Regina King is an American actress, director, and producer whose career has developed from child television performer to Oscar-winning filmmaker. Born in Los Angeles in 1971, she first became widely known as Brenda Jenkins on 227 before building a film career with roles in Boyz n the Hood, Poetic Justice, Friday, Jerry Maguire, and Ray. Her television work in American Crime, Seven Seconds, and Watchmen earned four Primetime Emmy Awards, while If Beale Street Could Talk won her an Academy Award. King also moved behind the camera, directing television episodes and making her feature-film directorial debut with One Night in Miami.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Regina Rene King |
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1971 |
| Age in 2026 | 55 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Profession | Actress, Director, Producer |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
| Education | Westchester High School; USC studies |
| Former Spouse | Ian Alexander Sr. |
| Child | One |
| Academy Award | Best Supporting Actress, 2019 |
| Reported Net Worth | $16 million |
Early Life and Background
Regina Rene King was born on January 15, 1971, in Los Angeles. Her mother, Gloria, was a special education teacher, and her father, Thomas King, was an electrician. She grew up in View Park–Windsor Hills, studied dance, trained with acting coach Betty Bridges, and started professional work as a teenager.
Education
King attended Westchester High School and later studied communications at the University of Southern California before focusing fully on acting.
Career Journey / Rise to Fame
King began acting professionally in 1985 as Brenda Jenkins on NBC’s 227, remaining with the sitcom until 1990. She moved into film with Boyz n the Hood, Poetic Justice, Friday, Jerry Maguire, Enemy of the State, and Ray. She also voiced Huey and Riley Freeman on The Boondocks.
Her later television work included Southland, American Crime, Seven Seconds, and Watchmen.
Major Career Achievements
King won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk. The Television Academy records four Primetime Emmy wins for her work in American Crime, Seven Seconds, and Watchmen.
She also directed episodes of Scandal and This Is Us. Her feature directorial debut, One Night in Miami, premiered in 2020.
What Regina King Is Known For
King is known for dramatic film and television performances, voice acting, and directing. Notable credits include 227, Jerry Maguire, Ray, Southland, American Crime, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Watchmen.
How Much Regina King Earns
King’s exact annual income is private. Earnings can vary according to acting contracts, directing fees, producing work, and residuals. Reported individual salaries do not establish a verified yearly income.
Sources of Income
Her documented income comes primarily from acting, directing, producing, voice work, and long-term entertainment credits. Exact contract amounts are private.
Regina King Net Worth 2026
Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates Regina King’s net worth at $16 million. Because King does not publish an audited personal balance sheet, this is a third-party estimate rather than a confirmed total.
Net Worth Breakdown
Acting and television are the clearest long-term sources, with directing and producing adding further income. Private investments and liabilities are not sufficiently documented for an exact calculation.
Personal Life, Family & Relationships
King was previously married to musician Ian Alexander Sr. from 1997 until their divorce in 2007. They have one child. She has generally kept family matters private while maintaining a public professional career.
Physical Appearance
IMDb lists Regina King at 5 feet 3 inches, or about 1.60 meters. Her current weight is not reliably documented by authoritative sources.
Social Media Presence
King maintains a public social-media presence focused mainly on professional projects, appearances, and creative work.
Lifestyle & Assets
King has been associated with Los Angeles real estate, including a Hollywood Hills property reported as purchased in 2020. Current property values are not publicly verified.
Recent Updates in 2026
King remains active as an actress, director, and producer. Her recent screen work includes Caught Stealing, released in 2025. IMDb currently lists Children of Blood and Bone, in which she plays Queen Nehanda, as a 2027 project in post-production.
Interesting Facts
- King began professional acting as a teenager.
- She played Brenda Jenkins on 227.
- She voiced Huey and Riley Freeman on The Boondocks.
- She won an Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk.
- She has four Primetime Emmy wins.
- One Night in Miami was her feature directorial debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Regina King in 2026?
Regina King is 55 years old in 2026. She was born on January 15, 1971.
What is Regina King known for?
She is known for 227, Jerry Maguire, Ray, Southland, American Crime, Watchmen, and If Beale Street Could Talk, along with her directing work.
Has Regina King won an Oscar?
Yes. She won Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk.
How tall is Regina King?
IMDb lists King at 5 feet 3 inches, or 1.60 meters.
What is Regina King’s net worth in 2026?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates her net worth at $16 million, but this is not an audited personal figure.
Conclusion
Regina King has built a career across television, film, voice acting, directing, and producing. From 227 to her Oscar-winning performance in If Beale Street Could Talk and Emmy-winning television roles, her career spans more than four decades. One Night in Miami added directing to her major credits. In 2026, she remains active in entertainment, with recent credits and future projects extending her film career. Her exact finances remain private, while the widely published $16 million estimate provides only a general picture of her reported wealth.
