Nia Long began to study acting, dance and other performance arts from an early age, but her first actual screen role was in 1986, at the age of 16. She had a part in the Disney movie BRAT patrol.

Her next role was in 1991, when she was 21 and played Kat Speakes in the soap opera Guiding Light. Then from 1994-95 she became more famous when she played Lisa, the girlfriend of Will Smith's character in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. After that her career took off and she appeared in a number of TV shows, including the international hit Boston Legal, and films including Boys n the Hood. She has also directed music videos and won acting awards.

Nia Long has a 12 year old son by her first marriage and now has a second son born in 2011. She has said she isn't yet ready to marry again.