Gabrielle Union-Wade is a renowned American actress who rose to fame in the 1990s. She appeared in numerous television sitcoms before securing supporting roles in popular teen movies She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999.
Early Life
Gabrielle Monique Union was born on October 29th, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska. She grew up in a household with a father serving in the military and a mother who instilled in her the value of independence. Her parents divorced after being married for three decades. Football was a beloved sport among her family members.
During her formative years, Gabrielle Union faced challenges with her self-confidence and identified herself as being unkind. At the age of 19, she was sexually assaulted by a thief while employed at Payless Shoes.
Eventually, she took legal action against the company for its lack of responsibility. Union pursued higher education at UCLA and successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Gabrielle Union-Wade’s Career
Gabrielle Union-Wade kicked off her career in 1990 with a variety of television gigs. She made her debut in popular shows like Saved by the Bell, Family Matters, and 7th Heaven. She also made brief appearances in three episodes of Sister, Sister. Additionally, in 1997, Union played a Klingon character in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Gabrielle Union-Wade’s career began to skyrocket at the beginning of the 21st century. In 1999, she landed her first major film role in She’s All That, followed by a role in the beloved film 10 Things I Hate About You. The following year, in 2000, Gabrielle Union made a breakthrough with her performance in Love & Basketball.
Following her role in Bring It On, she solidified her status as a well-known Hollywood star. In the highly popular cheerleading film, Union co-starred alongside Kirsten Dunst. The movie earned $90 million in ticket sales and gained a devoted following.
After Bring It On, Union’s achievements in the Union led to numerous opportunities in both movies and TV shows. She starred in The Brothers and Two Can Play at That Game in 2001, and also secured a recurring role as Dr. Courtney Ellis on CBS’s City of Angels. That same year, she made a notable guest appearance on the popular sitcom Friends.
In 2003, Gabrielle Union-Wade had a packed schedule as she landed her first major role in the movie Deliver Us From Eva. Her portrayal was highly praised by critics for its multifaceted and subtle approach. She then went on to appear in Bad Boys II as the girlfriend of Will Smith‘s character that same year.
According to Gabrielle Union, the role helped advance her career, similarly to how Bring it On had in the past. She concluded 2003 with a role in Cradle 2 the Grave, featuring Jet Li and DMX.
Gabrielle Union-Wade made appearances in three episodes of Ugly Betty as “Renee Slater” in 2008. To everyone’s surprise, she also landed a role in Cadillac Records that year, garnering praise from critics for her impressive acting skills and adaptability.
She ended 2008 by playing the love interest of Eddie Murphy in Meet Dave. In the following two years, she made appearances in television shows like Life and Flash Forward.
She made an appearance in Think Like a Man Too in 2014, but the sequel was not as successful as the first film. The following year, Union displayed her voice acting abilities as the voice of Nala in Disney’s The Lion Guard.
In the following year, she joined the cast of The Birth of a Nation as a black slave who was sexually assaulted by a white man. She ended 2016 with a significant role in Almost Christmas. In 2019, she began starring in L.A.’s Finest, a spin-off TV show inspired by the Bad Boys franchise.
Personal Life
In 1999, Gabrielle Union-Wade and NFL player Chris Howard met and then wed in 2001. Their divorce was officially completed in 2006. Two years later, in 2008, Union began a relationship with NBA player Dwayne Wade.
They tied the knot in 2014, making Union the stepmother to Wade’s three children. In 2018, Union and Wade welcomed a child via surrogacy.
Net Worth
With a net worth of $40 million, Gabrielle Union-Wade, an American actress and former model, has become a highly accomplished figure in the entertainment industry.
Her marriage to NBA player Dwayne Wade has also contributed to her wealth. Through her roles in various popular movies, Union has solidified her status as one of the most prosperous actresses in the present day.
