Sanaa Lathan is a versatile and accomplished actress, director, producer and activist.
She has appeared in many films and television shows, from romantic comedies to science fiction thrillers, and has also voiced 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.
File
- Full name: Sanaa McCoy Lathan
- Date of birth: September 19, 1971
- Age: 53 years old
- Female
- Place of birth: New York City, New York, United States
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor, director, producer, activist
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Parents: Eleanor McCoy (mother), Stan Lathan (father)
- Siblings: Tendaji Lathan (older brother)
- Spouse: Not applicable
- Children: Not applicable
- Relationship status: single
- Net worth: 8 million USD
Early Life & Education
Sanaa Lathan, now 53, 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 African American and Native American. 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 an interest in acting.
She then enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in English and African American studies.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1992. She continued her studies at Yale University, earning a master’s degree 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 has no children. She has stated that she is ready to get married and become a mother but is also satisfied with her single status and career.
She is a vegetarian and an advocate for animal rights and environmental issues. She is also involved in various philanthropic and social justice initiatives, such as the Sanaa Lathan Foundation, which supports educational and arts programs for youth.
Career
Sanaa Lathan began her acting career in the mid-1990s, appearing in several off-Broadway plays and making guest appearances on television shows such as In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue and Moesha. She debuted in 1997, playing Wesley Snipes’ mother in Blade.
She gained further recognition in 1999 when she starred in The Wood and The Best Man, both of which were critical and commercial successes. She also won an NAACP Image Award for her role 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 act in film and television, 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 with a black female lead in a sci-fi franchise.
She reprized her role as Alexa Woods in the 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 explores the issues of black women and their hair.
She also produced the film alongside Tracey Bing and Marc Platt. She received positive reviews and was nominated for a Black Reel Award for her performance. She also appeared in the hit television shows Succession and The Affair, playing prominent roles.
In 2022, she made her directorial debut with the movie On the Come Up, based on the novel by Angie Thomas, about a teenage rapper who becomes famous after freestyle. She and George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel produced the film.
prize
Sanaa Lathan has won several awards and nominations for her work, including:
- NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture for Best Man (2000) and Love & Basketball (2001).
- BET Award for Best Actress in Love & Basketball (2001).
- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Actress for Intimate Wear (2004).
- Tony Award Nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in the Play A Raisin in the Sun (2004).
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special for A Raisin in the Sun (2008).
- Black Reel Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress, Television Movie or Limited Series for Nappily Ever After (2019).
Argumentative
Sanaa Lathan has faced several controversies during her career, such as:
- In 2017, she was accused of biting Beyoncé in the face at a party, which sparked a media frenzy and the hashtag #WhoBitBeyonce on social media. She denied the allegation, saying it was “absurd” and “funny”.
- In 2018, she was sued by her former personal assistant, who claimed she failed to pay her salary and expenses, and that she was verbally abused and harassed. She denied these 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
Filming
- Tongue
- Wood
- The best man
- Love & Basketball
- Disappearing behavior
- Brown sugar
- Time out
- Aliens vs Predator
- What’s new?
- Clamp/Compression
- Golden light in the sun
- Family of predators
- cleveland program
- Infection
- The Best Man’s Vacation
- Perfect guy
- Now You See Me 2
- Number of shots
- American assassin
- Nappily ever after
- family guy
- Service
- Native son
- Inheritance
- Harley Quinn
- Upcoming
Net value
Sanaa Lathan has an estimated net worth of $8 million.
She has earned her wealth from acting, directing, producing, and voice-over work in various movies and television shows.
