One of today’s hottest stars, Gabrielle Union, continues to shine.
Union is currently in production on the highly anticipated Spectrum Originals TV spinoff series from the BAD BOYS movie franchise, in which she reprises her role as Syd Burnett. She will star opposite Jessica Alba in the series titled, “L.A.’s Finest” and is also an executive producer on the project.
“L.A.’s Finest” is set to premiere in Spring 2019 exclusively on Spectrum and received a 13-episode straight to series order. Additionally, Union can be seen in the BET series “Being Mary Jane,” which was created by Mara Brock Akil. Union plays Mary Jane Paul, a successful talk show host. The 90-minute pilot debuted in summer of 2013 as the highest-rated show on cable for the evening pulling in 4 million viewers. Union earned rave reviews for her performance as Mary Jane and received a 2014 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for the role. The final episode of the show will air on April 9, 2019.
In April, Union can also be seen on the big screen in the ensemble dramedy “The Public” opposite Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling, Jena Malone, Emilio Estevez and Che “Rhymefest” Smith. Written and directed by Estevez, the film centers around a standoff with police and library officials when library patrons – many of whom are homeless and mentally ill – stage a sit-in, turning the Cincinnati Public Library into an impromptu homeless shelter for one night during a cold snap. Union plays an ambitious television news reporter who uses the event to bolster ratings for the network as well as her own personal profile. In 2018, the movie premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and screened at Toronto International Film Festival. The movie is set for limited release on April 5, 2019.
In 2017, Union added New York Times bestselling author to her credits with the release of her book We’re Going To Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated and True. Released by Dey Street Books, the book is formatted in a series of essays and features personal stories and reflections on a range of topics that continue to define the contemporary landscape: sexuality, womanhood, friendship, race, marriage and beauty. The book was most recently released in paperback in January 2019. Union made her production debut by executive producing the Lifetime movie, “With this Ring,” a romantic comedy based on the bestseller “The Vow” by Denene Millner. She also executive produced “Almost Christmas” with Will Packer for Universal Pictures. Union has also been seen in James McTeigue’s home-invasion drama “Breaking In,” release in May 2018. She was also an executive producer on the film alongside Will Packer, James Lopez, Craig Perry, and Sheila Taylor. Union plays Shaun Russell, a mother who travels to the house she grew up in with her two children to find out the home has been invaded by burglars. The film made $51 million worldwide.
Union other film credits include Baran bo Odar’s “Sleepless” alongside Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney and Jamie Foxx; Will Packer’s “Almost Christmas”; Disney’s animated TV movie “The Lion Guard;” Paramount’s “Top Five;” Screen Gems hits “Think Like A Man” and “Think Like A Man Too;” Lionsgate’s “Good Deeds;” Film Science’s “In Our Nature;” critically acclaimed “Cadillac Records;” “The Perfect Holiday;” Tyler Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girls;” Ryan Murphy’s “Running With Scissors;” the blockbuster hit “Bad Boys II; Breakin’ All The Rules;” “Deliver Us From Eva;” Universal’s cult favorite “Bring It On;” “Welcome To Collinwood;” “Abandoned;” “Two Can Play That Game;” “Love & Basketball;” “Cradle To The Grave; Ten Things I Hate About You;” “The Brother;” “Neo Net;” “The Honeymooners;” “Meet Dave;” and “She’s All That.” Union was also seen in PBS’ four-hour television documentary series “Half The Sky” based on the best-selling book by Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.
On the small screen, Union made her debut in UPN’s hit comedy “Moesha,” and then went on to guest-star on such hit shows as “ER,” “Dave’s World” and “The Steve Harvey Show.” Shortly thereafter, she had a recurring role on two WB hit shows, “Sister, Sister” and “7th Heaven.” Union also stirred things up when she guest starred as a love interest to both ‘Joey’ (Matt LeBlanc) and ‘Ross’ (David Schwimmer) on “Friends,” and with this role, Union marked the first African-American love interest on the series. She also joined the cast of Steven Bochco’s “City of Angels” for one season and was seen on ABC’s “Flash Forward,” NBC’s “Life” and ABC’s “Ugly Betty.” In addition, she starred in ABC’s critically acclaimed series “Night Stalker” opposite Stuart Townsend and was also seen in HBO’s award-winning “Something the Lord Made,” opposite Alan Rickman, Kyra Sedgwick and Mos Def.
In the branding sphere, she’s launched her Flawless hair care line, which has been sold exclusively through Ulta Beauty since April 2017. A partnership with Macadamia Natural Oil, the line contains 10 products including several different shampoos and conditioners, a hair masque, blow dry cream, hair protection spray, shine spray, an oil treatment and edge control gel. For Union, the line is more than just bringing her beauty picks to the masses. She also wants to give more options to women with natural hair who are underrepresented in the market. Union is also the face of NY&Co’s 7th Avenue collection and has her own exclusive namesake collection for the brand that is currently available for purchase. The 7th Avenue Design Studio collection was largely inspired by Union’s character Mary Jane Paul from “Being Mary Jane.” She will release her 10th collection with the brand at the end of the January 2019. Union is also a founding partner of Vanilla Puddin’ Chardonnay.
Union’s passion for acting is rivaled by her championing of causes near and dear to her heart such as breast health and combating sexual violence. Native of Nebraska, Union currently splits her time between Miami and Los Angeles with her family.
