DeWanda Wise (born May 30, 1984) is an American actress from Jessup, Maryland. She gained wide recognition for her lead role as Nola Darling in Spike Lee’s Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It (2017-2019).
Her role as pilot Kayla Watts in Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) brought her a global mainstream audience.
Who is DeWanda Wise?
DeWanda Wise is an American actress who has worked across film, television, and theater over a career spanning nearly two decades. Born DeWanda Jackson in Jessup, Maryland, she grew up in a working-class area of Baltimore.
Her breakout role came in 2017 when Spike Lee cast her as Nola Darling in his Netflix adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It. That role earned her nominations from both the Black Reel Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.
She has also appeared in the Apple TV+ series Invasion, the revisionist Western The Harder They Fall (2021), and the horror film Imaginary (2024).
Her IMDb profile documents over 40 credits across her career. Wise has earned consistent critical praise for her screen presence, wit, and emotional depth across very different genres and tones.
Beyond on-screen work, she built a strong stage reputation in New York theater, particularly for her role in Dominique Morisseau’s acclaimed drama Sunset Baby.
Early Life of DeWanda Wise
DeWanda Wise was born on May 30, 1984, in Jessup, Maryland, United States. Her birth name is DeWanda Jackson. Her mother’s name is Margie Wise, and her father is John Jackson. She also has a sibling named Dwayne Wise.
She grew up in a working-class area of Baltimore and dreamed of acting from a young age. Wise discovered acting during her sophomore year at Atholton High School when her theater director offered her a part in a production instead of giving her detention.
That unexpected casting experience changed her path entirely.
After high school, Wise moved to New York to pursue her acting career professionally. She enrolled in the acting program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
DeWanda Wise Age
DeWanda Wise is 42 years old as of June 9, 2026, born on May 30, 1984.
Her zodiac sign is Gemini.
Most recently, she starred in the Apple TV+ series Invasion and the Blumhouse horror film Imaginary (2024), adding to an extensive catalog of film and television work.
DeWanda Wise Ethnicity and Nationality
DeWanda Wise holds American nationality, born and raised in Maryland.
She is African American, as confirmed across multiple biographical sources.
Her family background is rooted in Baltimore, Maryland, a city whose culture and working-class energy she has cited as a formative influence on her artistic perspective.
DeWanda Wise Height and Weight
DeWanda Wise stands at 5 feet 6 inches, which equals 1.68 meters.
Her weight is reported at approximately 59 kg, which is around 130 lbs.
Her athletic build and confident physical presence have been noted by reviewers, particularly for her action-oriented role as pilot Kayla Watts in Jurassic World: Dominion.
DeWanda Wise Education
Wise studied at Atholton High School in Maryland, where she first discovered acting. After high school, she enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
At Tisch, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama and urban studies in 2006. She also trained at the Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School during her time at NYU.
Her training extended beyond the classroom. While at NYU, she performed in Off-Broadway plays, and after graduation she continued acting in New York theater at night while auditioning for screen roles during the day.
DeWanda Wise Career
DeWanda Wise built her career steadily over two decades, moving from indie films and stage work to major studio releases and streaming series. Her path combined theatrical credibility with growing screen recognition.
Early Career and Stage Work
Wise made her screen debut in the short film Super Power in 2006. Her first feature film role came in Mark Brokaw’s drama Spinning Into Butter (2007), starring Sarah Jessica Parker. That same year she appeared in Steam (2007), co-starring Ally Sheedy and Ruby Dee.
In 2009, she had an uncredited role in Lee Daniels’ Oscar-winning drama Precious, starring Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique.
She earned wide acclaim in New York theater circles for originating the role of Nina in Dominique Morisseau’s production of Sunset Baby.
During this period, television guest spots built her on-screen presence. Wise appeared in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007), The Good Wife, Boardwalk Empire, and The Mentalist.
Breakthrough with She’s Gotta Have It
Wise’s career turned a major corner in 2016 and 2017. She landed a recurring role in the Fox series Shots Fired alongside Sanaa Lathan, then secured her breakthrough role as Nola Darling in Spike Lee’s Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It.
The series ran from 2017 to 2019 and positioned Wise as a leading actress in the streaming era.
She earned a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Television for Shots Fired in 2017. The following year, the NAACP Image Awards nominated her for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for She’s Gotta Have It.
She also appeared in both seasons of the WGN America drama Underground, alongside her husband Alano Miller.
Notable Films
Wise appeared in writer-director Tahir Jetter’s rom-com How to Tell You’re a Douchebag (2016), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
In 2019, her role as Erin Kennedy in the Netflix film Someone Great drew strong reviews. Variety called her performance the film’s MVP. In 2021, she joined the ensemble cast of director Jeymes Samuel’s revisionist Western The Harder They Fall, alongside Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, and Regina King.
Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) gave Wise her biggest mainstream role to date. She played pilot Kayla Watts opposite Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Entertainment Weekly singled her out as one of the film’s most memorable new characters.
Recent Work
Wise starred as Eileen Grady in the Apple TV+ series Invasion, a science fiction drama. The show ran for multiple seasons and gave her a long-form streaming lead role.
In 2023, she appeared in Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman alongside Annette Bening and Danny DeVito. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In 2024, Wise starred in Imaginary, a Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate horror film. Her range across blockbuster, arthouse, and genre projects has defined her post-2022 career phase.
DeWanda Wise Filmography
Key acting credits include Spinning Into Butter (2007), Precious (2009), Knucklehead (2015), How to Tell You’re a Douchebag (2016), She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix, 2017-2019), Someone Great (Netflix, 2019), The Harder They Fall (Netflix, 2021), Fatherhood (Netflix, 2021), Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), Poolman (2023), Invasion (Apple TV+), and Imaginary (2024).
Television credits include Underground, Shots Fired, Boardwalk Empire, The Mentalist, and The Twilight Zone (2019).
DeWanda Wise Awards and Recognition
Wise received a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Television for her work on Shots Fired in 2017. She also earned a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for She’s Gotta Have It in 2019.
Her role in Jurassic World: Dominion generated widespread critical praise from outlets including Entertainment Weekly, which called her a standout in the franchise’s sixth installment.
Wise has accumulated over 40 screen credits across her career, a body of work that spans major studio films, independent features, prestige drama, and genre television.
DeWanda Wise Husband
DeWanda Wise married actor Alano Miller on June 26, 2009. The couple met on February 12, 2009, and married after three months of dating.
Alano Miller is an American actor best known for his role as Cato in the WGN America drama series Underground. He and Wise appeared together on that show, making it one of the rare real-life couples to share an on-screen partnership.
The two have discussed their relationship publicly, including an appearance on the documentary series Black Love Doc. They live in Pasadena, California.
DeWanda Wise Net Worth
DeWanda Wise’s estimated net worth is $3 million as of 2026. Her income comes from acting in major film and television productions, including her role in the billion-dollar-grossing Jurassic World: Dominion.
Her recurring work on streaming series such as She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix) and Invasion (Apple TV+) provides a steady income base alongside her film work. Her theater and independent film background built the foundation before the larger studio and streaming roles arrived.
DeWanda Wise Social Media
DeWanda Wise is active on Instagram under the handle @dewandawise, where she shares updates on her projects, personal life, and advocacy work.
She uses her platform to speak on mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and broader cultural topics alongside updates from her professional career.
Her Instagram posts include behind-the-scenes content from film and television productions, as well as personal moments shared with her husband Alano Miller.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DeWanda Wise’s net worth?
DeWanda Wise’s estimated net worth is $3 million as of 2026, earned through major film roles, streaming series, and nearly two decades of screen and stage work.
How old is DeWanda Wise?
DeWanda Wise is 42 years old as of June 9, 2026. She was born on May 30, 1984, in Jessup, Maryland.
Who is DeWanda Wise married to?
DeWanda Wise married actor Alano Miller on June 26, 2009, after three months of dating. Miller is best known for his role in the WGN America drama series Underground.
What is DeWanda Wise’s height?
DeWanda Wise stands at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters).
What movies and projects has DeWanda Wise been in?
Wise is best known for She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix, 2017-2019), Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), The Harder They Fall (2021), and the Apple TV+ series Invasion. She also starred in Imaginary (2024).
Where was DeWanda Wise born?
DeWanda Wise was born in Jessup, Maryland, on May 30, 1984. She grew up in the Baltimore area.
The Bottom Line
DeWanda Wise played Kayla Watts in Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), a film that grossed over $1 billion globally. Entertainment Weekly singled her out as the franchise’s most memorable new addition.
She grew up in Baltimore, first discovered acting at Atholton High School instead of serving detention, and later earned a BFA in drama and urban studies from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her theater training in New York preceded her transition to screen work.
Wise continues to take on a range of roles across streaming, blockbuster, and genre film, most recently with the Blumhouse horror film Imaginary (2024).
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