Regina King is a talented actress and director who’s captured hearts with her powerful performances on screen. Known for her roles in movies like If Beale Street Could Talk and TV shows like Watchmen, she’s also stepped behind the camera to create inspiring stories. In this Regina King biography and net worth guide, we’ll dive into her journey from a young girl in Los Angeles to an award-winning star.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Regina Rene King |
| Nickname / Stage Name | Gina |
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1971 |
| Age | 54 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, Director, Producer |
| Known For | Academy Award for If Beale Street Could Talk, four Emmy Awards, directing One Night in Miami |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) |
| Family / Spouse | Ex-spouse: Ian Alexander Sr. (married 1997-2007); Son: Ian Alexander Jr. (1996-2022); Sister: Reina King; Parents: Gloria Jean (special education teacher) and Thomas King (electrician) |
| Education | Westchester High School (graduated 1989); University of Southern California (studied communications for two years) |
| Social Media Followers | Instagram: about 2 million; X (formerly Twitter): about 957,000; Facebook: about 387,000 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $16 million |
Early Life & Background
Regina King grew up in the View Park-Windsor Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, a place known for its strong community. Her mom, Gloria, worked as a special education teacher, while her dad, Thomas, was an electrician. They had moved from the South during a big wave of migration for better opportunities. When Regina was just eight, her parents divorced, which was tough, but she stayed close to her family, including her younger sister, Reina, who later acted with her.
As a kid, Regina loved dancing, taking ballet and jazz classes. She dreamed of becoming a dentist at first, but acting caught her eye. She trained with coach Betty Bridges for years, which helped her land her first big role. Even as she started acting, she stayed in public school, balancing homework with TV sets. This grounded start shaped her into someone who values hard work and staying real.
Career Journey & Achievements
Regina King’s path to fame started young, but she built it step by step with grit and talent.
Breaking Into Acting
She kicked off her career at 14, playing Brenda Jenkins on the sitcom 227 from 1985 to 1990. It was a hit, and she earned nods from the Young Artist Awards. This opened doors to movies. In 1991, she starred in Boyz n the Hood, a film about life in South LA that got lots of praise. She worked with director John Singleton again in Poetic Justice and Higher Learning, showing her range in serious roles.
Big Screen Success
The 1990s and 2000s brought fun and dramatic parts. On Friday, she played a sassy sister, and in Jerry Maguire, she was the supportive wife of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character. Films like Enemy of the State and How Stella Got Her Groove Back kept her busy. Her role in Ray, as one of Ray Charles’ backup singers, won her a NAACP Image Award and a Satellite Award, proving she could shine in music biopics.
Television Triumphs
On TV, Regina hit new heights. In Southland, she played a tough detective from 2009 to 2013, earning more NAACP awards. Then came American Crime, where her emotional performances won two Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2015 and 2016. She grabbed another Emmy for Seven Seconds in 2018, and a fourth for Watchmen in 2019, tying records for Black performers.
Directing Debut and Beyond
Regina didn’t stop at acting. She directed episodes of shows like Scandal and This Is Us. Her first feature film, One Night in Miami, came out in 2020 and earned a Golden Globe nod for Best Director. It was a big deal, as she became the first Black woman with a film in the Venice Film Festival’s main lineup. In 2024, she starred in and produced Shirley, about politician Shirley Chisholm. Looking ahead, she’s in Caught Stealing in 2025.
Her awards list is impressive: an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in If Beale Street Could Talk, a Golden Globe, and those four Emmys. She’s been named one of Time’s most influential people.
Personal Life & Relationships
Regina King’s life off-screen has had its joys and heartbreaks. She married record producer Ian Alexander Sr. in 1997 after meeting in the early 1990s. They had a son, Ian Alexander Jr., in 1996, who grew up to be a DJ and artist. The couple split in 2007 after ten years.
After the divorce, Regina dated actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner from 2011 to 2013. She’s kept other relationships private, focusing on her work and family. Tragically, her son Ian passed away by suicide in 2022 at age 26. Since then, she’s spoken out about mental health, turning pain into advocacy.
In her free time, Regina enjoys simple things like spending time with loved ones and supporting causes. She’s committed to diversity, promising half her projects will focus on women.
Net Worth & Financial Overview
Regina King’s estimated net worth sits at $16 million in 2025, according to sites like Celebrity Net Worth that use public data from salaries, deals, and investments. Remember, these are estimates, not exact figures from her bank statements.
Most of her wealth comes from acting. She earns big from films and TV; for example, top roles can pay millions per project. Her work in Ray and If Beale Street Could Talk boosted her profile and paychecks. Directing adds more, with One Night in Miami bringing in fees and acclaim. Voice work in The Boondocks and endorsements help too. She’s smart with money, investing in production through her company, Royal Ties.
Her salary varies: reports suggest around $2 million a year on average, but peaks higher for hits like Watchmen. Brand deals and residuals from old shows keep income steady. Overall, her fortune reflects decades of steady success in Hollywood.
Notable Facts & Trivia
Here are some fun bits about Regina:
- She once wanted to be a dentist, even while starring on 227.
- Regina stayed in regular school during her child acting days, avoiding the “child star curse.”
- She’s the first African-American woman to direct a film picked for Venice Film Festival’s main competition.
- Her name means “queen” in Latin, and her sister’s, Reina, means it in Spanish.
- She voiced both Huey and Riley in The Boondocks, showing her vocal range.
- In 2019, Time magazine called her one of the 100 most influential people.
These tidbits show her versatility and down-to-earth side.
Impact & Legacy
Regina King matters because she breaks barriers and tells important stories. As an actress, she’s brought depth to roles about Black experiences, like in Watchmen, which tackled racism, or Shirley, honoring a pioneering politician. Her Oscar win for If Beale Street Could Talk highlighted her skill in emotional dramas.
As a director, she’s pushed for more women and people of color behind the camera. Her work inspires young artists, showing you can evolve from teen roles to a powerhouse creator. She’s advocated for mental health after personal loss, making her a role model beyond entertainment. In Hollywood, her legacy is one of resilience, talent, and using fame for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regina King’s estimated net worth is $16 million in 2025, mainly from acting, directing, and producing.
She started with the sitcom 227 as a teen, then gained fame through films like Boyz n the Hood and TV hits like American Crime.
Her top wins include an Academy Award for If Beale Street Could Talk, a Golden Globe, and four Primetime Emmys, plus directing acclaim for One Night in Miami.
No, she was married to Ian Alexander Sr. from 1997 to 2007, but is currently single.
In 2025, she’s starring in films like Caught Stealing and continues producing projects focused on diversity.
She earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director for One Night in Miami and the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award.
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