Popular American actress, activist, and novelist Gabrielle Union is well known for her parts in a number of movies and television shows. She started off modeling before landing small acting parts in some of the most well-known sitcoms and adolescent comedies of the 1990s. She achieved success thanks to her parts in the 2002 film “Bring It On” and the acclaimed medical drama series “City of Angels.” Union’s performance in the movie “Neo Ned” garnered a lot of positive reviews. She writes books and runs her own clothes, watches, and cosmetics lines in addition to being an author and businesswoman. We’re Going to Need More Wine, one of her books, was named the year’s “Best Book by a Black Author.” She is an activist and supporter of assault victims. Additionally, she has run campaigns for both President Barack Obama and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
Early Childhood & Life
Parents Sylvester E. Union and Theresa Glass welcomed Gabrielle Monique Union into the world on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska. Her mother worked as a manager for a phone firm, while her father was a business executive and former military sergeant. After thirty years of marriage, her parents got divorced. She has a younger and an older sibling.
Her family relocated to Pleasanton, California, when she was just eight years old, and she attended Foothill High School there.
Union studied at the University of Nebraska, where she played varsity soccer. She later changed schools and attended Cuesta College before finally settling in at UCLA, where she obtained a sociology degree.
She interned at the Judith Fontaine Model & Talent Agency during her senior year of college to acquire extra academic credits. She was eventually hired by the agency to model since they thought she was so attractive.
In 1992, when Union was 19 years old, she was working a part-time job in a Payless Store when she was attacked and raped. She was profoundly changed by this frightening experience, becoming a stronger, more resilient individual.
Career of Gabrielle Union
Beginning with little parts in teen films like “10 Things I Hate About You,” “She’s All That,” and “Love & Basketball,” Gabrielle Union began her acting career.
She played the Klingon character N’Garen in the 1997 episode of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” titled “Sons and Daughters.” She also made guest appearances in “Sister, Sister,” “Smart Guy,” and “7th Heaven” episodes.
She appeared opposite rapper LL Cool J in the 2003 movie “Deliver Us from Eva,” which gave her her first big role. In 2002, she and him collaborated on a music video for his song “Paradise.” Union’s performance in the movie garnered positive reviews.
She appeared in the 2004 film “Breakin’ All the Rules” with Jamie Foxx. The movie was a failure, and it did poorly at the box office.
She started working for the major cosmetics company “Neutrogena” in 2004 and has since served as their spokesperson.
She appeared in a music video for the song “I Love My Chick” by Busta Rhymes in 2006. In the video, she portrayed his love interest.
She acted as Julia Rossmore, a lawyer who struggles with romance, in the film “Daddy’s Little Girls.” The part was specifically written for her by the movie’s director Tyler Perry. On February 14th of that year, the movie was released.
She appeared in the holiday movie “The Perfect Holiday.” The movie premiered on December 12th, 2007.
She played “Geneva Wade,” the wife of Muddy Waters, in the popular 2008 film “Cadillac Records.”
2010 saw the launch of her “Love & Blessings” plus-size clothing collection. Gabrielle was motivated by her chubby sibling.
Throughout 2010 and 2011, she also made cameos on the television programs “Army Wives” and “NTSF:SD: SUV.”
She released her first wine, “Vanilla Puddin,” in March 2014. In November 2014, it was revealed that she would serve as the brand ambassador and creative adviser for the nail polish firm “SensatioNail.” She was the brand’s first celebrity ambassador.
In October 2016, she appeared in the film “The Birth of a Nation” as Esther, a rape victim. She apparently accepted the part because, as a rape survivor herself, she could identify with the character.
She introduced a line of hair products called “Flawless by Gabrielle Union” in 2017 and announced a relationship with “Invicta Watches” in September of the same year.
Bigger Works of Gabrielle Union
In the 2007 cheerleading movie “Bring It On,” Gabrielle Union portrayed Isis. She co-stars with Kirsten Dunst in the movie, and her standout performance catapulted her to fame.
She was cast in the 2003 movie “Bad Boys 2” as the girlfriend of Will Smith’s character. The movie was a box office success, grossing more than $273 million globally.
She starred in “Neo Ned” with Jeremy Renner in 2005. Union depicted an African-American woman who believed she was Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party.
In the ABC sitcom “FlashForward,” Union portrayed a recurrent role. For her part in the series, she was nominated in 2010 for a “NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.”
Her debut book, “We’re Going to Need More Wine,” was released by HarperCollins imprint Dey Street Books in April 2017. The book was named “Best Book of the Year by a Black Author” by “The Root” in December 2017.
Personal Legacy & Life
When Gabrielle Union was a senior in high school, she dated NBA player Jason Kidd. Just two weeks before her junior prom, Kidd broke up with her.
She met Chris Howard, an NFL player, at a party in 1999, and the two started dating. They exchanged vows on May 5, 2001. However, the couple filed for divorce in October 2006.
Gabrielle began dating NBA player Dwyane Wade in 2009. Wade’s busy profession caused them to temporarily separate up in early 2013, but they eventually got engaged in December. On August 30, 2014, they exchanged vows in Miami, Florida.
Gabrielle Union Net Worth
An American actress and former model named Gabrielle Union has a $40 million dollar net worth. Her union with NBA player Dwayne Wade contributed to some of her wealth. Gabrielle Union has established herself as one of the most successful actors of her day after acting in a variety of well-known movies.
Trivia
Pop-star Union was friends with Beyonce as a child. Additionally, they collaborated on the 2008 movie “Cadillac Records.”