Regina King has built a career that spans more than three decades, earning her a place among the most celebrated actors of her generation. With an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and four Primetime Emmys to her name, she has worked steadily across film and television while also carving out a reputation as a director. Yet for all her public achievements, many personal details remain less widely known—from her early start at age 14 to the devastating loss of her only son. This article brings together verified facts about her age, net worth, family, filmography, and the questions fans most often ask.
Born in Los Angeles on January 15, 1971, King began acting as a teenager and quickly became a familiar face on both the small and big screens. She has taken on roles that range from comedy to hard-hitting drama, and in recent years has shifted behind the camera. Below is a complete look at the life and career of Regina King, grounded in reliable sources.
How old is Regina King?
Regina Rene King
55 years old (born January 15, 1971)
Actress, Director, Producer
Academy Award · Golden Globe · 4 Primetime Emmys
- Regina King is one of the most decorated African-American actresses, with a career spanning over three decades.
- She achieved the rare feat of winning an Emmy for four different television series.
- Her directorial debut feature film One Night in Miami (2020) received critical acclaim.
- In 2022, her only son Ian Alexander Jr. died by suicide, a tragedy she has publicly spoken about.
- She is known for consistently choosing powerful, socially relevant roles in both film and television.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 55 (born January 15, 1971) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Height | 5’4″ (163 cm) |
| Spouse | Ian Alexander Sr. (divorced) |
| Children | 1 son (Ian Alexander Jr., deceased) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $16 million (2025) |
| Most Famous Role | Sharon Rivers in If Beale Street Could Talk |
King grew up in Los Angeles with her younger sister Reina. Her mother Gloria was a special education teacher and her father Thomas worked as an electrician. The couple divorced when King was eight years old, according to biographical sources.
What is Regina King’s net worth?
No official figure for Regina King’s net worth has been publicly disclosed by the actress or her representatives. Various celebrity finance websites estimate her wealth to be in the range of $10–20 million, with some reports pointing toward $16 million as of 2025. These figures are not independently verified and should be treated as approximations.
The lack of a verified public financial record means that any net worth number for Regina King is speculative. The figure of $16 million cited by some outlets is based on her decades of acting, directing, and endorsement work, but no authoritative source has confirmed it.
King’s income sources include film salaries, television work, directing fees, and producing credits. She has starred in major studio films and critically acclaimed indie projects, as well as directing the Oscar-contending One Night in Miami. Her long-running voice role on The Boondocks also contributed to her earnings.
Who is Regina King’s son?
Regina King’s only child, Ian Alexander Jr., was born in 1996. He was the son of King and her former husband Ian Alexander Sr. Alexander Jr. followed his mother into the arts, working as a musician and DJ under the name “Desdyn.” He appeared alongside King at red carpet events and was often described as her pride.
What happened to Regina King’s son?
Ian Alexander Jr. died in January 2022 at the age of 26. The cause of death was suicide, as confirmed by King in a statement and reported by multiple news outlets. King has since spoken publicly about her grief and about the importance of mental health awareness, particularly within the Black community.
Following her son’s death, Regina King has used her platform to encourage open conversations about mental health. She has shared that she and her family are navigating their loss privately while also supporting organizations that work on suicide prevention.
Who is Regina King’s husband?
Regina King was married to Ian Alexander Sr. from 1997 to 2007. The couple divorced after ten years of marriage. Ian Alexander Sr. is the father of her only child. Since the divorce, King has not publicly confirmed any subsequent relationships, and details about her current marital status are not available from authoritative sources.
No reliable public records or interviews specify whether Regina King has been in a relationship after her divorce. Speculation on this topic should be avoided, as the actress has chosen to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.
What movies and TV shows has Regina King starred in?
King’s filmography is extensive, spanning more than 80 acting credits. She made her debut at age 14 playing Brenda Jenkins on the sitcom 227, a role she held for five seasons. Her early film work includes John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood (1991), Poetic Justice (1993), and Higher Learning (1995).
Mainstream recognition came with Jerry Maguire (1996), where she played the wife of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character, and Enemy of the State (1998), opposite Will Smith. She later appeared in Ray, Miss Congeniality 2, and voiced Huey and Riley Freeman on The Boondocks from 2005 to 2014.
What character did Regina King play on The Simpsons?
Contrary to a persistent rumor, Regina King does not have a credited role on The Simpsons. The confusion likely arises because she voiced two main characters on The Boondocks, another animated show with a satirical tone. No reliable source lists her as a cast member of The Simpsons.
What are Regina King’s most famous movies?
Her most acclaimed role is Sharon Rivers in Barry Jenkins’s If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also starred in The Harder They Fall (2021) and played Shirley Chisholm in the biopic Shirley (2024). On television, she won Emmys for American Crime (2015–2017), Seven Seconds (2018), and Watchmen (2019). Other notable TV roles include Detective Lydia Adams on Southland and Janine Davis on The Big Bang Theory.
What are Regina King’s major life and career milestones?
- 1971 – Born in Los Angeles, California.
- 1985 – Breakout role as Brenda Jenkins on the sitcom 227.
- 1990s – Appears in films such as Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Enemy of the State.
- 2000s – Roles in Ray, Miss Congeniality 2, The Boondocks (voice).
- 2015–2017 – Wins three Primetime Emmys for American Crime.
- 2018 – Wins Primetime Emmy for Seven Seconds.
- 2019 – Wins Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk.
- 2020 – Directs One Night in Miami.
- 2022 – Son Ian Alexander Jr. dies.
- 2024 – Stars in and directs Shirley.
What facts about Regina King are confirmed and what is uncertain?
| Established information | Uncertain or unverified information |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: January 15, 1971. | Net worth: widely reported estimates range from $12 million to $20 million; no official public disclosure. |
| Acting credits and major awards (Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe). | Height: commonly listed as 5’4″ but not officially verified. |
| Son Ian Alexander Jr. died in January 2022 (confirmed by family and news sources). | Current relationship status: no confirmed information about a partner post-divorce. |
| Divorced from Ian Alexander Sr. (documented). | Early life details beyond basic biography are sparse in authoritative sources. |
How has Regina King shaped her career and the industry?
Regina King rose to prominence in the 1980s and built a career defined by powerful performances across genres. Her transition from actress to critically acclaimed director highlights her versatility and influence in Hollywood. She is frequently praised for bringing depth to complex, often underrepresented stories and characters. Her personal tragedy with her son’s suicide has also drawn attention to mental health awareness within the Black community and the entertainment industry.
What are some notable quotes from and about Regina King?
“I am every woman and I have every emotion.” — Regina King in a 2020 interview.
“She is one of the finest actors of her generation and a remarkable director.” — Common praise from critics.
King’s Academy Award acceptance speech for If Beale Street Could Talk in 2019 and her statements regarding her son’s passing, shared on social media, are among the most widely cited sources of her own words.
Where does Regina King’s career go from here?
King is set to star in and direct the biopic Shirley (2024), which tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. She continues to be an advocate for mental health and representation in the arts. Additional projects in development have not yet been publicly announced. For a deeper look at her Oscar-winning performance, see our coverage of If Beale Street Could Talk and her directorial debut One Night in Miami.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Regina King?
Regina King is approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall.
What is Regina King’s real name?
Her full name is Regina Rene King.
Is Regina King still acting?
Yes, she continues to act and direct. Her upcoming film Shirley is both starring and directed by her.
What is Regina King’s ethnicity?
She is African-American, born to a mother who was a special education teacher and a father who was an electrician.
How many children does Regina King have?
She had one child, a son named Ian Alexander Jr., who passed away in 2022.
What did Regina King look like when she was young?
Regina King began acting at age 14 on the sitcom 227 and was known for her youthful appearance. Early photos and videos from that role are available online.
Has Regina King won an Oscar?
Yes, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2019 for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk.
What is Regina King’s estimated net worth in 2025?
Estimates generally place her net worth around $16 million, accumulated through acting, directing, and endorsements, though no official figure exists.
Related stories
Philip Rowe is Senior Reporter at UKBullet.uk, covering breaking UK news stories.