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Sanaa Lathan Biography

Birth Name:Sanaa McCoy Lathan

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Received the Harlem School of the Arts Visionary Artist Award in 2016
  • Participated in a charity performance of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" that raised funds for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust in 2010
  • Earned her degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley
  • Graduated with a master's degree from Yale School of Drama
  • Born to actress Eleanor McCoy and producer Stan Lathan
  • Sister to DJ Tendaji Lathan
  • Made her Broadway debut in "A Raisin in the Sun" in 2004
  • Planned on becoming a lawyer before deciding to pursue an acting career

Awards

  • 2000Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Chemistry: nominated
  • 2001BET Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actress: winner
  • 2001Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actress: nominated
  • 2001Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2003BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actress: nominated
  • 2003Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Liplock: nominated
  • 2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Chemistry: nominated
  • 2004Best Performance by an Actress-: winner
  • 2004BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2004Black Reel-Film: Best Actress: winner
  • 2004Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2006WFCC Award-Best Female Images in a Movie: winner
  • 2007Black Reel-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2007Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2007Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008Black Reel-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2009Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2011PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016All Def Movie Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2016Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series: winner
  • 2018Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2019American Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series: nominated
  • 2022Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series: winner
  • 2022OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2023Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2024Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance in a TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2024Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): nominated
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): nominated