Regina King is an actress and director who first rose to fame playing Brenda Jenkins on the NBC sitcom “227.” Regina King has a net worth of $16 million. She has also had notable roles in the films “Friday,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “Ray,” as well as on the television series “Southland,” “American Crime,” and “Watchmen.” After winning an Academy Award for her performance in “If Beale Street Could Talk,”
Who is Regina King?
Regina Rene King was born on January 15, 1971. Regina’s father, Thomas, was an electrician, and her mother, Gloria, was a special education teacher. King started her career when she was still in school. She was 15 when she began her acting career in 1985 with NBC’s comedy sitcom 227. The show had a great five-year run, starting in 1985. Regina played Brenda Jenkins in 227, Marla and Hal’s daughter. Her role earned her two Young Artists Awards nominations.
Regina King Early Life
Regina King was born on January 15, 1971 in Los Angeles, California to electrician Thomas and special education teacher Gloria. She has a younger sister named Reina. When King was a child, her parents divorced. She attended Westchester High School, and went on to enroll at the University of Southern California.
Regina King Television Career
King has gone on to have a prolific and acclaimed television career since her time on “227.” In the 90s, she was in episodes of “Northern Exposure,” “New York Undercover,” and “Living Single,” and appeared in the television film “Where the Truth Lies.” In the early 2000s, she had a main role on the short-lived NBC sitcom “Leap of Faith.” A bigger part came in 2005, when King began voicing the main characters of Riley and Huey Freeman on the animated series “The Boondocks.” In 2007, King joined the cast of “24” for the show’s sixth season, playing the main role of Sandra Palmer. The actress landed another leading part as Detective Lydia Adams on the crime drama “Southland,” which ran from 2009 to 2013. Following this, King appeared in six episodes of “The Big Bang Theory,” three episodes of “The Strain,” and four episodes of “Shameless.”
Regina King Movies Career
Following the conclusion of “227,” King landed a supporting role in
John Singleton’s acclaimed 1991 directorial debut “Boyz n the Hood.” She subsequently appeared in Singleton’s next two films: 1993’s “Poetic Justice,” costarring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, and 1995’s “Higher Learning,” with Omar Epps, Ice Cube, Jennifer Connelly, Tyra Banks, and Laurence Fishburne, among others. Also in 1995, King had a supporting role in the hit buddy stoner comedy “Friday,” starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. The next year, she appeared in the Martin Lawrence comedy “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” and gained widespread recognition for her role in the blockbuster romcom “Jerry Maguire.” King’s star continued to rise with major roles in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Enemy of the State,” “Mighty Joe Young,” and “Love and Action in Chicago.
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Regina King Famous Movies
- Friday
- A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
- How Stella Got Her Groove Back
- Enemy of the State
- Mighty Joe Young
- Love and Action in Chicago
- Down to Earth
- Daddy Day Care
Regina King Directing Career
In addition to acting, King has made a name for herself as a director. She began in 2013 by directing an episode of “Southland.” Next, she directed six episodes of the BET drama series “Being Mary Jane” and two episodes of the ABC political thriller “Scandal.” King’s other television directing credits include episodes of “The Catch,” “Animal Kingdom,” “Greenleaf,” “Pitch,” “This is Us,” “Shameless,” “The Good Doctor,” and “Insecure.” As a film director, King made her debut in 2020 with the historical drama “One Night in Miami…,” based on the eponymous play by Kemp Powers. The film focuses on the historic 1964 meeting between four prominent African-American figures: Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. A major critical success, “One Night in Miami…” earned King a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director, making her only the second black woman to be nominated for that award.
Regina King Personal Life
Regina King was previously married to former recording artist and music executive who once served as vice president of Warner Bros. Records, Ian Alexander. The couple were married for around 10 years from 1997 to 2007, having previously dated for a while. However, King filed for divorce after allegedly cheating on her. The couple share a son, Ian Alexander, Jr. who was born on January 19, 1996, a year before King and Alexander Sr. exchanged their vows. Ian Alexander Jr. reportedly followed in his mother’s footsteps to pursue acting. He is best known for his work on Yo Gabba Gabba! (2007) and The Snowy Day (2016).
FAQs
What is Regina King’s net worth?
Regina King’s net worth is estimated at $16 million. This wealth comes from her successful career as an actress, director, and producer.
What was Regina King’s first acting role?
Regina King’s first major acting role was as Brenda Jenkins on the NBC sitcom 227, which she started in 1985 when she was just 15 years old.
Has Regina King won any major awards?
Yes, Regina King won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018). She has also won Golden Globe Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards for her acting and directing.
What are some of Regina King’s famous movies?
Some of Regina King’s notable films include Friday, Jerry Maguire, Ray, Poetic Justice, Enemy of the State, Mighty Joe Young, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
Conclusion
Regina King is a highly accomplished actress and director whose career spans decades, marked by iconic roles in both television and film. From her breakout role on 227 to her award-winning performances in If Beale Street Could Talk, King has become a respected figure in Hollywood. Her talents extend beyond acting, as she has successfully transitioned into directing, with notable works such as One Night in Miami… earning critical acclaim. Regina King’s impact in the entertainment industry is undeniable, making her a prominent and influential figure in both acting and directing.
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