Sanaa McCoy Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, in New York City to Eleanor McCoy and Stan Lathan. Her first name, Sanaa, translates from Swahili as “work of art,” and also means “shining light” in Arabic. She is of African American and Native American descent. Her mother, Eleanor, was an actress and dancer, while her father, Stan, is a well-regarded television producer known for his work with PBS and other network programs.
Lathan has one brother, DJ Tendaji Lathan, and three sisters: Colette, Lilane, and Arielle Lathan.
Lathan attended the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. She later earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley before enrolling at Yale University, where she received a master’s degree in drama. While at Yale, Lathan performed in several Shakespearean productions, laying the foundation for a successful theater career. Upon graduation, she earned acclaim for her work both off-Broadway and on stage in Los Angeles.
Setting her professional base in Los Angeles, Lathan began her on-screen career with guest spots on several popular television shows in the 1990s, including “In the House,” “Family Matters,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Moesha.” Her stage performance in “To Take Arms” earned her a NAACP Theatrical Award, affirming her talent in both theater and screen acting.
Lathan gained wider recognition in 1998 when she portrayed the mother of the title character, played by Wesley Snipes, in the film "Blade." She followed this with roles in “Life,” alongside Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy, as well as ensemble casts in “The Best Man” and “The Wood.”
Her breakout performance came in 2000 with the film “Love & Basketball,” in which she played a talented athlete navigating her passion for the game and her relationship with a fellow player. The role earned her the 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. She also received a nomination for Best Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards and was honored with a BET Award.
| Birth Date: | 19 Sep, 1971 |
| Age: | 48 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | New York City |
| Education: | University of California, Berkeley Yale School of Drama |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American actress and voice actress |
| Net Worth 2021: | 5 million |
