Sanaa Lathan Headshot

Sanaa Lathan

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Sanaa Lathan BIO

Sanaa Lathan is an accomplished actress with a career spanning over two decades. Born in New York City in 1971, Lathan grew up in a family of artists. Her mother, Eleanor McCoy, was a Broadway actress, and her father, Stan Lathan, was a television producer and director. Lathan's parents divorced when she was young, and she was primarily raised by her mother in Harlem.
Lathan attended the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where she honed her craft and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. She made her Broadway debut in 1995 in the play "The Young Man From Atlanta," for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Lathan's performance in the play was widely praised, and she quickly became a sought-after stage actress.
In addition to her stage work, Lathan has also had a successful career in film and television. She made her film debut in 1998 in the romantic comedy "Blade," and has since appeared in numerous films, including "Love & Basketball," "Brown Sugar," "Alien vs. Predator," and "The Best Man Holiday." Lathan has also had recurring roles on several television shows, including "Nip/Tuck," "The Cleveland Show," and "Shots Fired."
Despite her success in film and television, Lathan has always remained committed to her roots in theater. In 2003, she returned to Broadway to star in the play "A Raisin in the Sun," alongside Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, and Audra McDonald. The play, which was a revival of the classic Lorraine Hansberry drama, was a critical and commercial success, and Lathan received rave reviews for her performance.
Lathan has also made a name for herself in the world of voice acting. She has lent her voice to several animated projects, including the Disney film "Zootopia," in which she played the character of Chief Bogo. Lathan has also narrated several audiobooks, including "The Darkest Child" by Delores Phillips and "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis.
In addition to her acting work, Lathan is also an advocate for several charitable causes. She is a supporter of the Black AIDS Institute and has served as a spokeswoman for the organization. Lathan has also been involved with the Women's Sports Foundation, which promotes gender equality in sports.
Throughout her career, Lathan has received numerous accolades for her work. In addition to her Tony Award nomination, she has also been nominated for several NAACP Image Awards and has won two BET Awards. Lathan was also named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2000.

Sanaa Lathan Photos

Sanaa Lathan STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Second Stage Theatre Production, 2011
Vera Stark

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Beneatha Younger

[Off-Broadway]
2001
Isabella

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Tamara


Sanaa Lathan Movies

Drive
[ 1997 ] Carolyn Brody
Blade
[ 1998 ] Vanessa
The Wood
[ 1999 ] Alicia
Life
[ 1999 ] Daisy
The Best Man
[ 1999 ] Robin
Catfish in Black Bean Sauce
[ 1999 ] Nina
Love & Basketball
[ 2000 ] Monica Wright
Brown Sugar
[ 2002 ] SidneySydShaw
Out of Time
[ 2003 ] Ann Merai Harrison
Alien vs. Predator
[ 2004 ] Alexa Woods
Something New
[ 2006 ] Kenya Denise McQueen
The Family That Preys
[ 2008 ] Andrea
Wonderful World
[ 2009 ] Khadi
Powder Blue
[ 2009 ] Diana
Contagion
[ 2011 ] Aubrey Cheever
Repentance
[ 2013 ] Maggie Carter
The Best Man Holiday
[ 2013 ] Robyn
The Perfect Guy
[ 2015 ] Leah
Approaching the Unknown
[ 2016 ] Emily Maddox
Now You See Me 2
[ 2016 ] Deputy Director Natalie Austin
American Assassin
[ 2017 ] Irene Kennedy
Nappily Ever After
[ 2018 ] Violet
Native Son
[ 2019 ] Trudy Thom
On the Come Up
[ 2022 ] Jay

Sanaa Lathan TV Shows

Family Guy
Donna Tubbs, Fangirl, Backup Singer
Harley Quinn
Catwoman
The Affair
Janelle Wilson
The Cleveland Show
Donna Tubbs

Sanaa Lathan Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Sanaa Lathan, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark


winner
The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Sanaa Lathan, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2004 - Performance

Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun

Sanaa Lathan Videos

Sanaa Lathan News


Video: Watch Sanaa Lathan & HGTV Week on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW


Discover the latest on HGTV Week featuring Sanaa Lathan, Egypt Sherrod, and Mike Jackson. Dive into behind-the-scenes stories and insights from 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' writer. Watch new videos from the episode now!

Video: SHUCKED Songwriter Brandy Clark Visits THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW


Grammy Award-winning country music artist Brandy Clark stops by and tells Jennifer about her first Grammy win after 17 nominations, revealing how she knew she'd won before her name was announced.  Brandy also shares how her collaboration with Brandi Carlile came about. Watch the new videos from the episode now!

Video: Watch HGTV Week & Will.i.am on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW


WILL.I.AM discusses surprise Super Bowl performance and thoughts on artificial intelligence. HGTV's Brian Kleinschmidt shares 'American Idol' audition experience and working with wife Mika. Watch the videos from the episode now!

Vide: Watch Billy Gardell on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW


Jennifer looks ahead to the 2024 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday, February 16, and performing during half-time for the All-Star Game on Sunday, February 18. Then Billy Gardell joins Jennifer and reflects on getting his big break in “Mike and Molly” with Melissa McCarthy. Watch the videos from the episode!

THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Teams With HGTV For Special Week Of Programming


Stars from across HGTV's leading home renovation and lifestyle series will join the nationally syndicated talk show February 19-23, including Home Town's Erin & Ben Napier, Page Turner from Rock the Block, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt from 100 Day Dream Home, and Egypt Sherrod & Mike Jackson from Married to Real Estate.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Announces 2024 Season


The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company announces a season of performance, residencies, and exciting community activities that features new works, new productions, and most importantly welcomes new choreographers, dancers, artists, and collaborators to create groundbreaking work that bridges the cultural divide, gives honor and justice to diverse heritage, and amplify the artistic voices seldom heard outside the immigrant community.

HBO Acquires GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT Documentary Film


From directors and producers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson (“American Promise,” “Stateless”), producer Tommy Oliver (HBO’s “40 Years A Prisoner,” “Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss”), and executive producers Taraji P. Henson and Codie Elaine Oliver, the film premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival.

Warner Theatre To Screen LOVE & BASKETBALL And HIDDEN FIGURES This Month


The Warner Theatre's Winter Film series continues with Love & Basketball, February 16 at 7 pm in the Oneglia Auditorium! The following Thursday, the Warner will present Hidden Figures on February 23, 7 pm in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.  

Harlem School Of The Arts Announces May 1st Date For Its First In-Person Gala Since The Pandemic


After three years without its main fundraising event, the 59-year-old Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) has announced the return of its annual Gala, to be held at the world famous Plaza Hotel on Monday, May 1st, 2023 (6:30pm - 9:00pm).

Broadway Streaming Guide: February 2023 - How to Hear the KIMBERLY AKIMBO Cast Recording & More


This February, Broadway fans will be treated with several new albums, concerts, and television shows to binge. Check out what's coming to streaming this month, including new classic movie musicals like The Music Man, to new Broadway cast recordings from Kimberly Akimbo and KPOP!

VIDEO: Peacock Shares THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS Official Teaser


The video teaser premiered exclusively at Urbanworld Film Festival where the original The Best Man film premiered in 1999, a full circle moment for the franchise. Based upon the film franchise by Malcolm D. Lee, The series stars Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Harold Perrineau.

HBO Max Renews HARLEY QUINN Adult-Animated Series For A Fourth Season


In season three of the biting and uproarious adult animated comedy series, Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) wrap up their “Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour” and return to Gotham as the new power couple of DC villainy. Along with their ragtag crew – King Shark (Ron Funches), Clayface (Alan Tudyk), Frank the Plant (JB Smoove).

HBO/HBO Max Receive 140 Emmy Nominations


HBO/HBO Max earned the most nominations for a single network or platform this year, marking the 20th time in history that the HBO brand has received the most Primetime Emmy® nominations of any network/platform in a single year. This bests HBO’s previous record of 137 nominations in 2019.

Andrew Garfield, Jodie Comer, Steve Martin & More Earn 2022 Emmy Nominations - See the Full List!


Check out the complete list of Emmy nominations, which include Andrew Garfield, Steve Martin, Jodie Comer, Tony Awards Presents: Broadways Back!, Annie LIVE!, Jane Lynch, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Nathan Lane, Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalom, Mare Winningham, Laurie Metcalf, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, and more!

HBO Max Announces HARLEY QUINN's Season Three Return


The mayhem and madness continue in season three of this biting and uproarious adult animated comedy series. Wrapping up their “Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour,” Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) return to Gotham as the new power couple of DC villainy. The cast also includes Alan Tudyk (Clayface/The Joker), Matt Oberg (Kite Man), and more.

The 20th Annual Imagenation Outdoors Festival to Launch with Aretha Franklin Bio-Pic RESPECT


ImageNation Film Festival's 20th Annual ImageNation Outdoors Festival kicks off Saturday July 9th thru September 10, 2022. 

Page 73 Gala To Honor Producer Barbara Whitman


Page 73 announces the 2022 Page 73 Spring Benefit. The event this year honors Barbara Whitman, producer of A Strange Loop on Broadway and, previously, of Fun Home, the 2018 revival of Angels in America, The Humans, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Next to Normal, to name just a few.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Is Now Accepting Nominations for the 2022 Barbara Whitman Award


Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announced today that nominations for the 2022 Barbara Whitman Award are now being accepted through December 21, 2021.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph Joins Cast of ON THE COME UP


Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Method Man, and Mike Epps have been announced to join the cast of Paramount's new rap film, On The Come Up. The film is written and directed by Sanaa Lathan. Jamila C. Gray was previously announced to star. Based on Angie Thomas' novel of the same name, it takes place in the same universe as Thomas' book The Hate U Give.

HBO Renews Drama Series SUCCESSION For A Fourth Season


Succession explores themes of power and family through the eyes of patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his four grown children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Siobhan (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Connor (Alan Ruck). The series’ second season won a total of seven Emmys®, including Outstanding Drama Series. Watch the trailer for season 3 now!

Sanaa Lathan FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Sanaa Lathan been in?

Sanaa Lathan has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Sanaa Lathan been in?

Sanaa Lathan has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Sanaa Lathan been nominated for?

Sanaa Lathan has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark," Outstanding Lead Actress at The Lortels for the same production, a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun," and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun."

What awards has Sanaa Lathan won?

Sanaa Lathan has won the Outstanding Lead Actress award at The Lortels for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" and the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun."

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