Gabrielle Union has been a mainstay in the culture for over 20 years. She has continuously brought a sense of fresh, classy, and sophisticated vibe to every character she has played. The actress was born in Nebraska, but her family relocated to California when she was in elementary school.
She began acting in small roles in sitcoms such as Saved by the Bell, Moesha, Sister, Sister and 7th Heaven, until she landed her breakout role as Isis in Bring It On. Bring It On opened up a lot of doors for Union as she then was cast in Bad Boys II, and her first shot at a leading role in Deliver Us From Eva. She also proved her acting ability in the ensemble cast for Think Like A Man and the sequel, Think Like A Man Too.
Gabrielle Union: Beyond Acting
While one of biggest accomplishments in her career is acting, she has used her platform for much more. She has written four books. Two of the books are memoirs: We’re Going to Need More Wine (2017) and You Got Anything Stronger? (2021). She also wrote two children’s books, titled Welcome to the Party (2020) and Shady Baby (2021).
Her high-profile relationship with NBA star Dwyane Wade has also made headlines throughout the years, and as a couple they stand on some important societal issues. Women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights are huge in the Union-Wade household. Wade’s daughter, Zaya Wade, who he shares with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, came out as transgender in 2020. Wade and Union have been nothing but supportive, and as a couple, they won the President’s Award from the NAACP Image Awards, for their humanitarian efforts. The couple also has The Wade Family Foundation which “provides relief to marginalized communities in need, helping to advance racial justice and LGBTQ equality.”
Take a look at eight of her best acting roles ranked below:
