Being Gabrielle Union

Happy birthday, Gabrielle Union!

Being Gabrielle Union - When it comes to being an alpha female who is in charge of her career and passionate about her family, Mary Jane Paul comes to mind — and so does the woman who portrays her. Gabrielle Union is beautiful, talented and strong, so click on to learn a little bit more about the star of BET's Original Movie encore of Being Mary Jane, and join us in wishing her a very happy birthday! (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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Being Gabrielle Union - When it comes to being an alpha female who is in charge of her career and passionate about her family, Mary Jane Paul comes to mind — and so does the woman who portrays her. Gabrielle Union is beautiful, talented and strong, so click on to learn a little bit more about the star of BET's Original Movie encore of Being Mary Jane, and join us in wishing her a very happy birthday! (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Born and Raised - Although this beauty is all about Hollywood and Miami these days, she was born in raised in Omaha, Nebraska, before hitting the big time. (Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage)

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Born and Raised - Although this beauty is all about Hollywood and Miami these days, she was born in raised in Omaha, Nebraska, before hitting the big time. (Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage)

Education Comes First - Before hitting Hollywood as a superstar leading lady, Gabrielle Union attended UCLA and received a bachelor's degree in sociology.   (Photo: BRJ/Fame Pictures)

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Education Comes First - Before hitting Hollywood as a superstar leading lady, Gabrielle Union attended UCLA and received a bachelor's degree in sociology.   (Photo: BRJ/Fame Pictures)

Habla Espanol? - A little known fact about Gabrielle Union is that she speaks Spanish fluently. This could come in handy when she's out to snag leading roles. (Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)

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Habla Espanol? - A little known fact about Gabrielle Union is that she speaks Spanish fluently. This could come in handy when she's out to snag leading roles. (Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity

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A True Fan - New Edition is one of Gabrielle Union's favorite groups. Can you blame her? They've stood the test of time and 30 years later they're still going strong.  (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

Photo By Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week/ Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union - Their relationship started with a scandal (Wade was still married when he fell in love with Union), but they didn't let haters hold them down. The Miami Heat all-star and the Think Like a Man star are in no rush to walk down the aisle, but it's still a possibility. "We both took failing at marriage hard," Wade says, but insists they aren't ruling it out. "If we marry again, we want it to be right."  (Photo: John Parra/WireImage)

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Love Birds - Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are royalty when it comes to Hollywood and sports couples. The lovebirds support each other, love each other unconditionally and look amazing together.   (Photo: John Parra/WireImage)

Gabrielle Union on dealing with being a rape victim: - "It wasn't long before I became uncomfortable with feeling like a victim.”(Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

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She Can't Be Tamed - Ironically, Gabrielle Union is no stranger to the classic Shakespeare tale The Taming of the Shrew. Well, she never starred in a classic version of the story, but she was in two adaptations: 10 Things I Hate About You and Deliver Us From Eva. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)