Sanaa Lathan, a prominent US actress, is famous for her role in “Now You See Me 2,” among other films. Throughout her long Hollywood career, she has earned several awards, such as the NAACP Image Award and the Black Reel Award.
In 2015, theaters welcomed her film “The Perfect Guy.” Notably, she has secured Best Actress at the BET Awards and Best Female Lead at the Theatre World Awards. Interestingly, her name, Sanaa, translates to “artistry” in Arabic. From 2009 to 2013, she also lent her voice to Donna Tubbs in “The Cleveland Show” and “Family Guy.”
Sanaa’s filmography includes “The Best Man” (1999) and its 2013 sequel, “The Best Man Holiday.” Moreover, her other notable films are “Love & Basketball” (2000), “Brown Sugar” (2002), “Alien vs. Predator” (2004), “Something New” (2006), “The Family That Preys” (2008), “Contagion” (2011), and “Now You See Me 2” (2016).
Beyond her awards, let’s delve into a more personal understanding of this talented and beautiful actress, exploring her background, personal life, and life philosophy.
Sanaa Lathan Biography/Wiki
| Celebrated Name: | Sanaa Lathan |
|---|---|
| Real Name/Full Name: | Sanaa McCoy Lathan |
| Gender: | Female |
| Age: | 52 years old |
| Birth Date: | 19 September 1971 |
| Birth Place: | New York, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.7 m |
| Weight: | 56 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Father: | Stan Lathan |
| Mother | Eleanor McCoy |
| Siblings | Arielle Lathan, Colette Lathan, Lilane Lathan, Tendaji Lathan |
| Profession: | American actress |
| Net Worth in 2023: | $5 million |
Birth and Family
In short, Sanaa McCoy Lathan was born in September 1971 in New York City. However, she was raised by her parents and siblings, including Tendaji Lathan; she grew up in a family that worked in the entertainment industry. Moreover, her father, Stan Lathan, worked behind the scenes in television for PBS as a television show producer, and her mother, Eleanor McCoy, was a Broadway actor and dancer.
However, Tendaji Lathan, her brother, is a well-known established DJ. Lathan earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, before going on to Yale University to get a master’s degree in theatre.
Education
Sanaa Lathan’s adolescence was a trying time for her. Moreover, she has indicated that she was a latchkey kid with absent parents. As a result, she was forced to live with relatives who were drug addicts. In the years thereafter, she has maintained a strong relationship with her parents.
Meanwhile, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Berkeley. Later, she went on to Yale University to get her master’s degree in theatre.
Early Life
Sanaa Lathan initially pursued theater in New York before moving to California to appear on various TV shows and landing her first movie role in “Drive.” She then starred in “Blade,” “Daisy,” “The Wood,” and “The Best Man.” However, her leading role in “Love & Basketball” as Monica brought her critical acclaim, followed by the box office hit “Alien vs. Predator.”
In 2017, her performance in the TV miniseries “Shots Fired” earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress. Moreover, Sanaa began producing in 2018 with the Netflix original “Nappily Ever After.” Her theater work includes “A Raisin in the Sun” on Broadway, leading to a Tony Award nomination.
Furthermore, she has received multiple NAACP Image Award nominations, including Best Actress in a Motion Picture for “To Take Arms,” Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for “The Best Man,” and Best Actress for her outstanding role in “Love & Basketball.”
Sanaa Lathan Career
After studying English theater, Sanaa Lathan pursued acting. She started in Shakespeare plays, earning acclaim off-Broadway and in Los Angeles. Soon, she made Los Angeles her professional base.
In Hollywood, Lathan appeared in early sitcom episodes like “Family Matters,” “In the House,” “Moesha,” and “NYPD Blue.” Her role in “To Take Arms” quickly earned her a Los Angeles NAACP Theatrical Award nomination for Best Actress.
By 1998, Lathan gained fame as Wesley Snipes’ mother in “Blade.” Later, she took on roles in major films.
In 2000, she starred in “Love & Basketball” and won a BET Award and an NAACP Image Award for her performance in 2001.
In 2003, she featured in “Alien vs. Predator,” a global hit. Then, in 2009, she joined Matthew Broderick in “Wonderful World” and voiced Donna Tubbs in “The Cleveland Show” until 2013.
In 2011, Lathan starred in “Contagion” with a star-studded cast and played in “Repentance.” She also joined “Boss” as Mona Fredricks alongside Kelsey Grammer.
In 2016, she appeared in “Now You See Me 2” and “Approaching the Unknown.”
She returned to TV in 2017 in “Shots Fired” and “American Assassin,” then joined “The Affair” and starred in “Nappily Ever After” on Netflix.
Finally, in January 2021, she landed the role of Lisa Arthur in Season 3 of “Succession.”
Sanaa Lathan Husband
Sanaa Lathan, best known for her role in Nappily Ever After, is a tremendously successful actress in her late 40s. Therefore, we want to know who the players are. However, the actress, who is 46 years old, is content to be alone yet eager to socialize. Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Health, the actress stated that she will not be with someone just of their appearance. She spreads rumors about her desire for a life mate. But, while that stage of her life is still ongoing, Lathan enjoys her freedom while surrounded by the affection of her family and friends. “Anything less than something extraordinary is unacceptable,” she says.”
However, Lathan depicted it in the film Nappily Ever After, not one to remain or become engrossed in a fairy tale. She stated that if there is a companion for her out there, she welcomes him, but that she is whole and does not require someone to complete her life. To clarify, she is not married and does not have a husband on the side.
Sanaa Lathan Boyfriend
Sanaa Lathan doesn’t appear to take having children for granted. While she admits to having gone on a few dates, there is no sign she is in a relationship.
Meanwhile, in the past, Sanaa Lathan has been associated with several high-profile celebrities, including her Love & Basketball co-star Omar Epp. She has been photographed on dates with Tyrese Gibson (in both 2008 and 2014), two former NBA players, Adewale Ogunleye and Terrell Owen, music entrepreneur Steve Rifkind, and then pictures of her and Moroccan-American hip-hop recording artist, French Montana, have flooded the internet at one point, sparking rumors of an intimate relationship.
Sanaa Lathan Kids
One thing is certain: Sanaa Lathan will always choose herself over an unfulfilling relationship, whether she has a life partner or not. Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that she will meet the proper partner with whom to spend her life and have children.
Sanaa Lathan & Her Movies and TV Shows
Movies
| Year | Movie name |
| 1997 | Drive |
| 1997 | Miracle in the Woods |
| 1998 | Blade |
| 1999 | Life |
| 1999 | Catfish in Black Bean Sauce |
| 1999 | The Wood |
| 1999 | The Best Man |
| 2000 | Love & Basketball |
| 2000 | The Smoker |
| 2000 | Disappearing Acts |
| 2002 | Brown Sugar |
| 2003 | Out of Time |
| 2004 | Alien vs. Predator |
| 2005 | The Golden Blaze |
| 2006 | Something New |
| 2008 | A Raisin in the Sun |
| 2008 | The Family That Preys |
| 2009 | Wonderful World |
| 2009 | Powder Blue |
Sanaa Lathan TV Shows
| Title | Notes |
| In the House | Episode: “The Curse of Hill House” |
| Moesha | Episodes: “A Concerted Effort” (Parts 1 & 2) |
| Family Matters | Episode: “Revenge of the Nerd” |
| Built to Last | Episode: “Pilot” |
| NYPD Blue | Episode: “You’re Under a Rasta” |
| LateLine | Main Cast |
| Nip/Tuck | Recurring Cast: Season 4 |
| The Cleveland Show | Main Cast |
| Family Guy | Recurring Cast: Season 8– |
| Boss | Main Cast: Season 2 |
| Real Husbands of Hollywood | Episode: “Rolling with My Roomie” |
| Punk’d | Episode: “Sanaa Lathan & Trey Songz” |
| Shots Fired | Main Cast |
| The Affair | Main Cast: Season 4–5 |
| The Twilight Zone | Episode: “Replay” |
| Harley Quinn | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| Solos | Episode: “Sasha” |
| Hit & Run | Main Cast |
| Succession | Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
| The Best Man: The Final Chapters | Main Cast |
Sanaa Lathan Awards and Nominations
2001
In 2001, Sanaa Lathan earned a BET Award nomination and victory for Best Actress in “Love & Basketball.” She also received nominations for Independent Spirit Awards and Black Reel Awards for the same film, winning the latter. She received another Black Reel nomination for “Disappearing Acts” and won an NAACP Image Award for “Love & Basketball.”
2003
In 2003, “Brown Sugar” brought her NAACP Image and Black Reel nominations, and “A Raisin in the Sun” earned her a Tony Award nod.
2004
In 2004, Lathan was up for the NAACP Image and Black Reel Awards for “Out Of Time,” winning the latter. She also claimed the Theatre World Award for “A Raisin in the Sun.”
2006
In 2006, she received two Black Reel nominations for “Something New.”
2007
In 2007, Lathan earned two NAACP Image Award nominations for “Something New” and “Nip/Tuck.”
2008
In 2008, she received a Black Reel nomination for “The Family That Preys.”
2009
In 2009, “A Raisin in the Sun” led to an NAACP Image Award nomination.
2012
In 2012, Lathan won the Lucille Lortel Award and was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark.”
2016
In 2016, she earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for “The Perfect Guy.”
2019
Finally, in 2019, Lathan received two NAACP Image Award nominations for her roles in “Nappily Ever After” and “The Affair.”
Sanaa Lathan Net Worh
Sanaa Lathan has undoubtedly been laughing all the way to the bank with her significant roles in movies and TV series over the years. She boasts a net worth of $4 million and avoids flaunting her wealth. Furthermore, she channels her success and funds into giving back to the community. Specifically, she founded The Sanaa Lathan Foundation. This organization focuses on helping young women transition from foster care to adult life in society. It aims to provide them with educational opportunities to thrive in their chosen fields. Thus, her initiative supports these women in building successful futures.
Sanaa Lathan bit Beyoncé
Tiffany Haddish alleged that at a party she attended, an actress “bit Beyoncé in the face” while on drugs.
However, Haddish’s statements generated conjecture about who the person may be, with fingers pointing at Lena Dunham, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, and Natalie Portman as possible possibilities.
Despite her tweeting at the moment, “Y’all are funny,” sources later revealed that Lathan was the perpetrator. Moreover, she said, “I did not bite Beyoncé under any circumstances, and if I did, it was a love bite.”
Now, in a new interview with Health magazine, Lathan addresses the claims, saying, “It blew out.” And I believe that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
Sanaa Lathan Upcoming Movies
During her stellar quarter-century career, Sanaa Lathan has portrayed everything from a hard-boiled DOJ detective to an alien slayer. However, she can now add Black Jewish journalists to that list, courtesy of her upcoming part in Netflix’s geopolitical spy thriller Hit & Run.
Meanwhile, Sanaa Lathan has a few upcoming movies named Nomadland, The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Promising Young Woman, One Night in Miami, Soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Omar Epps married to Sanaa Lathan?
Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps subsequently became estranged. He then married singer Keisha Epps, his prior girlfriend and the mother of his kid. They’ve been married for more than a decade.
How old is Shania Lathan?
50 years (19th September 1971)
Does Sanaa Lathan have siblings?
Obviously, she does have siblings named Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Arielle Lathan, and Lilane Lathan.
How tall is the actress Sanaa Lathan?
1.7 m
What does the name Sanaa mean?
Sanaa is a mostly female Arabic name; however, that means ‘Brightness’ or ‘Radiance.’
Was Shemar Moore married to Sanaa Lathan?
Though Sanaa Lathan and Shemar Moore married in 1991, they divorced in 1996.
