Regina King is an accomplished actress and director with a career that spans over three decades. She has amassed a net worth of $16 million, thanks to her successful work in both television and film.
Known for her versatility and emotional depth, King has earned critical acclaim in a variety of roles across different genres.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
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.
Growing up in a split household after her parents’ divorce, King attended Westchester High School and later enrolled at the University of Southern California.
King’s acting career began in 1985 when she joined the cast of the popular NBC sitcom 227, portraying Brenda Jenkins. Her performance earned her two nominations at the Young Artist Awards. 227 ran for 116 episodes and marked the start of her career in Hollywood.
Film Career: Breakthrough Roles
Following the end of 227, Regina King began to secure roles in high-profile films. Her breakthrough came in 1991 with her role in John Singleton’s critically acclaimed drama Boyz n the Hood.
She followed that up with key roles in Singleton’s next films, Poetic Justice (1993) and Higher Learning (1995), which helped her gain recognition in Hollywood.
In 1995, King became known to a wider audience with her role in the hit comedy Friday, starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
She also appeared in the blockbuster romantic comedy Jerry Maguire (1996), which solidified her as a versatile actress capable of handling both comedic and dramatic roles.
In the 2000s, King continued to build her film career, appearing in films like Ray (2004), where she played the role of R&B singer Margie Hendrix alongside Jamie Foxx.
This film earned her significant praise for her dramatic range, setting the stage for more serious roles in the years to come.
Television Success: Award-Winning Performances
While King’s film career was flourishing, she also found success in television. She appeared in several popular series during the 1990s, including Northern Exposure, New York Undercover, and Living Single.
However, it was her role on the animated series The Boondocks (2005-2014) that showcased her vocal talents, where she voiced the characters Riley and Huey Freeman.
In 2007, she joined the cast of the hit series 24 for its sixth season, portraying Sandra Palmer. She later became a mainstay on the crime drama
Southland (2009-2013), where she played Detective Lydia Adams, a role that garnered widespread praise.
King’s most notable television achievements came in the 2010s when she appeared in American Crime (2015-2017), The Leftovers (2015-2017), Seven Seconds (2018), and Watchmen (2019).
Her performances in American Crime and Seven Seconds earned her multiple Emmy Awards, with her role in Watchmen earning her another Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series.
Directorial Achievements: Expanding Her Career
In addition to her acting, Regina King has successfully transitioned into directing. She began her directorial career in 2013 by helming an episode of Southland.
She later directed multiple episodes of other popular television series, including Being Mary Jane, Scandal, The Catch, Animal Kingdom, This Is Us, and Shameless.
King’s directorial debut in film came in 2020 with One Night in Miami, based on the stage play by Kemp Powers. The film, which focused on a historic meeting between Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown in 1964, received widespread acclaim.
King’s work on the film earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director, making her the second Black woman to be nominated in that category.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Regina King has accumulated numerous accolades, including two Emmy Awards for American Crime and Seven Seconds, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).
Her diverse body of work across both film and television has earned her respect as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile performers.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Regina King was married to Ian Alexander in 1997, but the couple divorced in 2007. In 2020, she made headlines with the purchase of a $4.5 million home in the Beachwood Canyon area of Los Angeles, signaling her continued success both professionally and personally.
