pass
Issa Rae (born Jo-Issa Rae Diop on January 12, 1985) is a famous American actress, writer, producer and director, best known for creating and starring in the HBO series Insecure.
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Rae developed a passion for storytelling at an early age. She first became known for the web series Awkward black girl, The TV series she created and starred in, which followed the daily experiences of a young African-American woman, helped her transition into television.
UnsafeIssa Dee premiered in 2016 and quickly gained critical and commercial acclaim. Rae received acclaim for her portrayal of Issa Dee, a character that echoed her earlier work on the network series. The series was praised for its authentic and humorous portrayal of a modern black woman.
also UnsafeRae has made great strides in Hollywood through her production company; Color CreativityThe movies she starred in include photo and Small and continues to spark important discussions about race, identity, and culture. Rae’s contributions to the media have earned her numerous awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
American actress and writer
Issa Rae |
|
|---|---|
 Issa Rae: History, Biography, Photos |
|
| Wiki facts and figures | |
| Real Name: | Joe Issa Ray Diop |
| stage name: | Issa Rae |
| Date of Birth: | January 12, 1985 (39 years old) |
| place of birth: | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Country of Citizenship: | American |
| educate: | Stanford University |
| high: | 1.75 m |
| parents: | Abdoulaye Diop and Delena Diop |
| Brothers and sisters: | 4 |
| spouse: | Louis Diame ( m. 2021) |
| Boyfriend and partner: | not applicable |
| Children: | not applicable |
| Profession: | Actress • Writer |
| net worth: | USD 4 million-USD 20 million (USD) |
Early life and education
Issa Rae (born Jo-Issa Rae Diop on January 12, 1985, in Los Angeles, California) is an American actress, writer, producer, and director known for her outstanding contributions to the media focusing on African American narratives.
Ray spent her early years in Dakar, Senegal, before her family settled in Inglewood, California, where her father, Dr. Abdoulaye Diop, a pediatrician from Senegal, continues to practice medicine. Her mother, Delyna Marie Diop, is a teacher from Louisiana. Ray’s parents met in France, reflecting her diverse cultural background.
Rae grew up with four siblings and her childhood was heavily influenced by both African and American influences, which would later play a large role in her storytelling. Her ethnicity is a mix of Senegalese and African-American, and while the specific details of her religious background are not widely documented, given her parents’ backgrounds, it is likely that she was raised in both Christian and Muslim traditions.
In terms of education, Rae attended Stanford UniversityShe majored in African and African American Studies and graduated in 2007. Her experience at Stanford University had a significant impact on her academic and creative career, as she began to explore storytelling through various media, laying the foundation for her future career.
Profession
Issa Rae first gained attention for her web series Awkward Black Girlwhich she created, wrote, and stars in. Launched in 2011, the series humorously chronicles the life of J, a young African American woman dealing with awkward moments in her life. The series quickly gained a large following, highlighting Rae’s gift for storytelling and her knack for connecting with audiences through digital media.
This success led to her breakthrough in television Unsafewhich premiered on HBO in 2016. Co-created by Larry Wilmore, the series follows the friendship between Issa Dee (played by Ray) and Molly Carter, delving into themes of love, friendship, and career in Los Angeles. Insecure became a cultural touchstone and received critical acclaim, earning Ray multiple Emmy nominations for both his writing and his performance.
Rae has also made achievements in film; photo (2020), opposite Lakeith Stanfield, Small (2019), with Regina Hall and Marsai Martin. Her performances have been praised for their depth and relatability. Through her production company, Color CreativityRae has produced content aimed at amplifying underrepresented voices, including the Netflix series La Dolce Vita: Los Angeles.
In addition to acting, Rae has also directed Unsafeshowcasing her versatility behind the camera. Her writing for the show earned her an Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
Rae is also a passionate advocate for diversity in Hollywood, using her platform to advance representation and mentor emerging talent, especially women of color. Her book, The Adventures of an Awkward Black GirlPublished in 2015, Black Woman’s Secrets solidified her status as a vital voice for her generation, blending humor with insightful commentary on black womanhood.
She has received numerous awards for her contributions, including the Peabody Award Unsafeand was named one of the 100 most influential people in 2018 by Time magazine.
Social Media
- Instagram: Issa Rae (@issarae)
- Movies on IMDb: Issa Rae
- Twitter: Issa Rae (@IssaRae) / X
- YouTube: HOORAE Media, an Issa Rae company
Personal life
Issa Rae Unsafe and other projects, married businessman Louis Diame in a private ceremony in the south of France in July 2021.
Rae shared the news via social media, posting a photo of herself wearing a custom Vera Wang gown and jokingly referring to Diame as “Someone’s husbandLouis Diame has largely flown under the radar, known for his background in banking, but little is known about the specific details of his career.
As of this latest update, there has been no public confirmation or indication from Issa Rae or reliable sources that they may be having a child.
net worth
Issa Rae’s net worth is reportedly between $4 million and $20 million, depending on the source. This discrepancy may be due to different methods of calculating net worth, taking into account assets, investments, and earnings from different projects.
Rae’s wealth is largely attributed to her successful career as an actress, writer, producer, and director. Her breakthrough came with the web series Awkward Black GirlLaid the foundation for her acclaimed TV series Unsafe. Rae’s extensive involvement in Insecure — from writing to producing — has significantly improved her financial situation.
In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Rae has also ventured into the business world, working with WarnerMedia The moves, which also include plans to open a creator studio, reflect her growing influence and financial success in the industry.
Filmography
movie
- The Photograph (2020) — Rae stars as Mae Morton, a photographer who reconnects with her past through her mother’s love story. The film marks her first lead role in a feature film.
- “Little” (2019) – In this comedy, Ray plays Jordan Sanders, the main character’s best friend who turns out to be a child.
- The Lovebirds (2020) — Though not the main character, Rae makes a memorable cameo in this romantic comedy starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae’s real-life friend Lena Waithe.
TV Shows
- Arguably her most important work, Insecure stars in the critically acclaimed and award-winning HBO series created by Ray and Larry Wilmore, in which she plays Issa Dee as she explores life, love and career in Los Angeles.
- “Awkward Black Girl” – The web series that catapulted Rae to fame focuses on the life of J, a young African-American woman who faces awkward situations on a daily basis. The series was a precursor to “Insecure.”
- “Rap Sh!t” — Rae serves as executive producer on this HBO Max series about two estranged Miami high school friends who reunite and form a rap group.
- La Dolce Vita: Los Angeles – Another show that Rae executive produced, this Netflix series explores the lives of young African-American professionals in Los Angeles.
- “The Black Ladies Sketch Show” – Rae appeared as a guest on this sketch comedy series on HBO, showcasing her comedic talents in various sketches.
Dubbing and other performances
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Ray voices Miles Morales’ mother, Rio Morales.
- The Secret Life of Bees (2008) – One of her early roles, she played June Boatwright in this TV movie adaptation.
