Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: October 29, 1972

Age: 51 years old

Birth Place: Omaha, Nebraska

Actress Gabrielle Union essayed self-assured African-American women in a diverse array of projects, ranging from comedies like "Bring It On" (2000) and "Bad Boys II" (2003) to series like "Being Mary Jane" (BET, 2013-19). Born Gabrielle Monique Union on October 29, 1972 in Omaha, Nebraska, she relocated with her family to the Bay Area suburb of Pleasanton, California, when she was eight years old. She later attended Foothill High School, where she excelled at an array of sports, before graduating in 1991. From there, she followed in the footsteps of two uncles by attending the University of Nebraska, before transferring to Cuesta College and finally, UCLA, where she earned her degree in sociology with honors in 1996. Though she intended on next tackling a law degree, Union found herself modeling, with the intention of using the money to pay off her college loans, through an internship at a Los Angeles modeling agency. When she completed the internship, the agency took her on as a client and submitted her for minor roles on television series; she began landing appearances on shows like "Family Matters" (CBS, 1989-1998), which led to recurring turns on "Sister, Sister" (ABC/The WB, 1994-99) and her feature film debut in the teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999). Union's breakout film role, as the tough captain of an inner-city cheerleading squad in "Bring It On," came the following year, and the film's popularity provided her with the boost she needed to transition full-time to features. Union was soon a go-to performer for smart, confident young African-American women in features like "The Brothers" (2001), the comedy "Welcome to Collinwood" (2002) with George Clooney, and the action-thriller "Cradle 2 the Grave" (2003) with Jet Li and rapper DMX. But her film stardom appeared to peak with her turn as Will Smith's girlfriend in "Bad Boys II"; subsequent film projects, including an African-American take on "The Honeymooners" (2005), and an adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' "Running with Scissors" (2006), failed to attract audiences, and by 2005, Union had returned to regular work on television. She joined the cast of the offbeat police drama "Life" (NBC, 2007-09) shortly before its cancellation, and her next effort, the science fiction thriller "FlashForward" (ABC, 2009), lasted only a single season. Undaunted, Union forged ahead with character roles, including a critically acclaimed turn as bluesman Muddy Waters' wife, Geneva Wade, in "Cadillac Records" (2008), and supporting performances in Tyler Perry's "Good Deeds" (2012), the big-screen adaptation of comic Steve Harvey's advice book "Think Like a Man" (2012) and Chris Rock's "Top Five" (2014). She also made her debut as both producer and star on the BET series "Being Mary Jane." The drama, about a successful TV anchor's pursuit of personal and professional happiness, was a ratings hit and earned Union three NAACP Image Award Nominations, including a win in 2014. The success of the series helped to remind audiences and executives alike of Union's talent, and she soon settled into a busy schedule of features and television. The former included Nate Parker's controversial "Birth of a Nation" (2016) and a rare starring turn as a mother defending her children against home invaders in the hit "Breaking In" (2018), which she also produced. In the latter capacity, Union reprised her "Bad Boys II" role for "L.A.'s Finest" (Spectrum Originals, 2019- ), which promoted her character to police detective and partnered her with Jessica Alba. While working on the series, Union also served as a judge on the fourteenth season of the reality competition series "America's Got Talent" (NBC, 2007- ). Controversy erupted in November 2019 when it was announced that Union was fired from the series after a single season: reports quickly revealed that Union had complained about what she considered a toxic work environment, including meddling by producers, a racist joke by guest judge Jay Leno, and series creator Simon Cowell constantly smoking inside the studio building in defiance of California law.

Credits

The Idea of You

Producer
Movie
2024

Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50Stream

Executive Producer
Reality
2023

Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50Stream

Self
Reality
2023

Live with Kelly and MarkStream

Guest
Talk
2023

The Perfect FindStream

Actor
Jenna Jones
Movie
2023
70%

The Perfect FindStream

Producer
Movie
2023
70%

StoryBots: Answer Time

Guest Star
Ms. Firefighter
Show
2022

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Guest
Talk
2022

Cheaper by the DozenStream

Actor
Zoey Baker
Movie
2022
36%

Cheaper by the DozenStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2022
36%

Strange WorldStream

Voice
Meridian Clade
Movie
2022
72%

The InspectionStream

Actor
Inez French
Movie
2022
89%

The InspectionStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2022
89%

Live in Front of a Studio Audience

Actor
Tootie
Special
2021

Idea Generation

Guest
Show
2021

CBS Mornings

Guest
News
2021

The Drew Barrymore ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2020

Elmo's Playdate: Scavenger Hunt

Guest
Show
2020

GMA3: What You Need to Know

Guest
Show
2020

Questlove's Potluck

Guest
Show
2020

Truth Be ToldStream

Actor
Eva
Series
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

Tamron Hall

Guest
Talk
2019

L.A.'s FinestStream

Actor
Sydney Burnett
Series
2019
24%

L.A.'s FinestStream

Executive Producer
Series
2019
24%

L.A.'s Finest: Extras

Actor
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

Desus & Mero

Guest
Show
2019

Desus & Mero: Extras

Guest
Show
2019

Oprah at Home With Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade & Their New Baby

Guest
Show
2018

We Have a Dream

Guest
Show
2018

All Star Flip

Host
Reality
2018

People Cover Story

Guest
Show
2018

Breaking In

Actor
Shaun Russell
Movie
2018

Breaking In

Producer
Movie
2018

The Public

Actor
Rebecca Parks
Movie
2018

Access

Guest
Show
2017

Complex X Fuse

Guest
Show
2017

Sister Circle

Guest
Talk
2017

STEVE on Watch

Guest
Talk
2017

The Lion Guard: Rise of Scar

Voice
Nala
Show
2017

Daily Pop

Guest
News
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

Sleepless

Actor
Dena
Movie
2017

Desus & MeroStream

Guest
Talk
2016

Celebrity PageStream

Guest
News
2016

The Lion GuardStream

Voice
Series
2016

The Birth of a Nation

Actor
Esther
Movie
2016

Almost ChristmasStream

Actor
Rachel
Movie
2016
49%

Almost ChristmasStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2016
49%

The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

America's Got Talent: Extras

Judge
Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Hot OnesStream

Guest
Reality
2015

The Nightly Show With Larry WilmoreStream

Guest
Talk
2015
100%

With This Ring

Actor
Kitty
Movie
2015

With This Ring

Executive Producer
Movie
2015

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar

Voice
Nala
Movie
2015

Being Mary Jane: Extras

Actor
Show
2014

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Talk
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Being Mary JaneStream

Actor
Mary Jane Paul
Series
2014

Think Like a Man TooStream

Actor
Kristen
Movie
2014
24%

Top FiveStream

Actor
Erica
Movie
2014
85%

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

BET Honors 2013

Host
Show
2013

Mo'Nique Show: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

BET Honors 2013: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

Being Mary Jane

Actor
Mary Jane Paul
Movie
2013

The Root 100

Guest
Show
2012

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Self
Show
2012

Anderson Live

Guest
Show
2012

Anderson Live

Host
Show
2012

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

Guest
Show
2012

BET Honors 2012

Host
Show
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

Tyler Perry's Good DeedsStream

Actor
Natalie
Movie
2012
36%

Think Like a ManStream

Actor
Kristen
Movie
2012
54%

In Our Nature

Actor
Vicky
Movie
2012

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

Dish Nation

Guest
Talk
2011

BET Honors

Host
Show
2011

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Heart of the City: Chicago's Cancer Divide

Host
Show
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

BET Honors 2010

Host
Show
2010

The Mo'Nique Show

Actor
Show
2009

The Brian McKnight Show

Guest
Show
2009

FlashForwardStream

Guest Star
Zoey Andata
Series
2009
80%

ES.TV

Guest
Show
2009

The Dr. Oz Show

Guest
Talk
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

The Doctors

Guest
Talk
2008

Meet DaveStream

Actor
No. 3 - Cultural Officer
Movie
2008
20%

Cadillac RecordsStream

Actor
Geneva
Movie
2008
66%

LifeStream

Guest Star
Series
2007

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Talk
2007

Army WivesStream

Guest Star
Gina Holt
Series
2007

Daddy's Little GirlsStream

Actor
Julia
Movie
2007
26%

The Perfect Holiday

Actor
Nancy
Movie
2007

The Box

Actor
Det. Cris Romano
Movie
2007

Ugly BettyStream

Guest Star
Renee Slater
Series
2006
97%

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

The One Show

Guest
Show
2006

America's Got TalentStream

Judge
Reality
2006

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

Running With Scissors

Actor
Dorothy
Movie
2006

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Series
2005

Night StalkerStream

Actor
Perri Reed
Series
2005

ET Canada

Guest
Show
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Constellation

Actor
Carmel Boxer
Movie
2005

Say Uncle

Actor
Elise
Movie
2005

Neo Ned

Actor
Rachael
Movie
2005

The HoneymoonersStream

Actor
Alice Kramden
Movie
2005
13%

The Insider

Guest
Show
2004

Breakin' All the RulesStream

Actor
Nicky Callas
Movie
2004
31%

Something the Lord MadeStream

Actor
Clara Thomas
Movie
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Pepsi Smash

Host
Show
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Deliver Us From Eva

Actor
Eva
Movie
2003

Bad Boys IIStream

Actor
Syd Burnett
Movie
2003
23%

Cradle 2 the GraveStream

Actor
Daria
Movie
2003
26%

AbandonStream

Actor
Amanda
Movie
2002
16%

Welcome to Collinwood

Actor
Michelle
Movie
2002

The Proud FamilyStream

Guest Voice
Sunny Stevens/"Iesha"
Series
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

The BrothersStream

Actor
Denise Johnson
Movie
2001
63%

Two Can Play That GameStream

Actor
Conny Spalding
Movie
2001
40%

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

Actor
Show
2000

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

Guest
Show
2000

Entertainment Studios.com

Guest
Show
2000

City of Angels

Actor
Dr. Courtney Ellis
Show
2000

Bring It OnStream

Actor
Isis
Movie
2000
65%

The West WingStream

Guest Star
Meeshel Anders
Series
1999
81%

Grown Ups

Guest Star
Show
1999

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Shauna Parks
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Shauna Parks
Series
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

She's All ThatStream

Actor
Katie
Movie
1999
41%

10 Things I Hate About YouStream

Actor
Chastity
Movie
1999
71%

H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!

Actor
Gabrielle
Movie
1999

Kickin' It: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1998

1973

Actor
Renee
Show
1998

City Guys

Guest Star
Kaiisha Grant
Series
1997

Hitz

Guest Star
Show
1997

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Clueless

Guest Star
Series
1996

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

7th HeavenStream

Guest Star
Series
1996

7th Heaven: Beginnings

Guest Star
Show
1996

Goode Behavior

Guest Star
Show
1996

MoeshaStream

Guest Star
Series
1996

FriendsStream

Guest Star
Kristen Lang
Series
1994
78%

ERStream

Guest Star
Tamara Davis
Series
1994

Entertainers: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1994

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Sister, SisterStream

Guest Star
Series
1994

Dave's World

Guest Star
Series
1993

Star Trek: Deep Space NineStream

Guest Star
N'Garen
Series
1993
91%

E! News

Actor
News
1991

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutGabrielle Union

Jessie T. Usher, Samuel L. Jackson, Richard Roundtree in 'Shaft'

Samuel L. Jackson & More Honor ‘Shaft’ Star Richard Roundtree: ‘The Best to Ever Do It’

'Strange World' on Disney+

‘Strange World’ to Hit Streaming on Disney+ Just in Time for the Holidays

Gabrielle Union attends the Cheaper By The Dozen premiere

Gabrielle Union Joins Octavia Spencer in ‘Truth Be Told’ Season 3

Cheaper by the Dozen
Q&A

Gabrielle Union & Zach Braff on Rebooting ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ for the Modern Family (VIDEO)

Cheaper by the Dozen Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff

‘Cheaper by the Dozen’: The Bakers Are Back in First Look at Disney+ Reboot (VIDEO)

'The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,' Paula Jai Parker as Trudy, Kyla Pratt as Penny, Tommy Davidson as Oscar

‘The Proud Family’ Revival ‘Louder and Prouder’ Gets Premiere Date — Watch the Trailer (VIDEO)

Jennifer Aniston, Gabrielle Union, Allison Tolman

‘The Facts of Life’ Live Casts Jennifer Aniston, Gabrielle Union, Allison Tolman, Kathryn Hahn

Sarah Michelle Gellar Gabrielle Union Rupert Grint

10 Broadcast TV Pilots We Still Wish We Could Have Watched

Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in LA's Finest - Season 1

Gabrielle Union on What Dwyane Wade Thinks of her Love Scenes in ‘L.A.’s Finest’

Jessica Alba Gabrielle Union LAs Finest Season 2 Nancy Syd

‘L.A.’s Finest’ Canceled After 2 Seasons on Spectrum

Gabrielle Union in America's Got Talent - Season 14

Gabrielle Union & NBC Have ‘Reached an Amicable Resolution’ After ‘AGT’ Investigation

LA's Finest Gabrielle Union Jessica Alba
Premiere

3 Things to Know as ‘L.A.’s Finest’ Season 1 Arrives on Fox

Gabrielle Union Jessica Alba Fox Debut LAs Finest
Exclusive

‘LA’s Finest’ Brings Team Players & Game Changers to Fox This Fall (VIDEO)

Gabrielle Union in America's Got Talent - Season 14

Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Against NBC & ‘AGT’s Simon Cowell

America's Got Talent - Season 14 - Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, and Simon Cowell

‘America’s Got Talent’ Releases Investigation Results After Gabrielle Union’s Exit

Gabrielle Union in America's Got Talent - Season 14

Gabrielle Union Calls NBC Meeting Over ‘AGT’ Concerns ‘Productive’

America's Got Talent - Season 14

NBC ‘Working With’ Gabrielle Union After Her Controversial ‘AGT’ Exit

America's Got Talent - Season 14
Q&A

‘AGT’ Newbies Gabrielle Union & Julianne Hough on Their Judging Styles, Favorite Acts

Copy of Copy of Untitled Design (7)
Premiere

Syd & Nancy’s ‘Uncomfortable’ Pasts Will Pop up on ‘L.A.’s Finest’

las finest 3

‘L.A.’s Finest’: See Gabrielle Union & Jessica Alba in First Teaser for ‘Bad Boys’ Spinoff (VIDEO)

Ernie Hudson in The Family Business
Preview

Ernie Hudson on Playing a Different Kind of Dad on BET’s ‘The Family Business’

The cast of Party of Five - Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell, Matthew Fox, and Lacey Chabert

TV Pilots 2018: All the Potential Shows, Pickups & Series Orders

e3e77e94f0b6ced639e9ff3940e054882f4ab4fdabad702c6c8d5e8efdad33762c92739bd4458189fa669b99ecef4efa

TV News Roundup: ‘Insecure’ Season 3 Trailer, ‘Bad Boys’ Spinoff Not Dead, & More

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Team Up for HGTV Renovation Special

Gabrielle Union attends her Martini & Rossi Gabrielle Union Book Tour After Party

NBC Developing ‘Bad Boys’ Spinoff With Gabrielle Union

Being Mary Jane - Michael Ealy and Gabrielle Union

‘Being Mary Jane’ to End With 2-Hour Movie in 2018

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The Trump Effect: How TV Shows Are Handling the President

David Oyelowo records his voice appearance as Scar in The Lion Guard

‘Selma’ Lead David Oyelowo Joins the Pride in ‘The Lion Guard’ Season 2

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