Gabrielle Union

Photo of Gabrielle Union

Biography

An attractive and impressively talented African-American actress, Gabrielle Union has carved out a niche after landing plum roles in a fiercely competitive field thanks to her consistent yet versatile performances. While studying sociology at UCLA, this Omaha native interned at a modeling agency in her senior year in a bid to fit the most into her school schedule. When agents noted that clients often asked after her and were disappointed that …
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Job Title

Actor

Born

Gabrielle Monique Union on October 29, 1972 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Career Milestones

While in college, interned at a modeling agency, later landing a contract

1981

Relocated from Nebraska to Pleasanton, CA

1996

Guested on episodes of "Moesha" (UPN) and "Malibu Shores" (NBC)

1996

Had a recurring role on "7th Heaven" (The WB), playing the eldest daughter of Reverend Hamilton (Dorian Harewood)

1997

Had a two-episode recurring role on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (Syndicated)

1999

Featured in "H-E Double Hockey Sticks," an ABC TV-movie presentation of "The Wonderful World of Disney"

1999

Made feature debut in the teen comedy "She's All That"

1999

Played the backstabbing best friend of Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) in "10 Things I Hate About You," a teen remake of "The Taming of the Shrew"

2000

Breakthrough film role as the head cheerleader of rival team The Clovers in the cheerleader comedy "Bring It On"

2000

Guested on an episode of "ER" (NBC)

2000

Had a supporting role in the sports-themed romantic drama "Love & Basketball"

2000

Was a regular on the CBS medical drama "City of Angels" as Dr. Courtney Ellis

2001

Featured in the romantic comedy "Two Can Play That Game"

2001

Made history as the first major African-American role on the NBC sitcom "Friends," guest starring as a woman dating both Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Ross (David Schwimmer)

2001

Played Denise Johnson, the strong-willed woman who might change the ways of a commitment-phobe (Morris Chestnut) in "The Brothers"

2002

Co-starred in the college-set thriller "Abandon"

2002

Played Michelle in the comedy "Welcome to Collinwood," directed by Anthony and Joe Russo

2003

Co-starred opposite LL Cool J in the comedy feature "Deliver Us From Eva"

2003

Featured in "Cradle 2 to Grave"

2003

Played the love interest to Will Smith's character in "Bad Boys II"

2005

Portrayed Alice Kramden, opposite Cedric the Entertainer in the big screen remake of "The Honeymooners"

2006

Starred in Peter Paige's feature directorial debut "Say Uncle"

2007

Co-starred with Morris Chestnut and Queen Latifah in the Christmas feature "The Perfect Holiday"

2007

Starred in Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls"

2008

Co-starred with Eddie Murphy in "Meet Dave"

2008

Guest starred on ABC's "Ugly Betty" as Wilhelmina Slater's (Vanessa Williams) younger sister

2008

Portrayed Geneva Wade, Muddy Waters' (Jeffrey Wright) girlfriend in the musical biopic "Cadillac Records"

2009

Landed a recurring role on ABC's mystery drama series "FlashForward"

2012

Cast in the ensemble comedy "Think Like a Man"

2012

Re-teamed with writer, director, and co-star Perry in drama feature "Good Deeds"