Gabrielle Union is an actress and former model with an estimated net worth of $18 million. Today, Union is most well-known for being the future Mrs. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, however the 41-year old actress has been in show business for over 20 years. Among Gabrielle’s most notable film roles are a cheerleader alongside Kirsten Dunst in the 2000 comedy Bring it On and the 2008 film Cadillac Records alongside Adrien Brody. Union has appeared in over 30 movies total (mostly supporting roles) over a span of 15 years. She’s also done her fair share of television work as well. Starting in 1993 on the hit TV show Family Matters, Union would go on to appear in over 30 television shows including playing a medical doctor in City of Angels.
As mentioned above, Union has been in the news most recently for her relationship with NBA star Dwyane Wade. The couple is set to marry at the end of August 2014 after less than a year of being engaged. The former model will continue to appear in film and television after her marriage to Wade.
Those are the basics about Gabrielle Union that you may already know, here’s what you may not know…
With Honors
Born Gabrielle Monique Union to her mother, a former dancer and social worker, and her father, a phone company manager, this chick is pretty smart. Union graduated from UCLA with honors studying sociology. Her academic career started at Nebraska because of her family’s intense love for the school, but she finished in Los Angeles.
Athletes Galore
Some celebrities prefer other actors others prefer athletes – Union is the latter. Gabrielle dated former NBA player Jason Kidd and eventually married former NFL player Chris Howard. The couple married in 2001 and were divorced in 2006. That lead her to her future husband Dwyane Wade.
Busta Rhymes
As we mentioned at the top Union did her fair share of modeling work outside of acting. In between acting and modeling is appearing in hip-hop music videos. Union appeared in Busta Rhymes’ music video for the song I Love My Chick in 2006. Fortunately, it was the only music video she’s ever appeared in. We think!
Ambassador
Gabrielle is an Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Circle of promise. She ran in the Global Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 2, 2012 in honor of her late friend Kristen Martinez, who died of breast cancer. She also is active in supporting the fight against HIV and Aids.
Favorite TV Shows
Union isn’t the star of dozens of films or TV shows, but she’s done three major things that all people of her generation will appreciate. She appeared on Family Matters, Saved by the Bell and played Will Smith’s girlfriend in Bad Boys II. Believe it or not there are only a few actors or actresses that can say they completed the Family Matters/Saved by the Bell double – none of which also have the honor of playing Will Smith’s significant other. Congrats!
Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images
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