Niecy Nash, whose real name is Carol Denise Betts, is a well-known American performer, who has worked in film, comedy, and as a TV presenter. She started acting in the late 1990s and appeared in movies such as Boys on the Side (1995) and Cookie’s Fortune (1999).
Early Life
Carol Denise Ensley, also known as Niecy Nash Betts, was born on February 23, 1970, in Palmdale, California. She grew up in South Central Los Angeles and became intrigued by the world of entertainment at the age of five after watching Lola Falana on TV. Tragically, when Nash was fifteen, she witnessed her mother being shot by her abusive partner.
Following the tragic death of her younger brother, Michael, in a school shooting in 1993, Nash’s mother established the organization M.A.V.I.S. (Mothers Against Violence In Schools).
Niecy Nash Betts herself later became a representative for the organization, which aims to raise awareness about the violence that children face in schools. Nash furthered her education by enrolling at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.
Niecy Nash Betts’ Career
In 1995, Niecy Nash’s first appearance as a professional actress was in the comedy-drama movie Boys on the Side alongside Whoopi Goldberg. She made guest appearances on several television shows, including NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Reba, Girlfriends, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and ER.
Additionally, she had a part in the 1999 comedy Cookie’s Fortune, directed by Robert Altman, and had a recurring role in the 2000 CBS drama City of Angels.
From 2003 to 2009, she portrayed Deputy Raineesha Williams and T.T. on the Comedy Central show Reno 911! She was also the host of Clean House on the Style Network from 2003 to 2010.
Additionally, she lent her voice to the character of Mrs. Boots on ABC Family’s animated series Slacker Cats. In 2008, she starred as Rhonda alongside Jerry O’Connell in the brief Fox sitcom Do Not Disturb.
From 2003 to 2005, she appeared as Bernie’s sister Bonita on The Bernie Mac Show. In 2010, Nash received a Daytime Emmy for her role as producer and host of Clean House: The Messiest Home in the Country, winning in the category of Outstanding Special Class Special.
In March 2010, Niecy Nash Betts joined the cast of the tenth season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired with Louis van Amstel.
Despite making it to the fifth round, the duo was eliminated on May 11. The following year, she starred in her own reality show, Leave It To Niecy, on TLC, which focused on her life with her new husband and stepson. However, the show was quickly canceled.
In the same year, she also appeared in a TLC special about her wedding. Nash has also acted in several films, including Code Name: The Cleaner (2007), Reno 911!: Miami (2007), Cook Off! (2007), Not Easily Broken (2009), G-Force (2009), and Trust Me (2013).
Between 2015 and 2016, Niecy Nash Betts had multiple television roles including co-starring in the Fox show Scream Queens as a security guard and FBI Agent Denise Hemphill. She also appeared in the Fox comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine as the sister of actor Andre Braugher.
In addition, she was given the lead role in the Fox pilot The Enforcers, but unfortunately, it did not get picked up for a full series. Niecy Nash Betts also had a recurring part as Louise Bell in the Showtime drama Masters of Sex during this time.
Niecy Nash Betts was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the TV category in July 2018. She was also revealed to be the star and producer of the late-night talk show Naked With Niecy Nash on TNT in August 2018.
Additionally, Ava DuVernay chose her to be part of the cast for the Netflix drama series When They See Us, which received critical acclaim. Nash’s performance earned her praise and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
Towards the end of 2022, Niecy Nash Betts took on the role of Glenda Cleveland in the Netflix limited series, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which focused on true crime. Her performance was well-received by critics.
Personal Life
Nash was married to Don Nash, a minister, for 13 years. They divorced in 2007 and have three kids. In 2010, Nash got engaged to Jay Tucker. TLC filmed a reality show about their wedding preparations.
They married on May 28, 2011, in Malibu. Nash announced her divorce from Tucker on Instagram on October 30, 2019. The divorce was finalized on June 21, 2020.
On August 29, 2020, Niecy Nash Betts married singer Jessica Betts. She calls Betts her “hersband”. Nash hasn’t labeled herself or identified with any sexual orientation. She feels she’s not “coming out” because she wasn’t sexually repressed before her marriage.
Net Worth
Niecy Nash, an American comedian, actress, and producer, has a net worth of $5 million. She is recognized for her performances on popular TV shows like “Reno 911!,” “The Soul Man,” “Getting On,” “Scream Queens,” and “Claws.”
She has also made appearances in the limited series “When They See Us” and “Mrs. America,” and served as the host of the renovation and interior design program “Clean House.”
