How does a Yale-trained actress with a Tony nomination and hit films under her belt manage her wealth?
If you’ve ever wondered about Sanaa Lathan’s net worth, career earnings, and financial journey, you’re in the right place.
From Love & Basketball to Succession, her success spans decades.
Let’s take a look at how she built — and continues to grow — her fortune.
Sanaa Lathan Quick Facts
| FACT | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Sanaa McCoy Lathan |
| Popular Name | Sanaa Lathan |
| Birth Date | September 19, 1971 |
| Age | 53 (as of March 21, 2025) |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | UC Berkeley (BA, English), Yale University (MFA, Drama) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Shemar Moore (1991–1996) |
| Children | N/A |
| Dating | Formerly Omar Epps; Currently Single |
| Siblings | Tendaji Lathan, Colette Lathan, Arielle Lathan, Lilane Lathan |
| Parents | Stan Lathan, Eleanor McCoy |
| Height (meters) | 1.70 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million |
| Source of Wealth | Acting, Voice Acting, Directing, Theater |
What is the Net Worth Of Sanaa Lathan in 2025?
As of 2025, Sanaa Lathan’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million. While not among Hollywood’s ultra-wealthy, she has built consistent success through film, TV, voice acting, and most recently, directing. Compared to some of her peers, she maintains a modest yet impressive portfolio.
Some related individuals and entities in her career include:
- Stan Lathan
- Omar Epps
- Denzel Washington
- Queen Latifah
- Forest Whitaker
- Taye Diggs
- Tyler Perry
- Gina Prince-Bythewood
- Yale School of Drama
- The Cleveland Show
Explore more profiles of actors and entertainers with impressive financial journeys on our list of influential industry names.
Sanaa Lathan Wealth, Salary and Financial Overview
How much does she earn from films and television?
Her career kicked off with early roles in Blade, Life, and The Best Man, but her major financial turning point came with Love & Basketball (2000). That role didn’t just earn her awards like the NAACP Image Award and BET Award — it placed her firmly in the spotlight.
Later, Alien vs. Predator (2004) earned over $171 million worldwide, making it her highest-grossing film to date. Though her salary per project isn’t publicly disclosed, box office success often influences actor compensation — especially when they’re in lead roles.
Television has been another steady source. She played key roles in Nip/Tuck, Boss, and Shots Fired. Her work in Succession earned her an Emmy nomination and new attention. Voice acting — including her role as Donna Tubbs in The Cleveland Show — adds further diversity to her income streams.
What are the key sources of her income?
Sanaa’s earnings come from:
- Film: Leading roles in Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar, Out of Time
- Television: Regular appearances in Succession, The Affair, and others
- Voice Work: The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, Harley Quinn
- Theater: Broadway and Off-Broadway, including a Tony-nominated role
- Directing: Her debut On the Come Up (2022) premiered at TIFF
These varied roles reflect her artistic flexibility and business acumen.
How have her career milestones influenced her financial growth?
Sanaa’s financial momentum grew from smart role selection. The ensemble cast of The Best Man and its sequel The Best Man Holiday were among the top African-American films at the box office.
Her EAVs — like “Sanaa Lathan – Net Worth – $5 million” and “Alien vs. Predator – Box Office – $171 million” — illustrate clear financial returns on high-visibility projects.
Meanwhile, working with industry legends like Denzel Washington (Out of Time), Forest Whitaker (Vipaka), and Taye Diggs (Brown Sugar) amplified her marketability.
How does her educational background support her career value?
With a master’s degree from Yale University, Sanaa Lathan brought serious training into a notoriously unpredictable industry. Her performances in Shakespeare plays and Off-Broadway productions built her foundation. It’s this training that set her apart early on and continues to influence her performance quality and career choices.
Semantic triples like “Sanaa Lathan – studied at – Yale University” and “Sanaa Lathan – earned – MFA in Drama” point to education as a cornerstone of her career value.
How has she maintained financial stability over time?
What’s impressive isn’t just how much she’s earned, but how well she’s sustained relevance across decades. She moves between commercial hits and character-driven roles with ease. She’s selective and deliberate, avoiding oversaturation while still remaining a familiar name.
Semantic keywords such as “Sanaa Lathan net income”, “film income”, and “Sanaa Lathan finance details” all point to a strategic balance of quality and visibility.
What roles have had the biggest financial impact on her career?
Let’s name a few:
- Alien vs. Predator – Box office juggernaut
- Love & Basketball – Critical darling and award magnet
- The Best Man – Culturally iconic, high-earning film
- Succession – Recent Emmy-nominated spotlight
Each project added not just recognition, but career leverage.
What influence do awards and nominations have on her financial profile?
Awards give credibility — and credibility commands pay. She won the NAACP Image Award for Love & Basketball, was nominated for a Tony Award for A Raisin in the Sun, and earned an Emmy nod for Succession.
Semantic EREs like “Sanaa Lathan – received – NAACP Image Award” and “Sanaa Lathan – was nominated for – Tony Award” directly connect recognition to financial opportunity.
How does her personal life relate to her financial independence?
Sanaa was married to Shemar Moore from 1991 to 1996. She’s had public links to Omar Epps and French Montana but currently identifies as happily single. Her lifestyle is private and grounded — far from tabloid-heavy drama. This likely contributes to her professional longevity and financial independence.
The semantic triple “Sanaa Lathan – was married to – Shemar Moore” rounds out the picture of her personal stability.
How does she compare to her peers in terms of financial success?
While not as publicly wealthy as stars like Queen Latifah or Denzel Washington, she belongs to a respected group of classically trained actors with strong credibility. Working across stage and screen, she holds her own with consistent and layered performances.
Peers such as Taye Diggs, Omar Epps, and Forest Whitaker have crossed paths with her multiple times, suggesting both trust and mutual career respect.
Conclusion
That’s a look at her financial world — past, present, and what may come.
Like what you read?
Share your thoughts, leave a comment, or check out more celebrity profiles at andomoney.com.
