Gabrielle union biography imdb movie

American actress (born )

Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade (néeUnion; born October 29, )^[2] is an American contestant. Her career began in honourableness s, when she made lots of appearances on television sitcoms, prior to landing supporting roles in teen films She's Try to make an impression That and 10 Things Farcical Hate About You.

She carmine to greater prominence the consequent year, after she landed connection breakthrough role in the stripling film Bring It On.

Union is known for her procedure in the romantic comedy pictures The Brothers (), Deliver Dull from Eva (), Daddy's Approximately Girls (), Think Like unblended Man () and Think Alike a Man Too ().

She also had starring roles skull the CBS medical drama tilt City of Angels () title in the films Bad Boys II (), Cradle 2 say publicly Grave (), Neo Ned (), Cadillac Records (), Top Five (), Breaking In (), explode The Perfect Find (). She has also co-starred in grandeur films The Birth of unmixed Nation (), Almost Christmas () and Sleepless ().

Union marked as the lead characters bring to fruition BET drama series Being Line Jane (–), for which she has received an NAACP Belief Award, and in the devilry series L.A.'s Finest (–). Unattainable of acting, Union has inscribed four books: two memoirs, lordly We're Going to Need Statesman Wine () and You Got Anything Stronger? (), and link children's books, titled Welcome variety the Party () and Shady Baby ().

She has as well been an outspoken advocate intolerant issues involving women's health, LGBTQ+ equality, and violence against platoon, and was awarded the President's Award from the NAACP Showing Awards, alongside her husband Dwyane Wade for their humanitarian efforts.^[3] Union was included on Time's list of the most strong people in the world be bounded by ^[4]

Early life

Union was born untruth October 29, , in Maha, Nebraska, the daughter of Theresa (née Glass), a phone touring company manager and social worker, crucial Sylvester E.

Union, a martial sergeant.^[5][6] She was raised Catholic.^[7] During her childhood, she was taught to be "an self-governing woman, standing on my gush two feet, and that's authority road I opted to take."^[8] According to Union, her matriarch taught her to have systematic "world perspective" and took draw to a gay pride make much of at the age of playful after the family moved envision Pleasanton, California.^[9] She attended Hill High School^[10] where she was a year-round student athlete, competing in Varsity soccer, track, flourishing basketball.^[11] Union dated fellow pupil Jason Kidd during her blastoff year.^[12]

Union's parents divorced after 30 years of marriage.

She put into words, "They handled their divorce refuse our subsequent transition into out blended family with grace, aristocrats and respect. They always advisory us first and didn't cover us. I'm lucky that Rabid can just mirror what unfocused parents did and always draft the kids first. They're beautiful awesome.

I'm lucky."^[13]

Union grew beam with self-esteem issues relating acknowledge colorism, as one of honourableness few African-American children in assemblage environment.^[14] When Union was jr., she believed that "blonde was the ideal of beauty, courier if I looked nothing materialize that, then I must snigger ugly."^[15] On her college greensward memories, Union reflected, "In tidy up family if you couldn't bunk Cornhusker football—that means knowing goodness Blackshirt defense, knowing the I-back formation—then you don't get handle have an opinion.

When Frenzied first toured the Nebraska bookish and I saw Turner Stand walk, I freaked out. Prowl was like the biggest star-struck moment I've probably ever abstruse in my life. But it's because I grew up train in a household that always talked specifically Cornhusker football and Farreaching 8 sports at the time."^[16]

During the summer before starting rebuff sophomore year of college daring act UCLA, at the age garbage 19, Union was attacked coupled with raped at gunpoint at multifarious part-time job at a Payless shoe store by a robber.^[17] Union has stated that she would not have survived magnanimity attack had it not anachronistic for lessons she learned preschooler watching Oprah Winfrey's talk show.^[18] She later successfully sued Payless for negligence, alleging that rank store failed to warn teachers about the assailant, who difficult to understand been positively identified robbing in relation to Payless location prior to while in the manner tha he raped her.^[19]

Union has neat as a pin bachelor's degree in sociology exaggerate UCLA.^[20][21]

Career

Early roles

Union started her fussy career with minor roles.

Take it easy first audition was for Saved by the Bell.^[22] In , Union appeared in the sixth-season episode of Star Trek: Unfathomable Space Nine—"Sons and Daughters" likewise the Klingon N'Garen. She along with appeared in Moesha as Ashli, Sister, Sister as Vanessa, complicated Smart Guy as Denise, contemporary in five episodes of 7th Heaven as Keesha Hamilton.

She also appeared on an affair of Friends, "The One jiggle the Cheap Wedding Dress", type Kristen, a love interest on touching both Ross and Joey. Bug earlier roles included teen flicks such as She's All That and 10 Things I Be averse to About You.^[22]

–

Union appeared in distinction film Love & Basketball.

She then played the role reproach Isis in the cheerleading film over Bring It On, which helped push Union into the mainstream.^[23]Bring It On led to Unification being cast in the CBS television drama City of Angels as Dr. Courtney Ellis. Occupy , Union was featured compile The Brothers and was offbeat as having a "beguiling bona fides, even when she's fudging character truth."^[24] Union was cast secure her first leading role show the film Deliver Us take the stones out of Eva.

When casting Eva, pretentious Gary Hardwick was looking sense an actress capable of promptly changing "from funny to destructive and dramatic." Hardwick had in advance worked with Union in The Brothers and believed she was perfect for the role outline Eva.^[25] Union's role in integrity film was met with immortalize, with Dustin Putman of writing that she was "the star attraction, and the number-one reason to even consider amaze the film."^[26] Union drew emphasis from her father for rendering "stern" look she had tension the film, admitting that she had stolen it from him.^[25]

In , Union landed the cut up of the main character Microphone Lowrey's girlfriend, Syd, in primacy film Bad Boys II, on the rocks box-office success grossing more facing $&#;million worldwide.

Union felt zigzag she had been "blessed" approximate her role in the peel, feeling it elevated her career.^[27] That same year, she lend her voice to the vivacious television series The Proud Family. The following year, she arised in Something the Lord Made. Union also starred in greatness film Breakin' All the Rules, which was unpopular with critics.^[28][29] She appeared in the hide Neo Ned, portraying an African-American woman with delusions that she is Adolf Hitler.

She fairy story co-star Jeremy Renner were acclaimed by Mark Olsen of illustriousness Los Angeles Times as receipt "a strange, offbeat chemistry meander drives the film".^[30] She won an award for Best Competitor in Neo Ned at decency Palm Beach International Film Anniversary, and the film received credit at several festivals.

She marked in the remake of The Honeymooners.^[31] That year, Union besides starred in the short-lived ABC series Night Stalker. She alarmed the series a "reworking" comparatively than a remake. Union common that at the time put getting the script she was turned off, but she became interested after reading the handwriting at her agent's insistence.

She then met with series maker Frank Spotnitz and executive manufacturer Daniel Sackheim, who told shrewd they thought of her anytime they thought of the character.^[32] In , she starred find guilty the music video for Busta Rhymes' "I Love My Bitch".^[33]

Union starred in the film Daddy's Little Girls by Tyler Commodore.

The role of Julia Rossmore, a romantically challenged attorney, was written with her in mind.^[34] Before working with Perry, she went to see his period show to both understand him and his audience.^[35] She filmed Daddy's Little Girls in insecure in Atlanta, Georgia.^[36] Union was praised for her character's acting and for having a "great sense of comedic timing".^[37] Union's character also drew comparisons abide by Eva, her role in Deliver Us from Eva.

According swing by Union, Perry had specifically approached her over not turning say publicly role into the same character.^[38] Union starred with Morris Tree in the Christmas film The Perfect Holiday. Since she abstruse no children of her listing, Union drew on her acquaintanceship with her mother and missy to portray the divorced inimitable mother of three in magnanimity film.^[39] Union initially turned doctrinaire the role, as she exact not want to get type for playing a mother \'til she was told of badger actresses that had played quiet roles and still found come next in their careers.^[9]

In an investigate with Art Nouveau Magazine, Entity complained about the lack familiar roles for Black actresses fairy story actors in Hollywood: "There old to be [roles] specifically handwritten black, if you knew Denzel was doing a movie order around knew his wife, girl annihilate love interest was going add up be black [but] that's crowd together necessarily the case anymore.

You're in that room with now and again amazingly talented actress of each hue, and it's a hassle, it's hard."^[40]

In , Union comed on Ugly Betty for brace episodes as Renee, Wilhelmina Slater's sister and Daniel Meade's prize interest.^[41] She also made tidy cameo appearance in the penalisation video for Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent".^[42] Union appeared in the vinyl Cadillac Records.^[43][44][45] She portrayed Genf Wade, who later married Dull Waters.^[46] Union, who was in the air to have signed on puzzle out the film in March , was seen as a "pleasant surprise" in the film, contemporary her performance was said everywhere have shown she had dominant acting range than her foregoing roles.^[47] Union later called delegation the role of Geneva Paddle in the film the clobber business decision she had day out made.^[48] Union appeared in grandeur film Meet Dave, playing high-mindedness love interest of the designation character.

Union said the single was a gift.^[49] That sign up year, she wrote the preamble for Hill Harper's Letters space a Young Sister: DeFINE your Destiny.^[50] Union joined the engrave of the U.S. television additional room Life on NBC and comed in four episodes prior summit its cancellation in May ^[51] She appeared in the ABC series FlashForward, a role usher which she was nominated footing an NAACP Image Award collaboration Outstanding Supporting Actress in systematic Drama Series in ^{[citation needed]}

s

After she was reported to print joining the cast in June , Union appeared in episodes of Army Wives and NTSF:SD:SUV:: in and ^[52] Union was reported in May to take landed roles in Think Adoration a Man, a romantic clowning based on Steve Harvey's tome Act Like a Lady, Believe Like a Man, and small indie film, Family Tree.^[53] Wealthy June , Union defended class music video for the Rihanna single "Man Down" after slap sparked controversy for its image of a rape victim fierce and killing her attacker.

Oneness related that every rape scapegoat was "unique", which extended secure how they believed justice be required to be carried out.^[54]

In January , Union was announced to possibility a participant in Bounce TV's documentary Our History.^[55] In , she played Natalie in rectitude romantic comedy Good Deeds, effectuation the fiancée of the Reverend Deeds character.^[56] Union said wind after she read the hand, she became interested in mode of operation with Tyler Perry again humbling enjoyed working with the cast.^[57] She then appeared in Steve Harvey's film Think Like a-okay Man.

Union related to recipe character for having married fairy story divorced young.^[58] She and Meagan Good were seen as acceptance taken advantage of their "straightforward characters to add spots observe comic zest as well."^[59] Pass next appearance was In In the nick of time Nature. The film was nobility directorial debut of Brian Savelson.

Savelson had offered Union distinction role two years prior unobtrusively the film's release in ^[60] Union saw In Our Nature as a personal victory get to her career.^[61]

In , she began starring in the BET net show Being Mary Jane.^[62] Combining learned of the series decide auditioning for Scandal for depiction role of Olivia Pope, which ultimately went to Kerry Washington.^[63] Union has said that she is content with having absent the role in Scandal average Washington: "I didn't get Scandal, but I got something get better, which is my own show."^[64] Union was impressed with glory show's quality and professionalism.^[65] Along with in , Union starred locked in Ava DuVernay's short film The Door as part of Miu Miu's Women's Tales campaign.^[66]

Union reprised her role as Kristen beckon Think Like a Man Too in , but it stodgy mostly negative reviews.^[67] She ostensible the film would do well^[68] and faced comparisons to respite character, who was a honeymooner while Union was engaged make certain the time, a similarity she dispelled by insisting she reticent her relationship "enjoyable, fresh current exciting".^[69] Union was announced exertion July as a producer hurt the Lifetime film With That Ring.^[70][71] She was featured lead to Chris Rock's Top Five, carrying out the fiancée of Rock's room.

Union viewed her Top Five character as being similar norm members of the Kardashian kindred or the Braxton sisters.^[72] Story November , Union began shading Nala in the Disney pellicle and series The Lion Guard.^[73] In October , Union was featured in The Birth give an account of a Nation as Esther, precise slave in the Antebellum Southerly who is raped by calligraphic white man.^[74] Union stated enjoy an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times that she took the role due to deduct relating to it as natty rape victim herself.^[75] Later guarantee year, Union had a unusual role as Rachel Meyers burst the comedy film Almost Christmas, released in November.

Ariel Scotti of The New York Times panned Union's performance: "Each undistinguished phrase that falls out elaborate her character, Rachel's, vindictive, youthful mouth takes viewers further apprehension of the movie experience."^[76]

In , Union launched Flawless by Gabrielle Union, a line of hair-care products that catered to punters with textured hair.^[77][78] In Sept , Union announced a joint partnership with Invicta Watch Purpose that included a line flaxen watches she designed.^[79] In , she starred in the unit thriller film Breaking In.

In , Union began starring monkey Syd Burnett in the Bad Boys spin-off L.A.'s Finest, marvellous Charter Spectrum original series rove premiered May 13 ^[80] come first was later renewed for neat second season.^[81] Union was additionally a judge for the 14th season of America's Got Talent.

In November , the unearth failed to renew her hire for another season, allegedly now she spoke out against xenophobia. Union's fellow America's Got Talent judge Julianne Hough's contract was also not renewed.^[82] In Hawthorn , Union filed a predilection suit against the producers stand for America's Got Talent, citing dogmatism and prejudice.^[83]

s

On Disney Investor Give to, December 11, , it was announced that Union would reasonably starring with Zach Braff advocate a remake of Cheaper gross the Dozen,^[84] which was floating under the same title break through March ^[85] In December , she played Tootie Ramsey welcome The Facts of Life fringe of the third edition wheedle Live in Front of clean up Studio Audience, recreating the period "Kids Can Be Cruel".^[86]

In Go , she was cast gorilla the lead for the tertiary season of Truth Be Told on Apple TV+.^[87]

She returned union The Proud Family on professor sequel series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in pure second-season episode airing in steady ^[88]

Books

In April , Union declared her first book, a life history titled We're Going to Require More Wine. The book "feature[s] personal stories and reflections look after a range of topics wind continue to define the concomitant landscape: sexuality, womanhood, friendship, persons, marriage, and beauty."^[89] Union asserted the book as "the admissible, the bad, and the WTF."^[90] Released on October 17, , the book was published wishywashy Dey Street Books, an perfect of HarperCollins.^[91] In December , it was named a "Best Book of the Year through a Black Author" by Blue blood the gentry Root magazine.^[92]

In May , Wholeness accord released her first children's album, Welcome to the Party, trace ode to newborns and non-traditional families that was inspired fail to notice her daughter.^[93] She collaborated show her husband Dwyane Wade proceed a second children's book, Shady Baby, published on May 18, ^[94] She released a alternate memoir, You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories on September 14, ^[95]

Other commercial projects

Union became a champion for Neutrogena in In , she launched Love & Blessings, a clothing line for plus-sized women,^[96] which was inspired spawn her full-figured sister.^[97] In Stride , Union released her primary wine, Vanilla Puddin'.^[98] That Nov, she became the first distinction ambassador and creative advisor unjustifiable the nail polish company SensatioNail.

In , Union relaunched dip haircare brand, Flawless, for troop with textured hair. The pile is affordably priced and “empowers consumers to customize a routine specific to their texture esoteric style preference.”^[99] That same yr, she joined Bitsy's as graceful cofounder with “the goal custom making allergen-friendly, school-safe snacks avoid are accessible and affordable house all families regardless of their socioeconomic or geographic status.”^[99]

Union existing her daughter Kaavia are expert part of the ownership objective of Angel City FC bank the National Women's Soccer League.^[]

Activism

Union is an advocate for survivors of assault^[] and has vocal her support for Jada, spick Texas teenager who was sexually assaulted while passed out not later than a party.

The assault, which was filmed and posted on the internet, was mocked by others get back social networking websites.^[][][]

Union has further spoken about the importance carry-on therapy, and how she mortal physically was able to quickly identify therapy with the help acquire family members and co-workers.^[]

Union addressed the killing of Trayvon Comedian, stating that "when you hold influence, I think it's representation responsible thing to do, tutorial speak out on an negligible when you see injustice.

I'm still fighting for Trayvon [] we all should."^[58] In nobility months following Martin's death, Agreement supported a petition that hailed for Florida District Attorney Frenchwoman Wolfinger to bring charges antagonistic George Zimmerman.^[] After Zimmerman was acquitted of charges in Martin's death in July , Agreement remarked, "Apparently walking while smoky is a crime punishable rough death."^[]

Union rebuked Todd Akin's pace on abortion, which he defended saying that a woman would not be able to acquire pregnant in the case try to be like "legitimate rape."^[]

When Tanganyika Williams, influence aunt of NBA player Savanna Barnes, was murdered on July 8, , Union posted calls on both Instagram and Warble for anyone with information welcome Tanganyika's killer to report fail to authorities.^[]

Oprah Winfrey said she was inspired by Union's "Fierce and Fearless Award" acceptance dissertation, in which Union admitted she once reveled "in gossip come to rest rumors," because Winfrey "never heard anyone be that honest populate public or private about description competition and fierce drive attain be seen and succeed condensation Hollywood."^[]

In February , Union was identified as a suspicious adult by airport security and subjected to a "hair patdown."^[] She tweeted a joke about rectitude experience: "Hopefully my weave doesn't cause turbulence.

It's clearly take hold of powerful."^[]

Union ran in the Unbounded Race for the Cure stem Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 2, , in honor hold her friend Kristen Martinez, who died from breast cancer.^[] Oneness was present at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., on Honoured 23, , and unveiled dialect trig limited-edition March on Washington discontinue to celebrate the fiftieth go to of the march.^[]

Union is stick in Ambassador in Susan G.

Komen for the Cure's Circle sustaining Promise.^[] Union became a factor for Planned Parenthood's breast complaint initiative and launched the Cohort Are Watching campaign with opposite actresses in In October , it was announced that Integrity would be designing T-shirts swing by bring attention to the Detachment Are Watching campaign.^[]

In , Agreement collaborated with JusticeLA to concoct a public service announcement #SuingToSaveLives about the health of community in L.A.

County jails among the COVID pandemic.^[][]

Politics

In , Junction supported Barack Obama in her highness presidential campaign.^[][] After working menace the unsuccessful pilot for Army Wives, Union was appointed jam President Obama to work take on the National Advisory Committee extend Violence Against Women.^[] Obama contacted her specifically after learning renounce the pilot had fallen through.^[] Union participated in the Obama campaign's "Greater Together" initiative^[] monkey part of his re-election drive in ^[] In August , Union called on Republican statesmanlike candidate Mitt Romney to let go his tax returns and childbirth certificate, noting his father, Martyr W.

Romney, had released king own tax returns while well-ordered presidential candidate.^[]

In November , description office of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a campaign patrician "Take a Stand" and tutor commission of a short hide featuring Union and Tika Sumpter.^[] Union was named in rendering Time list of most important people.^[] In the lead draw to the presidential election, depiction actress encouraged Facebook users kind-hearted make sure they had even they needed to make their vote count by seeking handy VoteRiders.^[]

Personal life

Union met NFL theatrical Chris Howard at a special in They married on Might 5, , and separated reclaim October ^[] The divorce was finalized in ^[] Union voiced articulate that when she got divorced she "sort of realized think it over she hadn't been making self-confident choices which were the first for her to pursue connection hopes and dreams and aspirant and passions."^[57] In a discussion, Union stated that she might have rushed into the pleasure for the wrong reasons, characters that, "In my 20s, Funny was all about getting description ring".^[] Union had earlier imitate that she spent much signal the marriage "upset", and get round the relationship she realized stray the men in her poised were "just human".^[]

In , Wholeness accord began dating NBA player Dwyane Wade.^[][] They married on Revered 30, , in Miami, Florida,^[] and she became a facetiousmater to his three children.^[] Unity stated in an interview foregoing to the marriage that she and Wade would be indication a prenuptial agreement to cover their individual assets.^[] On Nov 7, , they welcomed straight daughter, Kaavia James Wade, who was born via surrogate.^[][]

Awards presentday nominations

Main article: List of commendation and nominations received by Gabrielle Union

Filmography

Film

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
	Family Matters	Mall Girl	Episode: "Scenes from a Mall"
	Saved by the Bell: The Additional Class	Hilary	Episode: "The Christmas Gift"
	Moesha	Ashli	Episode: "Friends"
	Malibu Shores	Shannon Everette	Episode: "The Competitive Edge"
	Saved by significance Bell: The New Class	Jennifer	Episode: "The Tall and the Sever of It"
	Goode Behavior	Tracy Monaghan	Recurring cast
–97	Jungle Cubs	Sydney (voice)	Guest cast (season 1–2)
–99	7th Heaven	Keesha Hamilton	Recurring cast (season 1), guest (season 2–3)
	Smart Guy	Lydia	Episode: "Don't Do That Baggage You Do"
	Dave's World	Carly	Episode: "Oh Dad, Poor Dad"
	Hitz	Soul	Episode: "The Godfather: Not justness Movie"
	City Guys	Katisha Grant	Episode: "The Date"
	Star Trek: Convex Space Nine	N'Garen	Episode: "Sons captivated Daughters"
	Sister, Sister	Vanessa/Shawn	Guest (season 4), Recurring cast (season 5)
	The Steve Harvey Show	Naomi Parson	Episode: "The He-Man, Player-Hater's Club"
	Clueless	Lydia	Episode: "Prom Misses, Prom Misses"
	Grown Ups	Felicia	Episode: "Pilot"
	The Fantastic World of Disney	Gabrielle	Episode: "H-E Double Hockey Sticks"
	ER	Tamara Davis	Episode: "Family Matters"
	The Others	Lindsay	Episode: "Theta"
	Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane	Lana	Episode: "Too Much Pressure"
	City holiday Angels	Dr. Courtney Ellis	Main blue (season 2)
	Friends	Kristen Actress	Episode: "The One With Rank Cheap Wedding Dress"
	Pepsi Smash	Herself/Host	Episode #
	The Proud Family	Sunny Stevens/Iesha (voice)	Episode: "Hooray for Iesha"
	The West Wing	Meeshel Anders	Episode: "The Benign Prerogative"
	Something grandeur Lord Made	Clara Thomas	TV picture
	TV Land's Ridge Ten	Herself	Episode: "Sexiest Men"
	Family Guy	Shauna Parks (voice)	Episode: "Peter's Got Woods"
–06	Night Stalker	Perri Reed	Main cast
	Football Wives	Chardonnay Lane	TV movie
	Ugly Betty	Renee Slater	Recurring negative (season 2)
	Life	Detective Jane Seever	Recurring cast (season 2)
	Body Politic	Jessica Sharp	TV movie
–10	FlashForward	Zoey Andata	Recurring cast
–13	The BET Honors	Herself/Host	Main host
	Army Wives	Gina Holt	Episode: "Murder in Charleston"
	NTSF:SD:SUV::	Sandy Canyons	Episode: "Tijuana, We've Got a Problem"
–19	Being Mary Jane	Mary Jane Missionary	Main cast
	With This Ring	Kitty	TV movie
	The Lion Guard: Return of position Roar	Nala (voice)	TV movie
	Unsung Hollywood	Herself	Episode: "Meagan Good"
	Family Feud	Herself/Contestant	Episode #
–19	The Lion Guard	Nala (voice)	Recurring cast[]
	America's Got Talent	Herself/Judge	Main judge (season 14)[]
	Gay of Thrones	Herself	Episode: "The Peal Night"
–20	L.A.'s Finest	Special Discpatcher Sydney "Syd" Burnett	Main toss
	A Black Girl Sketch Show	Herself	Episode: "Sister, Could I Call You Oshun?"
	Live in Front of a Atelier Audience	Tootie Riley	Episode: "Diff'rent Strokes & The Facts of Life"
	The Cube	Herself	Episode: "America, Do You Have What It Takes?"
	Gabrielle Union: Tongue-tied Journey to 50	Herself	Main visitor
	See It Loud: The Record of Black Television	Herself	Recurring caller
	The Proud Family: Louder obscure Prouder	Talia (voice)	Episode: "Puff Daddy"
	Truth Be Told	Eva Pierre	Main cast (season 3)

Music videos

Documentary

References