Niecy Nash

Carol Denise Betts (previously Nash, née Ensley; born February 23, 1970), known professionally as Niecy Nash-Betts , is an American actress. Her career began in the late 1990s, with appearances in the films Boys on the Side and Cookie's Fortune (1999). She garnered recognition for her portrayal of Deputy Raineesha Williams in the comedy series Reno 911! (2003–09, 2020–22), along with hosting the Style Network show Clean House (2003–10), for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.

Nash received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for starring as Denise "Didi" Ortley in the comedy-drama series Getting On (2013–15). She also portrayed Lolli Ballentine in the sitcom The Soul Man (2012–16), and Denise Hemphill in the horror-comedy series Scream Queens (2015–16). From 2017 to 2022, she played Desna Simms in the crime comedy-drama Claws (2017–22), winning a Satellite Award. In 2024 she played Detective Lois Tryon in the horror drama series Grotesquerie (2024) and currently stars as Emerald Greene in the legal drama series All's Fair (2025–present).

Nash collaborated with director Ava DuVernay in the drama films Selma (2014) and Origin (2023), and the miniseries When They See Us (2019), for which she was nominated for another Primetime Emmy Award. Nash also played feminist leader Florynce Kennedy in the miniseries Mrs. America (2020), and starred as Glenda Cleveland in the first season of the Netflix anthology series Monster (2022), winning severals awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress as well as receiving a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

Early life Nash was born Carol Denise Ensley, in Los Angeles, California, on February 23, 1970. She was raised in Compton, California. At the age of five, Nash developed an interest in entertainment after watching actress Lola Falana on television. When she was fifteen, Nash witnessed her mother get shot by an abusive boyfriend. She became a spokesperson for M.A.V.I.S. (Mothers Against Violence In Schools), the organization founded by her mother after the 1993 shooting death of Nash's younger brother, Michael. M.A.V.I.S.'s mission is to inform the public of the violence children encounter on school campuses. Nash graduated from Gardena High School, then later California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson, California.

Career

Early works

Nash made her professional acting debut in the 1995 comedy-drama film, Boys on the Side starring Whoopi Goldberg. On August 4, 2010, Nash announced that she was leaving Clean House, and that the show would continue without her.

Nash appeared on the tenth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars beginning in March 2010, where she was partnered with Louis van Amstel. On May 11, Nash and van Amstel were eliminated from the competition, taking fifth place. In 2011, she got her own reality show, Leave It To Niecy, on TLC, about her life with her new husband and stepson, but it was quickly cancelled. In that same year she was in a TLC wedding special. She also appeared in the films Code Name: The Cleaner (2007), Reno 911!: Miami (2007), Cook Off! (2007), Not Easily Broken (2009), G-Force (2009), and Trust Me (2013).

2012–present

In 2012, Nash began starring opposite Cedric the Entertainer in the TV Land sitcom The Soul Man, a spinoff of Hot in Cleveland. The series ran five seasons and ended in 2016. In 2013, she began starring opposite Laurie Metcalf in the HBO comedy series Getting On. She received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination for her role on the show in 2015 and 2016, as well as a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016. For her performance, Nash received positive critical reception, followed by more serious roles.

In 2014, Nash played Richie Jean Jackson, the wife of Dr. Sullivan Jackson, in the historical drama film Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay. DuVernay cast Nash after seeing her on the series Getting On. Selma was listed on many critics' top ten lists. Also that year, Nash joined the cast of the Fox comedy series The Mindy Project in a recurring role as Dr. Jean Fishman, a rival of the title character.

From 2015 to 2016, Nash co-starred on the Fox horror-comedy series Scream Queens Also in 2016, she was cast in the leading role in the Fox comedy pilot The Enforcers. The pilot, however, was not ordered to series. Nash later had a recurring role as Louise Bell in the Showtime period drama Masters of Sex.

In 2017, Nash was cast in a leading role in the TNT crime comedy-drama series Claws, produced by Rashida Jones, about a South Florida nail salon. Also in 2017, Nash appeared in Mary J. Blige's music video for "Strength of a Woman". For her dramatic turn in Claws, Nash has received critical praise. She received a Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, as well as another nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.

In July 2018, Nash received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television category. In August 2018, it was announced that Nash would star in and produce Naked With Niecy Nash, a late-night talk show for TNT. Later that year, Ava DuVernay cast her in the Netflix limited drama series When They See Us. For her performance, she received critical praise and a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.

In 2020, Nash starred in Netflix drama film, Uncorked, directed by Prentice Penny, and had a recurring role in the Netflix comedy-drama Never Have I Ever, created by Mindy Kaling. Also that year, she played civil rights advocate Florynce Kennedy in the Hulu miniseries Mrs. America. Later in 2020, Nash signed on to host her own syndicated daytime talk show for CBS Television Distribution. Nash reprised her role as Deputy Raineesha Williams in the seventh season of Reno 911! which aired on Quibi. She starred in the Lifetime movie Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story playing Gloria Williams, her abductor. She also appeared in the 2021 Paramount+ movie Reno 911! The Hunt for QAnon. The eighth season of the series, titled Reno 911! Defunded, premiered on The Roku Channel in February 2022. During season five of The Masked Singer, Nash served as a guest host while regular series host Nick Cannon recovered from COVID-19. On April 28, 2021, Fox announced that it had ordered a revival of Don't Forget the Lyrics with Nash as host. It premiered on May 23, 2022.

Nash guest-starred on two episodes of The Rookie, titled "Simone" and "Enervo", which served as a backdoor pilot centered on her character and aired on April 24 and May 1, 2022. On May 13, 2022, the spinoff, titled The Rookie: Feds, was ordered. The series premiered on September 27, 2022. In July 2022, Nash signed a first-look television deal with Entertainment One. Also that year, she played the title character's mother in the drama film, Beauty.

In late 2022, Nash starred as Glenda Cleveland in the Netflix true-crime limited series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. She received positive reviews for her performance. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. Additionally, she received nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. The following year, she starred in the biographical drama film Origin by Ava DuVernay, based on the life of Isabel Wilkerson. It premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2023, and began a limited theatrical release in January 2024. In June of 2023, Nash was honored as The Hollywood Reporter'''s Raising Our Voices Trailblazer at the second annual Raising Our Voices luncheon.

In May 2025, it was announced that Nash would be one of the grand marshals at the L.A. Pride parade.

Personal life In February 1993, Nash's brother Michael Ensley was shot and killed at the age of 17 by a 16-year-old gunman at Reseda High School in California. In the aftermath, Nash began telling jokes to help her mother cope with depression. "That is when I knew I had a gift to do comedy. I decided I was going to go out and spread this around as a means to help the other people who are suffering."

Nash was married for 13 years to Don Nash, an ordained minister. They filed for divorce in June 2007, and have three children together.

In September 2010, Nash became engaged to Jay Tucker. Nash participated in a TLC reality show that followed the preparations for the wedding. On May 28, 2011, they were married at the Church Estate Vineyard in Malibu. On October 30, 2019, Nash announced her pending divorce from Tucker via Instagram. On June 21, 2020, the divorce was finalized.

On August 29, 2020, Nash married singer Jessica Betts, whom Nash refers to as her "hersband". Nash has not elected to label herself or identify with any sexual orientation. She said in an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' that she did not feel that she was "coming out" as she was not sexually repressed prior to her marriage to Betts.

Nash-Betts is an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Chapter on July 11, 2026 at the Grand Boule in Nashville, Tennessee.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1995 Boys on the Side Woman at Diner 1999 Cookie's Fortune Wanda Carter The Bachelor African-American Bride 2003 Malibu's Most Wanted Gladys 2004 Hair Show Debra 2005 Jepardee! Keisha Jenkins Short film Guess Who Naomi Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie Mama Robin Voice 2007 Code Name: The Cleaner Jacuzzi Reno 911!: Miami Deputy Raineesha Williams Cook Off! Ladybug Briggs 2008 Horton Hears a Who! Miss YelpVoice Mrs. C Anesthesiologist Short film 2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Herself Not Easily Broken Michelle The Proposal Stewardess Cameo appearance G-Force Rosalita 2013 Trust Me Angie Nurse 3D Regina 2014 Walk of Shame Bus Driver Selma Richie Jean Jackson 2017 Downsizing Leisureland Salesperson 2020 Uncorked Sylvia 2022 Beauty Beauty’s Mother 2023 OriginMarion Russell Wilkerson

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1996 Party of Five Nurse Episode: "Spring Breaks: Part 1" 1998 Rude Awakening Gaynielle Episode: "Naked Again" 1999 Malcolm & Eddie Jackie Episode: "B.S. I Still Love You" Time of Your Life Clerk Episode: "The Time She Came to New York" 2000 City of Angels Eveline Walker Recurring cast (season 1) Popular Teacher Episode: "Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle" Any Day Now Miss Lavonde Episode: "Lighten Up, Rene" 2001 Rude Awakening Caller #3 Episode: "Altar Ego" Kate Brasher June/Jane Clark Episode: "Tracy" One on One Darla Episode: "Fifteen Candles" That's Life Darlene Episode: "Plus One" & "Idiots" NYPD Blue Tonya Dunbar Episode: "Baby Love" Judging Amy Letitia Sitz Episode: "Beating the Bounds" 2002 Reba Maya Episode: "He's Having a Baby" Girlfriends LaShelle Episode: "Just Dessert" For Your Love Clerk Episode: "The Blast from the Past" Presidio Med Nurse Episode: "Milagros" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Snuff film processor Episode: "Snuff" 2003 That's So Raven Madame Cassandra / Shirley Episode: "Psychics Wanted" ER Judith Anderson Episode: "Missing" Kid Notorious Tollie Mae (voice) Main cast 2003–05 The Bernie Mac Show Benita Guest cast (season 2-4) 2003–09, 2020–22 Reno 911! Raineesha Williams Main cast 2003–10 Clean House Herself/host Main cast (season 1-9) 2004 Half & Half Carla Episode: "The Big Mother of a Mother's Day Rides Again Episode" Monk Varla Davis Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Girl Who Cried Wolf" 2005 My Name Is Earl Rhonda Gibbs Episode: "Cost Dad the Election" 2006 The Boondocks Cookie Freeman (voice) Episode: "Wingmen" Minoriteam Fasto's Mama (voice) Recurring cast 2007 Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Herself Episode: "Dating for Publicity" 2007–09 Slacker Cats Mrs. Boots (voice) Recurring cast 2007–13 American Dad! Additional voices (voice) Recurring cast 2008 MADtv Herself Episode #14.1 The Mighty B! Miriam Breedlove (voice) 2 episodes Chocolate News Trina Harper Episode: "Episode 2" Do Not Disturb Rhonda Peet Main cast 2009 The Real Housewives of Atlanta Herself Episode: "New Attitude, Same ATL" 2009–10 Messiest Home Herself Recurring cast 2010 New Now Next Awards Herself/host TV special RuPaul's Drag Race Herself / guest judge Episode: "The Snatch Game" Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business Herself Episode: "It's a Celebration" Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant (season 10) Gary Unmarried Charleen Episode: "Gary Tries to Find Something for Mitch" & "Gary Unmarried?" The Cleveland Show Janet (voice) Episode: "Another Bad Thanksgiving" 2011 Way Black When: Primetime Herself/host Episode #1.6 Annual Trumpet Awards Herself/host TV special The LeBrons Gloria (voice) Main cast 2012 Celebrity Wife Swap Herself Episode: "Niecy Nash/Tina Yothers" Leave It to Niecy Herself Main cast Let's Talk About Love Herself Main cast 2012–16 The Soul Man Lolli Ballentine Main cast 2013 Life After Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph: Life After Dreamgirls" Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Herself Episode: "Celebrity Week 4 & 5" Hollywood Game Night Herself/panelist Episode: "America's Got Game Night" Ben and Kate Roz Episode: "Father-Daughter Dance" 2013–15 Getting On Denise "Didi" Ortley Main cast 2014 Exhale Herself Episode: "What Is Love?" Family Game Night Herself Episode: "Celebrity Edition: Niecy Nash" Bad Teacher Carla Episode: "What's Old Is New" The Mindy Project Jean Fishman Recurring cast (season 3) 2015 Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "Cheryl Hines vs. Niecy Nash/Duck Dynasty vs. Katy Mixon" Hollywood Game Night Herself / celebrity player Episode: "Cedric Gives Niecy a Hand" 2015–16 TripTank Additional voices (voice) Recurring cast Scream Queens Denise Hemphill Recurring cast 2016 The $100,000 Pyramid Herself / celebrity player Episode: "Kevin Pollak vs. Niecy Nash" Brooklyn Nine-Nine Debbie Holt Episode: "The Cruise" Masters of Sex Louise Bell Recurring cast (season 4) As the Fire Pit Burns Jennifer Bowen-Brown Main cast 2016–19 Match Game Herself / celebrity player Recurring guest 2017 Drop the Mic Herself Episode: "Niecy Nash vs. Cedric the Entertainer" Modern Family Joan Episode: "All Things Being Equal" Angie Tribeca Pandora Episode: "Go Get 'Em, Tiger" 2017–22 Claws Desna Simms Main cast 2018 Kevin Hart: What The Fit Herself Episode: "Firefighting with Niecy Nash" Fresh Off the Boat Wilhelmina Episode: "Big Baby" A.P. Bio Kim Episode: "Teacher Jail" Speechless Kiki Episode: "J-i-Jingle T-h-Thon" 2018–19 Family Guy Sheila (voice) Recurring cast (season 17), guest (season 18) 2019 Black Girls Rock! Herself/host TV special When They See Us Delores Wise Main cast Marvel Rising: Playing with Fire Shocktress (voice) Episode: "Playing with Fire" 2020 Behind Her Faith Herself Episode: "Niecy Nash" I Can See Your Voice Herself/panelist 2 episodes The Masked Singer Herself / guest panelist Episode: "The Group A Finals - The Masked Frontier" Celebrity Game Face Herself Episode: "Sweatsuit Charades and Donut Holes" A Million Little Things Gloria Episode: "The Kiss" Mrs. America Flo Kennedy Recurring cast Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story Gloria Williams TV movie 2020–23 Never Have I Ever Jamie Ryan Recurring cast; 16 episodes 2021 The Masked Singer Herself Host (season 5) GLAAD Media Awards Herself/host TV special Q-Force Caryn (voice) Recurring cast The Problem with Jon Stewart Thelma Episode: "Guns" Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon Raineesha Williams TV movie 2022 About Last Night Herself Episode: "Casey Wilson/Niecy Nash/Damion Lee/Sydel Curry Lee" Don't Forget the Lyrics! Herself/host TV series; also executive producer Finding Your Roots Herself Episode #9.3 Celebrity Game Face Herself Episode: "Tournament of Losers" Monster Glenda Cleveland (season 1) Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist Raineesha Williams TV movie 2022–23 The Rookie Simone Clark Recurring cast (season 4-5) The Rookie: Feds Simone Clark Main cast 2022–24 Don't Forget the Lyrics! Herself/host Main host 2023 Finding Your Roots Herself Episode: "Secret Lives" Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode #10.8 Agent Elvis Bertie (voice) Main cast Human Resources Hope (voice) Recurring cast (season 2) 2024 We Are Family Herself Episode: "Hey Mama!" Grotesquerie Lois Tryon Main cast 2025 All's Fair Emerald Greene Main cast 2026 The Hunting Party Erica Burke Episode: "Adrian Gallo"

Music videos Year Title Artist Role 2017 "Family Feud" Jay-Z featuring Beyoncé Herself 2019 "My Type (Claws Remix)" Saweetie Desna Simms 2024 "To the Moon" Meghan Trainor Boss

Video games Year Title Role 2004 Spider-Man 2 Additional Voices (voice) Awards and nominations

Major associations Emmy Awards Year Category Work Result Ref. Daytime Emmy Awards 2009 Outstanding Lifestyle Program Clean House Outstanding Special Class Special 2010 Outstanding Lifestyle Program Outstanding Special Class Special Primetime Emmy Awards 2014 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Getting On 2016 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2019 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie When They See Us 2023 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Golden Globe Awards Year Category Work Result Ref. 2023 Best Supporting Actress - Television Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Screen Actors Guild Awards Year Category Work Result Ref.2023 Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Other awards and honors

Association Year Category Work ResultRef.African-American Film Critics Association 2019 Best Ensemble When They See Us 2023 Best Actress Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Astra TV Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Streaming Movie Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Black Film Critics Circle 2014 Best Ensemble Selma Black Reel Awards 2014 Best Ensemble Selma 2018 Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Claws 2019 Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or Movie When They See Us 2023 Outstanding Supporting Performance in a TV Movie/Limited Series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Celebration of Cinema and Television 2025 Groundbreaker Award Grotesquerie Critics' Choice Movie Award2014 Best Acting Ensemble Selma Critics' Choice Super Awards 2023 Best Actress in a Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story 2024 Best Actress in a Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie Grotesquerie Critics' Choice Television Awards 2016 Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Getting On 2020 Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie When They See Us 2023 Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Denver Film Festival 2025 CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Film Award Herself GLAAD Media Awards 2024 Stephen F. Kolzak Award Herself Gracie Awards 2009 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Reno 911! NAACP Image Awards 2014Outstanding Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Soul Man 2015 2017 2019 Claws 2020 Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie or Series When They See Us 2023 Outstanding Actress in a Television Series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Online Film Critics Society 2016 Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Getting On 2020 Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Limited Series When They See Us Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series 2023 Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Limited or Anthology Series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Satellite Awards 2018 Best Actress - Television Series Musical or ComedyClaws 2019 Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Movie When They See Us Shorty Awards 2019 Storyteller of the Year Herself Women's Image Network Awards 2020 Best Actress Television Movie/Limited Series Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 2014 Best Ensemble Selma