Gabrielle Union was born on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska. However, at the age of 8, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. In high school, Union was an all-star point guard and a year round athlete participating in soccer, basketball, and track.

After high school, Gabrielle attended college at University of Nebraska, where she played on the soccer team; and then later transferred to Cuesta College. Eventually she ended up at UCLA. On her way to law school, just planning on being a working stiff, things started to happen during her senior year. Gabrielle had a college internship at a L.A. modeling agency, she thought it would be an easy way to pick up some extra credits. Little did she know that clients were eying the help. Upon the completion of the internship, she was asked to become a client with the agency. Gabby thought of it as a great way to pay off a stack of college loans, and modeled until her agent found that she could actually act. Her first audition/job was landed without any headshots, on Saved by the Bell. Since then she has went on to have many small but substantial film roles and has guest starred on several hit TV shows, all before landing the role of Dr. Courtney Ellis, on CBS' short-lived medical drama City of Angels.

Although she plays parts that are opinionated and strong, Gabrielle believes that, "Hollywood needs to recognize all shades of African American beauty." Gabrielle is a graduate of UCLA with honors, in sociology. She is married to NFL player Chris Howard.



Was a cheerleader in the eighth grade. Has a degree in sociology. Is a big fan of the music group New Edition. She ranked #81 in Stuff's "103 Sexiest Women" (2003). Didn't want to do acting but did it to pay off her university debts and found that she enjoyed it. Her parents are Sylvester and Theresa Union. Has been in two adaptations of "The Taming of the Shrew": 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and Deliver Us from Eva (2003). Ranked #67 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Is of African American, East Indian, Irish, English, and American Indian (Choctaw and Seminole) heritage.