Sanaa Lathan is a versatile and accomplished actress, director, producer, and activist.
She has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, ranging from romantic comedies to sci-fi thrillers, and has also lent her voice to animated characters.
She is known for her roles in Love & Basketball, The Best Man, Alien vs. Predator, Nappily Ever After, Succession, and The Affair. She has also received critical acclaim and recognition for her work on stage and behind the camera.
Profile
- Full name: Sanaa McCoy Lathan
- Date of birth: September 19, 1971
- Age: 53 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actress, director, producer, activist
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Parents: Eleanor McCoy (mother), Stan Lathan (father)
- Siblings: Tendaji Lathan (brother)
- Spouse: N/A
- Children: N/A
- Relationship status: Single
- Net worth: $8 million
Early Life & Education
Sanaa Lathan, who is now 53 years old, was born on September 19, 1971, in New York City to Eleanor McCoy, an actress and dancer, and Stan Lathan, a film director and producer.
She is of African-American and Native American descent. She grew up in New York and Los Angeles, as her parents divorced when she was young, and her father moved to the West Coast.
She attended the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, where she was exposed to the arts and developed her love for acting.
She then enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in English and minoring in African-American studies.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1992. She continued her education at Yale University, earning a master’s in drama in 1995.
Personal Life
Sanaa Lathan has been romantically linked to celebrities such as Omar Epps, Adewale Ogunleye, Steve Rifkind, and French Montana.
However, she has never been married and does not have any children. She has stated that she is open to marriage and motherhood but is also happy with her single status and career.
She is a vegan and an advocate for animal rights and environmental causes. She is also involved in various charitable and social justice initiatives, such as the Sanaa Lathan Foundation, which supports education and arts programs for young people.
Career
Sanaa Lathan began her acting career in the mid-1990s, appearing in several off-Broadway plays and guest-starring in TV shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. She debuted in 1997, playing Wesley Snipes’ mother in Blade.
She gained more recognition 1999 when she starred in The Wood and The Best Man, both commercial and critical successes. She also won an NAACP Image Award for performing in The Best Man.
In 2000, she starred in Love & Basketball opposite Omar Epps, a cult classic that earned her another NAACP Image Award and a BET Award. She also received praise for her role in the HBO film Disappearing Acts, based on the novel by Terry McMillan.
She continued to work in film and TV, appearing in projects such as Brown Sugar, Out of Time, Something New, Nip/Tuck, A Raisin in the Sun, The Family That Preys, and The Cleveland Show.
In 2004, she starred in Alien vs. Predator, the first film to feature a black female lead in a sci-fi franchise.
She reprised her role as Alexa Woods in the film’s video game adaptation in 2007. She also voiced Donna Tubbs on Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, and Catwoman on Harley Quinn.
In 2018, she starred in the Netflix film Nappily Ever After, based on the novel by Trisha R. Thomas, which explored the issues of black women and their hair.
She also produced the film along with Tracey Bing and Marc Platt. She received positive reviews and a Black Reel Award nomination for her performance. She also appeared in the hit TV shows Succession and The Affair, playing high-profile roles.
In 2022, she made her feature directorial debut with the film On the Come Up, based on the novel by Angie Thomas, which follows a teenage rapper who goes viral after a freestyle. She and George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel produced the film.
Awards
Sanaa Lathan has won several awards and nominations for her work, including:
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for The Best Man (2000) and Love & Basketball (2001).
- BET Award for Best Actress for Love & Basketball (2001).
- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for Intimate Apparel (2004).
- Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for A Raisin in the Sun (2004).
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special for A Raisin in the Sun (2008).
- Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series for Nappily Ever After (2019).
Controversy
Sanaa Lathan has faced some controversy in her career, such as:
- In 2017, she was accused of biting Beyoncé on the face at a party, which sparked a media frenzy and a social media hashtag #WhoBitBeyonce. She denied the allegation, saying it was “absurd” and “funny”.
- In 2018, she was sued by her former personal assistant, who claimed that she failed to pay her wages and expenses and that she was subjected to verbal abuse and harassment. She denied the claims, saying they were “frivolous” and “without merit.”
Social Media
Sanaa Lathan is active on social media, sharing her personal and professional updates with her fans and followers. She has the following accounts:
- Instagram: @sanaalathan
- Twitter: @justsanaa
Filmography
- Blade
- The Wood
- The Best Man
- Love & Basketball
- Disappearing Acts
- Brown Sugar
- Out of Time
- Alien vs. Predator
- Something New
- Nip/Tuck
- A Raisin in the Sun
- The Family That Preys
- The Cleveland Show
- Contagion
- The Best Man Holiday
- The Perfect Guy
- Now You See Me 2
- Shots Fired
- American Assassin
- Nappily Ever After
- Family Guy
- The Affair
- Native Son
- Succession
- Harley Quinn
- On the Come-Up
Net Worth
Sanaa Lathan has an estimated net worth of $8 million.
She has earned wealth from acting, directing, producing, and voice-over work in various films and TV shows.
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