Gabrielle Union: From Sociology Graduate to Hollywood Star and Advocate
Gabrielle Union's journey is a testament to her resilience, talent, and unwavering commitment to using her platform for good. From her early life in Nebraska to her rise as a prominent actress, author, and advocate, Union's story is one of continuous growth and impact.
Early Life and Education: Laying the Foundation
Born Gabrielle Monique Union on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska, she is the daughter of Theresa (née Glass), a phone company manager and social worker, and Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant. Raised Catholic, Union learned early on the importance of independence and a "world perspective" from her mother, who took her to a gay pride parade at the age of eight after the family moved to Pleasanton, California.
Union attended Foothill High School, where she excelled as a year-round student athlete in soccer, track, and basketball. Reflecting on her college football memories, Union fondly recalled, "In my family, if you couldn't talk Cornhusker football-that means knowing the Blackshirt defense, knowing the I-back formation-then you don't get to have an opinion. When I first toured the Nebraska campus and I saw Turner Gill walk, I freaked out. That was like the biggest star-struck moment I've probably ever had in my life."
Before fully embracing her path in the entertainment industry, Gabrielle Union prioritized her education. Before hitting Hollywood as a superstar leading lady, Gabrielle Union attended UCLA and received a bachelor's degree in sociology. She also attended the University of Nebraska and Cuesta College.
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles: The Rise of a Star
Union started her acting career with minor roles, her first audition was for Saved by the Bell. In 1997, Union appeared in the sixth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine-"Sons and Daughters" as the Klingon N'Garen. She also appeared in Moesha as Ashli, Sister, Sister as Vanessa, in Smart Guy as Denise, and in five episodes of 7th Heaven as Keesha Hamilton. She also appeared on an episode of Friends, "The One with the Cheap Wedding Dress", as Kristen, a love interest to both Ross and Joey.
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In 2000, Union appeared in the film Love & Basketball. She then played the role of Isis in the cheerleading movie Bring It On, which helped push Union into the mainstream. Bring It On led to Union being cast in the CBS television drama City of Angels as Dr. Courtney Ellis. In 2001, Union was featured in The Brothers and was seen as having a "beguiling sincerity, even when she's fudging the truth."
Leading Roles and Critical Acclaim: Cementing Her Status
Union was cast in her first leading role in the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva. In 2003, Union landed the role of the main character Mike Lowrey's girlfriend, Syd, in the film Bad Boys II, a box-office success grossing more than $273 million worldwide. Union felt that she had been "blessed" with her role in the film, feeling it elevated her career. That same year, she lent her voice to the animated television series The Proud Family. The following year, she appeared in Something the Lord Made.
Union also starred in the 2004 film Breakin' All the Rules, which was unpopular with critics. She appeared in the 2005 film Neo Ned, portraying an African-American woman with delusions that she is Adolf Hitler. She starred in the 2005 remake of The Honeymooners. That year, Union also starred in the short-lived ABC series Night Stalker. She called the series a "reworking" rather than a remake. Union admitted that at the time of getting the script she was turned off, but she became interested after reading the script at her agent's insistence.
Union starred in the 2007 film Daddy's Little Girls by Tyler Perry. The role of Julia Rossmore, a romantically challenged attorney, was written with her in mind. Before working with Perry, she went to see his stage show to both understand him and his audience. She filmed Daddy's Little Girls in mid-2006 in Atlanta, Georgia. Union was praised for her character's portrayal and for having a "great sense of comedic timing". Union's character also drew comparisons to Eva, her role in Deliver Us from Eva. According to Union, Perry had specifically approached her over not turning the role into the same character. Union starred with Morris Chestnut in the 2007 Christmas film The Perfect Holiday.
In 2008, Union appeared on Ugly Betty for three episodes as Renee, Wilhelmina Slater's sister and Daniel Meade's love interest. She also made a cameo appearance in the music video for Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent". Union appeared in the 2008 film Cadillac Records. She portrayed Geneva Wade, who later married Muddy Waters. Union, who was reported to have signed on to the film in March 2008, was seen as a "pleasant surprise" in the film, and her performance was said to have shown she had larger acting range than her previous roles. Union later called taking the role of Geneva Wade in the film the best business decision she had ever made. Union appeared in the 2008 film Meet Dave, playing the love interest of the title character.
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After she was reported to be joining the cast in June 2010, Union appeared in episodes of Army Wives and NTSF:SD:SUV:: in 2010 and 2011. Union was reported in May 2011 to have landed roles in Think Like a Man, a romantic comedy based on Steve Harvey's book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, and an indie film, Family Tree. In June 2011, Union defended the music video for the Rihanna single "Man Down" after it sparked controversy for its depiction of a rape victim shooting and killing her attacker.
In January 2012, Union was announced to be a participant in Bounce TV's documentary Our History. In 2012, she played Natalie in the romantic comedy Good Deeds, playing the fiancée of the Wesley Deeds character. Union said that after she read the script, she became interested in working with Tyler Perry again and enjoyed working with the cast. She then appeared in Steve Harvey's film Think Like a Man. Union related to her character for having married and divorced young. She and Meagan Good were seen as having taken advantage of their "straightforward characters to add spots of comic zest as well." Her next appearance was In Our Nature. The film was the directorial debut of Brian Savelson.
Union reprised her role as Kristen in Think Like a Man Too in 2014, but it received mostly negative reviews. She believed the film would do well and faced comparisons to her character, who was a newlywed while Union was engaged at the time, a similarity she dispelled by insisting she kept her relationship "enjoyable, fresh and exciting". Union was announced in July 2014 as a producer in the Lifetime film With This Ring. She was featured in Chris Rock's Top Five, playing the fiancée of Rock's character. Union viewed her Top Five character as being similar to members of the Kardashian family or the Braxton sisters.
In November 2015, Union began voicing Nala in the Disney movie and series The Lion Guard. In October 2016, Union was featured in The Birth of a Nation as Esther, a slave in the Antebellum South who is raped by a white man. Union stated in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times that she took the role due to her relating to it as a rape victim herself. Later that year, Union had a prominent role as Rachel Meyers in the comedy film Almost Christmas, released in November.
In 2019, Union began starring as Syd Burnett in the Bad Boys spin-off L.A.'s Finest, a Charter Spectrum original series that premiered May 13 and was later renewed for a second season. Union was also a judge for the fourteenth season of America's Got Talent. In November 2019, the show failed to renew her contract for another season, allegedly because she spoke out against racism.
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In December 2020, it was announced that Union would star with Zach Braff in a remake of Cheaper by the Dozen. This movie was released in March 2022. In December 2021, she played Tootie Ramsey in The Facts of Life for Live in Front of a Studio Audience. In March 2022, she was cast as the lead for the third season of Truth Be Told on Apple TV+.
Beyond Acting: Author and Entrepreneur
Outside of acting, Union has also found success as an author. In April 2017, Union announced her first book, a memoir titled We're Going to Need More Wine. The book shares personal stories and thoughts on topics like womanhood, friendship, and marriage and was released on October 17, 2017. In May 2020, Union released her first children's book, Welcome to the Party. This book celebrates newborns and different kinds of families and was inspired by her daughter. She worked with her husband, Dwyane Wade, on a second children's book, Shady Baby, published in May 2021.
Union became a spokeswoman for Neutrogena in 2004. In 2010, she launched Love & Blessings, a clothing line for plus-sized women. This line was inspired by her sister. In March 2014, Union released her first wine, Vanilla Puddin'. In 2020, Union relaunched her haircare brand, Flawless. This brand is for women with textured hair. The products are affordable and help people customize their hair routine. That same year, she became a cofounder of Bitsy's. Union and her daughter Kaavia are part of the ownership group for Angel City FC.
Advocacy and Activism: A Voice for Change
Gabrielle Union is a strong supporter for survivors of attacks. She has spoken out for young people who have faced difficult experiences. Union also talks about how important therapy is.
Union spoke about the death of Trayvon Martin. She said that people with influence should speak out against injustice. She supported a petition to bring charges against George Zimmerman. Oprah Winfrey said she was inspired by Union's "Fierce and Fearless Award" speech.
Union is an Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Circle of Promise. In 2012, she launched the Women Are Watching campaign with other actresses. In 2020, Union worked with JusticeLA. They created a public service announcement about the health of people in L.A.
In 2008, Union supported Barack Obama in his presidential campaign. President Obama later asked her to work with the National Advisory Committee for Violence Against Women. Union was part of Obama's "Greater Together" initiative for his 2012 re-election campaign. In November 2014, the office of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a campaign called "Take a Stand." It included a short film with Union and Tika Sumpter.
Recognition and Influence
Union was named in the 2020 Time 100 list of most influential people. She and her husband, Dwyane Wade, received the President's Award for their work helping others.
Personal Life: Love and Family
Gabrielle Union met NFL player Chris Howard in 1999. They married on May 5, 2001, and separated in October 2005. Their marriage officially ended in 2006. Union later said she might have rushed into the relationship for the wrong reasons.
In 2008, Union started dating NBA player Dwyane Wade. They married on August 30, 2014, in Miami, Florida. Union became a stepmother to his three children. Before their marriage, Union stated that they would sign a prenuptial agreement to protect their individual assets.
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