Taking Chances

Background:

While often appearing as Miss Goody Two-shoes on screen, pretty Gabrielle Union has taken chances while building her acting career.

Moving from guest appearances in familiar television shows, Saved By The Bell, 7th Heaven, and Sister, Sister, for example, Gabrielle made that big move to the silver screen while keeping one foot safely rooted in TV land. Who knows when one might need that toed in edge? Michael Bay's Bad Boys II (2003) threw the lovely Union in the Ecstasy explosion in sinful Miami, with Union heating up with Narcotics cop Mike Lowrey, played by famed actor Will Smith.

In Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), lethal weapon Jet Li copes with kidnapping, thieves and yes, Gabrielle. Not a bad way to earn a paycheck... There is no doubt that Union has built an impressive resume. Smart, lovely to look at, versatile, and hard working, things look bright for her future.

Who knows, Gabrielle may just be one of Hollywood's next shining stars.

"What's discouraging is that just being talented isn't enough to make it. There is so much BS out there that you have to factor in to have a career." Gabrielle Union

"I'm a Catholic girl from Omaha, and then all of a sudden they spring this scene on me. Afterwards I had to go to confession. I said, "Forgive me Father, for I have just bared my ass in front of the world. How many Hail Marys will it take to absolve me of that?" Gabrielle Union speaking about her strip scene in Cradle 2 the Grave (2003).

"I'm just riding this train as long as I can. As long as I'm having fun, I'll do it. When it stops being fun, I'll try something else. Maybe I'll open up a chain of Popeye's Chicken." Gabrielle Union, E! Online

Excelling

Childhood and Family:

Born on October 29, 1973 in Omaha, Nebraska, Gabrielle Monique Union excelled in athletic ability, playing basketball, soccer and track in High School. Union also spent time as a cheerleader. Gabrielle began college at the University of Nebraska, later transferring to Cuesta College, before eventually ending up at UCLA where she earned a degree in sociology.

Union married professional Hockey Player (Jacksonville Jaguars) Chris Howard in May of 2001.

Staying Busy

Career:

Gabrielle Union's early acting career begins with television guest appearances in such shows as Saved by the Bell, 7th Heaven, Goode Behavior, Sister, Sister and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In 1999, Gabrielle won the role of Katie in the big screen romantic comedy She's All That, starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook.

Roles soon followed in the shape of Chastity in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Gabby in H-E Double Hockey Sticks (1999), Shawnee in Love & Basketball (2000), and Isis in Bring It On (2000).

While acting in movies, Union continued to advance her career on television. Hit shows like the popular ER and City of Angels welcomed her appearances and in 1994 Gabrielle found herself the first African-American love interest of one of the starring characters on the television sensation Friends.

Gabrielle stays busy. Her resume includes such movies as The Brothers (2001), Two Can Play That Game (2001), Abandon (2002), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) and Bad Boys II (2003), starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

Union had a fruitful year in 2004 with roles in Ride or Die, co-starring with Jamie Foxx, Breakin' All the Rules, Say Uncle, Neo Ned and Constellation.

Union will play the role of Alice Kramden in 2005's The Honeymooners, directed by John Schultz.

Awards:
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