Born on January 15, 1971 in Los Angeles, California, actress Regina King is a graduate of Westchester High School and was a student at the University of Southern California. Before she landed the very first role of her acting career, which was Marla Gibbs in the television series, 227, King trained with, Martha Bridges, mother of actor Todd Bridges. After five seasons on the show and two Young Artist award nominations (one for Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series and the other Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Long Running Series), she landed a title role in John Singleton’s Boyz in the Hood. In 1996, she became comedian Martin Lawrence’s leading lady in the comedy A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
King further made a mark in the entertainment industry by appearing as Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s wife in the drama, Jerry Maguire. Subsequently, King shared the big screen with Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Eddie Murphy on the family/comedy film Daddy Day Care and with Academy Award winner and singer Jamie Foxx on the biographical film Ray. Her role as one of Ray Charles’ Raylettes and mistresses earned her a 2005 Black Reel award nomination for Best Actress (Drama), a 2005 Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture, and a 2005 Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Following the success of Ray, King joined actress Sandra Bullock in the sequel Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. King’s portrayal of uptight FBI Agent Sam Fuller garnered her a BET Comedy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical film. Currently, aside from appearing in hit television series, 24, King lends her voice to Huey and Riley Freeman, characters on the Adult Swim animated series, The Boondocks.
Her other film credits include Poetic Justice (where she acted opposite singer Janet Jackson), Higher Learning, Friday, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Enemy of the State (where her role as Will Smith’s wife earned her a 1999 Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture), Mighty Joe Young, Down to Earth (where her role earned her a 2002 Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture), Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde, A Cinderella Story, and The Ant Bully (where she voiced the character, Kreela).
King married Ian Alexander in 1997, but nine years later, filed for a divorce. King and Alexander have one child.
She studied under acting coach/actress Betty A. Bridges, mother of actor Todd Bridges. She was Regina's acting coach for ten years before and during her first role on the TV series "227" (1985).
Sister of actress Reina King.
Her husband, Ian, served as vice-president of the now-defunct Warner Bros. Records-distributed Qwest Records.
Opened an L.A. restaurant called Paio.
Was a bridesmaid in the wedding of actress Vivica A. Fox.
1/19/96: Had child, Ian Alexander Jr., with her ex-husband.
Dated Curtis Baldwin.
Is an alumnus of Westchester High School (class of 1988), as are Nia Long (class of 1989), singer Karyn White (class of 1984), director Tim Story (class of 1988), former NFL player Kevin Johnson (class of 1988), jazz pianist Eric Reed (class of 1988), the late Anissa Jones (class of 1976) and the late Phil Hartman (class of 1966). In addition, well known civil rights attorney and radio talk show host Leo Terrell was an English teacher at the school.
Both she and her sister Reina King's first names are translations of the word "Queen": Regina's is Latin and Reina King's is Spanish.
Was one of the guests at Sandra Bullock's and Jesse James' wedding.