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United States Sanaa Lathan is an accomplished actress, director, and producer with a career spanning over two decades in film, television, and theatre.
Sanaa Lathan has left ICM Partners for CAA, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned. After early success in supporting and ensemble roles, this move highlights her continued career growth and representation by a major talent agency.
Sanaa Lathan partnered with The Lincoln Motor Company at the #LincolnLuxe Event, indicating her involvement in luxury brand promotions and events.
Essence partnered with Sanaa Lathan for a special #NappilyEverAfter edition of My Mane Moment, focusing on the actress's hair journey which ties into the themes of her film "Nappily Ever After."
International Medical Corps honored Sanaa Lathan as a leader and activist, recognizing her and corporate partner AIG for their contributions at an annual awards celebration.
Sanaa Lathan joined Pantene to represent the brand's Nature Fusion Collection, highlighting her endorsement of beauty and hair care products.
Sanaa McCoy Lathan was born on September 19, 1971, in New York City. Her mother, Eleanor McCoy, was an actress and dancer who performed on Broadway, and her father, Stan Lathan, worked as a film director and television producer for shows such as “Sanford & Son” and Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam.” This early exposure to the entertainment industry shaped her path. She pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Fine Arts in drama from Yale University, where she honed her craft in various Shakespearean productions. Following her academic career, Lathan began her professional journey with early television roles in the mid-1990s.
Lathan’s career gained momentum in 1998 with her role in the film “Blade.” This was followed by a series of significant roles in notable films, including “The Best Man” (1999) and “Love & Basketball” (2000), where her performance earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress. Her stage career also flourished, leading to a Tony Award nomination in 2004 for her role in the Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun.” She transitioned into voice acting, notably as Donna Tubbs in “The Cleveland Show” and “Family Guy,” and as Catwoman in “Harley Quinn.”
More recently, Lathan has expanded her work to include directing. She made her feature directorial debut with “On the Come Up” (2022) for Paramount Pictures, which premiered to positive reviews at the Toronto Film Festival. She also directed the short film “LEAP” for Maven Pictures, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. In television, her recurring role as Lisa Arthur in the third season of HBO’s “Succession” earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Her diverse portfolio demonstrates a consistent career across various facets of the entertainment industry.
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