A Journey Through Sanaa Lathan's Career Over The Years
Sanaa Lathan: A Journey Through The Actress’s Career Over The Years
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The beginning of Lathan’s career.
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1. 'The Best Man' boom.

The 90s and 2000s were a defining decade for Lathan, as she took on a variety of roles in both film and television. She played the role of Robin in the original The Best Man (1999). The hilarious comedy followed old college friends as they reunited for a fun and drama-filled wedding. The franchise followed up with a Christmas-themed sequel, The Best Man Holiday, in November 2013, and both films saw major success at the box office.
“The original grossed $34 million domestically on a $9 million budget. The 2013 follow-up earned $70 million,” according to Deadline.
2. She continued to build a career of diverse roles.

Lathan would continue to expand her film portfolio with a number of diverse roles throughout the 2000s. In 2001, the New York native starred in The Wood, a coming-of-age film about friendship and love. The film highlighted her ability to portray relatable, complex characters and established her as a rising star in Hollywood.
Lathan also made waves in romantic comedies, such as Brown Sugar (2002), where she starred opposite Taye Diggs as a music journalist who confronts the intersection of love, friendship, and hip-hop culture. The film was a hit and cemented Lathan’s place as one of the go-to actresses for romantic and heartfelt performances.
But Lathan was far from confined to one genre. In 2003, she starred in the psychological thriller The Perfect Guy, showcasing her range in more dramatic roles. Her willingness to take on challenging and diverse characters made her stand out in a landscape that was often narrow for women of color in Hollywood.
3. She expanded into television.

While Lathan had already made a name for herself in film, she proved she could dominate the small screen as well. Her role as the manipulative, power-hungry businesswoman in the hit drama series The Affair (2014–2015) was a testament to her ability to evolve with the changing tides of entertainment. The role garnered her critical acclaim.
One of her most iconic TV roles came with Shots Fired (2017), a miniseries that explored race relations and police shootings in America. Lathan played a passionate investigator working to uncover the truth behind a controversial case, navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system and systemic racism. The series was both timely and impactful, allowing Lathan to showcase her acting prowess in a socially relevant and powerful way.
The success did not stop there. She went on to earn her first Emmy nomination in 2022 for her guest role on Succession. Lathan also lent her voice to the character of Donna Tubbs on both Family Guy and The Cleveland Show on Fox, as well as to Catwoman in the DC animated series Harley Quinn.
Lathan later reprised her beloved role from The Best Man for the film’s spin-off TV series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, in 2022.
4. Lathan made a name for herself on Broadway, too.

On Broadway, Lathan earned a Tony Award nomination for her captivating performance in A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway (2004). She also starred as Maggie the Cat, alongside James Earl Jones, in the Olivier Award-winning revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2010) at London’s Novello Theatre in the West End.
The film titan also made an appearance off-Broadway with 2012’s By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
5. She made her directorial debut.

Since then, Lathan has expanded her reach. The star ventured into directing, making her debut with the short film Leap for Maven Pictures. Shot during the lockdown, the film explores the story of a Zoom therapist struggling with OCD and panic disorder, according to IMDB. Leap premiered at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival.
She continued sharpening her directorial lens with 2022’s On the Come Up, based on Angie Thomas’ best-selling novel. It featured Lathan as the mother of a talented teen rapper trying to make it in a cutthroat industry. The film was lauded for its raw portrayal of ambition, youth, and resilience, once again proving Lathan’s ability to elevate every character she portrays.
During an interview with Global Grind that year, Lathan said that while she knew many of the “technical aspects” required for the filmmaking process, there were so many things she learned on the go about the post-production part of the business.
“It was really an all-consuming couple of years’ job,” the Hollywood star said flat out.” It really isn’t for the heart of the faint.”
But Lathan lived up to the challenge and delivered. From a young, ambitious actress with a dream to one of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars, Lathan’s journey is a powerful reminder that the sky is the limit when talent, passion, and persistence meet.
We can’t wait to see where the next chapter of her incredible career takes her.
Sanaa Lathan: A Journey Through The Actress’s Career Over The Years was originally published on newsone.com