History of Gabrielle Union in Timeline
Gabrielle Union-Wade is an American actress who began her career with television sitcom appearances in the 1990s. She gained recognition for supporting roles in teen movies like "She's All That" and "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999. However, her breakthrough role came in 2000 with the teen film "Bring It On."
October 29, 1972: Gabrielle Union was born
Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade was born on October 29, 1972.
1997: Early Television Appearances
Gabrielle Union began her career with minor roles on television. In 1997, she made appearances in various television series, including "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Moesha," "Sister, Sister," "Smart Guy," and "7th Heaven."
1999: Early Roles in Teen Movies
Gabrielle Union began her acting career with minor roles, including appearances in the teen films "She's All That" and "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999.
2000: Breakthrough with "Bring It On"
Gabrielle Union appeared in "Love & Basketball" and gained recognition for her role in the cheerleading comedy "Bring It On" in 2000, marking a significant point in her career.
2000: Role in "Love & Basketball" and Breakthrough with "Bring It On"
Gabrielle Union appeared in the film "Love & Basketball" and achieved mainstream recognition for her role in the cheerleading movie "Bring It On" in 2000.
May 5, 2001: Union Marries Chris Howard
Gabrielle Union married NFL player Chris Howard on May 5, 2001.
2001: Performance in "The Brothers"
Gabrielle Union starred in the romantic comedy "The Brothers" in 2001, a role where her performance was recognized for its sincerity.
2003: Success with "Bad Boys II" and Voice Acting in "The Proud Family"
Gabrielle Union starred in "Bad Boys II," a major box office success, and lent her voice to the animated series "The Proud Family" in 2003.
2003: Acclaimed Performance in "Deliver Us from Eva" and Role in "Bad Boys II"
Gabrielle Union starred in "Deliver Us from Eva" in 2003, a role that showcased her range and earned her critical praise. She also appeared in the action-comedy sequel "Bad Boys II" that same year, further solidifying her presence in Hollywood.
2003: Breakthrough Role in "Deliver Us from Eva" and Success with "Bad Boys II"
In 2003, Gabrielle Union had her first leading role in the film "Deliver Us from Eva," which received critical acclaim. The same year, she appeared in the blockbuster hit "Bad Boys II," which significantly boosted her career.
2004: Role in "Breakin' All the Rules"
Gabrielle Union starred in the romantic comedy "Breakin' All the Rules" in 2004.
2004: Gabrielle Union Becomes Neutrogena Spokeswoman
Gabrielle Union's partnership with Neutrogena began in 2004 when she became a spokeswoman for the brand.
October 2005: Union and Howard Separate
In October 2005, Gabrielle Union and Chris Howard decided to separate after four years of marriage.
2005: Award-Winning Performance in "Neo Ned"
Gabrielle Union starred in the critically acclaimed film "Neo Ned" in 2005, for which she received the Best Actress award at the Palm Beach International Film Festival.
2005: Critically Acclaimed Performance in "Neo Ned"
Gabrielle Union starred in the film "Neo Ned" in 2005, for which she won the Best Actress award at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. Her performance alongside Jeremy Renner was praised for its unique chemistry.
2005: Roles in "The Honeymooners" and "Night Stalker"
Gabrielle Union starred in the remake of "The Honeymooners" and the short-lived television series "Night Stalker" in 2005.
2006: Appearance in Music Video
Gabrielle Union appeared in the music video for Busta Rhymes' song "I Love My Bitch" in 2006.
2006: Filming of "Daddy's Little Girls"
Gabrielle Union filmed "Daddy's Little Girls" in Atlanta, Georgia, in mid-2006.
2006: Union and Howard Divorce
Gabrielle Union's divorce from Chris Howard was finalized in 2006.
2007: Critically Acclaimed Roles in "Daddy's Little Girls" and "The Perfect Holiday"
Gabrielle Union starred in "Daddy's Little Girls" and "The Perfect Holiday" in 2007. She received critical acclaim for her performances in both films, particularly for her portrayal of a single mother in "The Perfect Holiday."
2007: Starring Roles in "Daddy's Little Girls" and "The Perfect Holiday"
Gabrielle Union starred in Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls" and the Christmas film "The Perfect Holiday" in 2007. She was praised for her comedic timing and portrayal of a divorced single mother in "The Perfect Holiday."
March 2008: Role in "Cadillac Records"
Gabrielle Union joined the cast of the film "Cadillac Records" in March 2008, portraying Geneva Wade. She considered this role as one of her best career choices.
2008: Appearances in "Cadillac Records" and "Meet Dave"
Gabrielle Union appeared in the musical biopic "Cadillac Records" and the comedy "Meet Dave" in 2008. She considered her role in "Cadillac Records" as one of her best career decisions.
May 2009: Cancellation of "Life"
The U.S. television series "Life," in which Gabrielle Union appeared, was canceled in May 2009 after running for two seasons.
June 2010: Gabrielle Union Joins "Army Wives" and "NTSF:SD:SUV::"
In June 2010, Gabrielle Union joined the cast of "Army Wives" and "NTSF:SD:SUV::".
2010: Gabrielle Union Offered Role in "In Our Nature"
Brian Savelson offered Gabrielle Union a role in his directorial debut, "In Our Nature", in 2010.
2010: NAACP Image Award Nomination for "FlashForward"
Gabrielle Union's performance in the ABC series "FlashForward" earned her a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 2010 NAACP Image Awards.
2010: Gabrielle Union Launches Plus-Size Clothing Line "Love & Blessings"
Inspired by her sister, Gabrielle Union launched "Love & Blessings", a clothing line specifically for plus-sized women, in 2010.
May 2011: Gabrielle Union Lands Roles in "Think Like a Man" and "Family Tree"
In May 2011, Gabrielle Union secured roles in the romantic comedy "Think Like a Man" and the indie film "Family Tree".
June 2011: Gabrielle Union Defends Rihanna's "Man Down" Music Video
Gabrielle Union defended Rihanna's controversial music video for "Man Down" in June 2011, arguing that every rape victim's experience and perspective on justice is unique.
January 2012: Gabrielle Union Participates in Bounce TV's "Our History" Documentary
Gabrielle Union joined Bounce TV's documentary "Our History" in January 2012.
February 2012: Union Jokes About Airport Security Encounter
In February 2012, Gabrielle Union found humor in an airport security experience where she was flagged as suspicious and subjected to a hair pat-down. She later shared a lighthearted tweet about the incident.
June 2, 2012: Union Runs for a Cure
Gabrielle Union participated in the Global Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., on June 2, 2012, in memory of her friend Kristen Martinez, who passed away from breast cancer.
August 2012: Union Calls on Romney for Transparency
During the 2012 presidential race, Gabrielle Union publicly urged Republican candidate Mitt Romney to disclose his tax returns and birth certificate in August 2012. She drew a parallel to his father, George W. Romney, who had released his tax documents while running for president.
2012: Appearance in "Think Like a Man"
Gabrielle Union appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy "Think Like a Man" in 2012.
July 2013: Gabrielle Union Speaks Out Against Trayvon Martin's Killing and George Zimmerman's Acquittal
Following George Zimmerman's acquittal in the death of Trayvon Martin in July 2013, Gabrielle Union expressed her outrage, stating, "Apparently walking while black is a crime punishable by death."
August 23, 2013: Union Unveils Commemorative Stamp
On August 23, 2013, Gabrielle Union participated in the unveiling of a special edition stamp at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The stamp honored the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.
2013: Gabrielle Union Stars in BET's "Being Mary Jane"
Gabrielle Union began starring in the BET network show "Being Mary Jane" in 2013.
2013: Lead Role in "Being Mary Jane"
Gabrielle Union landed the lead role in the BET drama series "Being Mary Jane," which premiered in 2013 and ran until 2019. Her performance earned her an NAACP Image Award.
March 2014: Gabrielle Union Debuts Wine Label "Vanilla Puddin'"
Gabrielle Union ventured into the world of winemaking with the release of her first wine, "Vanilla Puddin'," in March 2014.
July 8, 2014: Union Seeks Justice for Tanganyika Williams
On July 8, 2014, Gabrielle Union publicly called for justice following the murder of Tanganyika Williams, aunt of NBA player Matt Barnes. She urged anyone with information to contact authorities through posts on Instagram and Twitter.
July 2014: Gabrielle Union Becomes Producer for Lifetime's "With This Ring"
Gabrielle Union joined the production team for the Lifetime film "With This Ring" in July 2014.
August 30, 2014: Union Marries Dwyane Wade
On August 30, 2014, Gabrielle Union married NBA player Dwyane Wade in Miami, Florida. With the marriage, she became a stepmother to Wade's three children.
October 2014: Union Designs for Women Are Watching
In October 2014, Gabrielle Union partnered with Planned Parenthood's breast health initiative, Women Are Watching, to design T-shirts raising awareness for the campaign.
November 2014: Union Participates in "Take a Stand" Campaign
In November 2014, Gabrielle Union joined forces with Tika Sumpter for a short film commissioned by the Atlanta Mayor's office. The film was part of a campaign spearheaded by Mayor Kasim Reed called "Take a Stand."
2014: Roles in "Think Like a Man Too" and "Top Five"
Gabrielle Union reprised her role in the sequel "Think Like a Man Too" and starred in Chris Rock's "Top Five," both released in 2014.
November 2015: Gabrielle Union Voices Nala in Disney's "The Lion Guard"
In November 2015, Gabrielle Union lent her voice to the iconic character Nala in Disney's "The Lion Guard" movie and series.
October 2016: Gabrielle Union Stars in "The Birth of a Nation"
Gabrielle Union portrayed Esther, a slave in the Antebellum South, in the film "The Birth of a Nation", released in October 2016.
2016: Supporting Roles in "The Birth of a Nation" and "Almost Christmas"
Gabrielle Union had supporting roles in the historical drama "The Birth of a Nation" and the Christmas comedy "Almost Christmas," both released in 2016.
April 2017: Gabrielle Union Announces Memoir "We're Going to Need More Wine"
In April 2017, Gabrielle Union shared the news of her forthcoming memoir, "We're Going to Need More Wine".
September 2017: Gabrielle Union Partners with Invicta Watch Group
Gabrielle Union announced a collaborative partnership with Invicta Watch Group in September 2017, which included a line of watches designed by her.
October 17, 2017: Gabrielle Union's Memoir "We're Going to Need More Wine" Released
Gabrielle Union's memoir, "We're Going to Need More Wine," hit shelves on October 17, 2017.
December 2017: "We're Going to Need More Wine" Named "Best Book of the Year by a Black Author"
"The Root" magazine honored Gabrielle Union's "We're Going to Need More Wine" as a "Best Book of the Year by a Black Author" in December 2017.
2017: Appearance in "Sleepless"
Gabrielle Union appeared in the action thriller "Sleepless" in 2017.
2017: Publication of Memoir "We're Going to Need More Wine"
Gabrielle Union released her first memoir, "We're Going to Need More Wine," in 2017.
November 7, 2018: Union and Wade Welcome Daughter
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade welcomed their daughter, Kaavia James Wade, on November 7, 2018. Kaavia was born via surrogate.
2018: Starring Role in "Breaking In"
Gabrielle Union starred in the thriller film "Breaking In" in 2018.
November 2019: Gabrielle Union's Contract with "America's Got Talent" Not Renewed
In November 2019, "America's Got Talent" chose not to renew Gabrielle Union's contract for another season, allegedly due to her speaking out against racism.
2019: Starring Role in "L.A.'s Finest" and Publication of "Welcome to the Party"
Gabrielle Union began starring in the crime series "L.A.'s Finest" in 2019. The same year she published her first children's book, "Welcome to the Party."
May 2020: Gabrielle Union Releases First Children's Book, "Welcome to the Party"
In May 2020, Gabrielle Union debuted as a children's book author with "Welcome to the Party".
May 2020: Gabrielle Union Files Discrimination Suit Against "America's Got Talent" Producers
In May 2020, Gabrielle Union filed a discrimination lawsuit against the producers of "America's Got Talent", alleging racism and prejudice.
December 11, 2020: Gabrielle Union to Star in "Cheaper by the Dozen" Remake
On December 11, 2020, it was announced that Gabrielle Union would star alongside Zach Braff in a remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen".
2020: Recognition for Advocacy and Humanitarian Work
Gabrielle Union was recognized for her advocacy work, particularly in the areas of women's health, LGBTQ+ equality, and violence against women. She and her husband, Dwyane Wade, received the President's Award from the NAACP Image Awards for their humanitarian efforts. She was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2020.
2020: Union Named to Time 100 List
Gabrielle Union was recognized for her influence in 2020 when she was included in the prestigious Time 100 list, which highlights the world's most impactful individuals.
2020: Gabrielle Union Relaunches Haircare Brand "Flawless" and Co-Founds Bitsy's
In 2020, Gabrielle Union relaunched her haircare brand, "Flawless", catering to women with textured hair, and co-founded Bitsy's, a company focused on allergen-friendly snacks.
2020: Union Advocates for L.A. County Jail Health
In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Gabrielle Union teamed up with JusticeLA to release a public service announcement titled "#SuingToSaveLives." This initiative aimed to bring attention to the health conditions within L.A. County jails.
2020: End of "L.A.'s Finest" and Publication of "Shady Baby"
The series "L.A.'s Finest" concluded in 2020. Gabrielle Union co-authored and published her second children's book, "Shady Baby," in the same year.
May 18, 2021: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Release Children's Book "Shady Baby"
Gabrielle Union and her husband, Dwyane Wade, co-authored their second children's book, "Shady Baby," which was released on May 18, 2021.
September 14, 2021: Gabrielle Union's Memoir "You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories" Published
Gabrielle Union's second memoir, "You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories," was published on September 14, 2021.
December 2021: Gabrielle Union Plays Tootie Ramsey in "The Facts of Life" Segment on "Live in Front of a Studio Audience"
Gabrielle Union took on the role of Tootie Ramsey in a "The Facts of Life" segment for the third edition of "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" in December 2021, recreating the episode "Kids Can Be Cruel".
2021: Publication of Memoir "You Got Anything Stronger?"
Gabrielle Union published her second memoir, "You Got Anything Stronger?," in 2021.
March 2022: Gabrielle Union Cast as Lead in "Truth Be Told" Season 3
Gabrielle Union was chosen to play the lead role in the third season of Apple TV+'s "Truth Be Told" in March 2022.
March 2022: "Cheaper by the Dozen" Remake Released
The "Cheaper by the Dozen" remake, starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff, was released in March 2022.
2023: Gabrielle Union Returns for "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder" Season 2
Gabrielle Union reprised her role in the sequel series "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder" for a second-season episode that aired in early 2023.
2023: Role in "The Perfect Find"
Gabrielle Union starred in the Netflix romantic comedy "The Perfect Find" in 2023.
