. The film helped introduce her to a wider audience and became an important part of her career.
She later gained more attention through her role as Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on the popular television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith.
Her success continued with films including Friday (1995), Love Jones (1997), Soul Food (1997) and The Best Man (1999). She also appeared in the comedy Big Momma's House (2000), further establishing herself as a familiar name in Hollywood.
On television, Long played Officer Sasha Monroe in the crime drama series Third Watch. She also appeared in productions such as Empire, NCIS: Los Angeles and The Best Man: The Final Chapters, which brought her back to one of her best-known roles.
Nia Long's Upcoming Memoir
As she celebrates another year of life, Long is also preparing to share more of her personal story with readers through her first memoir, The Sound of Purpose.
Published by Gallery Books and its 13A imprint, the book is scheduled for release on May 25, 2027.
The memoir will take readers through her childhood in Brooklyn, her family's move to Iowa and her upbringing in South Central Los Angeles before she began building her career in Hollywood.
Long also plans to discuss her experiences as a Black woman working in the entertainment industry, including racism, colorism and the challenges she faced while finding her place in Hollywood.
According to the publisher, the book will also share behind-the-scenes stories involving people she has worked with, including Will Smith, Regina King, Whoopi Goldberg, Colman Domingo and the late John Singleton.
The memoir offers fans an opportunity to learn more about the person behind the roles they have watched over the years.
Her Recent and Upcoming Film Projects
Long has continued to take on major screen roles in recent years. In 2026, she portrayed Katherine Jackson, the mother of Michael Jackson, in the biographical film Michael. She appeared alongside Jaafar Jackson, who played the late music star, and Colman Domingo, who portrayed Joe Jackson.
She has also joined the cast of Get Lite, an upcoming Paramount dance drama marking singer and actress Teyana Taylor's feature film directorial debut. Long will appear alongside Storm Reid, Ceyair Wright and other cast members. The film is scheduled to reach cinemas on August 20, 2027.
Another project in development is Are They Gone Yet?, the planned third film in the Are We There Yet? comedy franchise. Long is expected to reunite with Ice Cube for the project.
In September 2026, she also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, adding another milestone to her long career in film and television.
From her early days in Boyz n the Hood to her recent portrayal of Katherine Jackson, Nia Long has remained an important name in Hollywood. As she turns 56, her upcoming memoir and new film projects offer fans more reasons to follow the next chapter of her journey.
