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Gabrielle Union

Highest Rated: 88% The Inspection (2022)

Lowest Rated: 0% Constellation (2005)

Birthday: Oct 29, 1972

Birthday:

Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Actor Gabrielle Union has portrayed a self-assured Black 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.

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Highest rated movies

88% 91% The Inspection Watchlist 85% 64% Top Five Watchlist 81% 66% The Idea of You Watchlist
75% Riff Raff
Watchlist
72% 71% The Birth of a Nation Watchlist
72% 79% The Perfect Find
Watchlist
72% 66% Strange World Watchlist
71% 69% 10 Things I Hate About You
Watchlist
67% 51% Neo Ned
Watchlist
66% 65% Cadillac Records Watchlist

Filmography

Movies

Credit
28% 32% Space Cadet Pam Proctor (Character) - 2024
81% 66% The Idea of You Producer - 2024
75% No Score Yet Riff Raff Unknown (Character) - 2024
72% 79% The Perfect Find Jenna Jones (Character),
Producer
- 2023
88% 91% The Inspection Inez French (Character),
Executive Producer
$261.0K 2022
72% 66% Strange World Meridian Clade (Voice) $38.0M 2022
36% 33% Cheaper by the Dozen Zoey Baker (Character),
Executive Producer
- 2022
No Score Yet No Score Yet Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes Tootie (Character) - 2021
65% 39% The Public Rebecca Parks (Character) $571.2K 2018
27% 31% Breaking In Shaun Russell (Character),
Producer
$46.3M 2018
25% 37% Sleepless Dena (Character) $20.7M 2017
49% 64% Almost Christmas Rachel (Character),
Executive Producer
$42.0M 2016
72% 71% The Birth of a Nation Esther (Character) $15.8M 2016
No Score Yet 62% The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar Nala (Voice) - 2015
No Score Yet 53% With This Ring Kitty (Character),
Executive Producer
- 2015
85% 64% Top Five Erica (Character) $25.3M 2014
23% 59% Think Like a Man Too Kristen (Character) $65.1M 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet Being Mary Jane Mary Jane Paul (Character) - 2013
47% 36% In Our Nature Vicky (Character) - 2012
54% 79% Think Like a Man Kristen (Character) $91.5M 2012
37% 76% Tyler Perry's Good Deeds Natalie (Character) $35.0M 2012
66% 65% Cadillac Records Geneva (Character) $8.1M 2008
20% 35% Meet Dave No. 3 - Cultural Officer (Character) $11.8M 2008
No Score Yet 24% The Box Det. Cris Romano (Character) - 2007
19% 52% The Perfect Holiday Nancy (Character) $5.8M 2007
25% 81% Daddy's Little Girls Julia (Character) $31.3M 2007
32% 56% Running With Scissors Dorothy (Character) $6.8M 2006
67% 51% Neo Ned Rachael (Character) - 2005
0% 40% Constellation Carmel Boxer (Character) $306.5K 2005
16% 41% Say Uncle Elise (Character) $5.2K 2005
13% 30% The Honeymooners Alice Kramden (Character) $12.8M 2005
No Score Yet 62% Night Stalker Unknown (Character) - 2005
No Score Yet 93% Something the Lord Made Clara Thomas (Character) - 2004
31% 57% Breakin' All the Rules Nicky Callas (Character) $11.8M 2004
24% 78% Bad Boys II Syd Burnett (Character) $138.4M 2003
27% 52% Cradle 2 the Grave Daria (Character) $34.6M 2003
43% 76% Deliver Us From Eva Eva (Character) $17.3M 2003
16% 31% Abandon Amanda (Character) $10.7M 2002
55% 55% Welcome to Collinwood Michelle (Character) $334.0K 2002
40% 83% Two Can Play That Game Conny Spalding (Character) $22.2M 2001
64% 84% The Brothers Denise Johnson (Character) $27.5M 2001
65% 66% Bring It On Isis (Character) $68.3M 2000
41% 55% She's All That Katie (Character) $63.3M 1999
71% 69% 10 Things I Hate About You Chastity (Character) $38.2M 1999
No Score Yet 66% H-E-Double Hockey Sticks! Gabrielle (Character) - 1999
No Score Yet 80% Playa' Pack Unknown (Character) - 1997

TV

Credit
No Score Yet 28% The Drew Barrymore Show Guest 2020 2022-2024
No Score Yet No Score Yet StoryBots: Answer Time Ms. Firefighter (Guest Star) 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50 Executive Producer,
Self
2023
No Score Yet 12% The View Guest 2014-2015 2017-2018 2020-2023
No Score Yet 69% Truth Be Told Eva (Character) 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Jennifer Hudson Show Guest 2023
No Score Yet 61% Late Night With Seth Meyers Guest 2014-2015 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Daily Show Guest 2003 2022
No Score Yet 50% The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Guest 2017 2022
No Score Yet 55% The Kelly Clarkson Show Guest 2022
No Score Yet 18% The Late Late Show With James Corden Guest 2017-2022
No Score Yet 42% Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guest 2008 2010 2017 2021
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Dr. Oz Show Guest 2017 2020
24% 59% L.A.'s Finest Sydney Burnett (Character),
Executive Producer
2019-2020
No Score Yet No Score Yet Desus & Mero Guest 2019-2020
No Score Yet 44% The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Guest 2014-2020
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Ellen DeGeneres Show Guest 2012 2014 2016 2020
No Score Yet 65% The Lion Guard Nala (Voice) 2016-2019
No Score Yet No Score Yet America's Got Talent Judge 2019
No Score Yet No Score Yet Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Guest 2014 2016-2019
No Score Yet 77% Being Mary Jane Mary Jane Paul (Character) 2014-2015 2017 2019
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Chew Guest 2012 2014 2016-2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet All Star Flip Host 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Hot Ones Guest 2017
No Score Yet No Score Yet Desus & Mero Guest 2017
No Score Yet No Score Yet Rachael Ray Guest 2007-2008 2017
No Score Yet No Score Yet Conan Guest 2012 2014-2015 2017
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Talk Guest 2015 2017
100% 29% The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore Guest 2015
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Doctors Guest 2015
No Score Yet No Score Yet 106 & Park Unknown (Character),
Guest
2012 2014-2015
No Score Yet No Score Yet Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Guest 2012 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Mo'Nique Show Unknown (Character) 2013
No Score Yet No Score Yet Army Wives Gina Holt (Guest Star) 2010
80% 78% FlashForward Zoey Andata (Guest Star) 2009-2010
70% 93% Life Unknown (Guest Star) 2009
97% 83% Ugly Betty Renee Slater (Guest Star) 2008
No Score Yet No Score Yet Night Stalker Perri Reed (Character) 2005-2006
No Score Yet 64% Family Guy Shauna Parks (Guest Voice) 2005
81% 95% The West Wing Meeshel Anders (Guest Star) 2004
No Score Yet No Score Yet Pepsi Smash Host 2003
No Score Yet 41% The Proud Family Sunny Stevens/"Iesha" (Guest Voice) 2002
78% 93% Friends Kristen Lang (Guest Star) 2001
20% No Score Yet City of Angels Dr. Courtney Ellis (Character) 2000
No Score Yet 85% ER Tamara Davis (Guest Star) 2000
33% No Score Yet Grown Ups Unknown (Guest Star) 1999
No Score Yet No Score Yet Clueless Unknown (Guest Star) 1998-1999
No Score Yet No Score Yet 7th Heaven: Beginnings Unknown (Guest Star) 1998
No Score Yet No Score Yet 7th Heaven Unknown (Guest Star) 1996-1998
91% 89% Star Trek: Deep Space Nine N'Garen (Guest Star) 1997
No Score Yet No Score Yet City Guys Kaiisha Grant (Guest Star) 1997
No Score Yet No Score Yet Dave's World Unknown (Guest Star) 1997
No Score Yet No Score Yet Sister, Sister Unknown (Guest Star) 1997
No Score Yet No Score Yet Goode Behavior Unknown (Guest Star) 1996
No Score Yet No Score Yet Moesha Unknown (Guest Star) 1996