Issa Rae's Early Life, Movies, TV Shows, Family, Net Worth
Issa Rae is a multi-talented American who is known for her work as an actress, comedian, writer, producer, and director. She first gained recognition for her role as J in the online series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” (2011-2013), which she not only starred in but also created, wrote, produced, and directed.
Her most notable accomplishments include co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in the HBO show “Insecure” (2016-2021), as well as appearing in the movies “The Hate U Give” (2018) and Barbie (2023).
Early Life & Family
Issa Rae, whose birth name is Jo-Issa Rae Diop, was born on January 12, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Delyna, hails from Louisiana and works as a teacher, while her father, Abdoulaye, is a neonatologist/pediatrician from Senegal.
During her childhood, Issa lived in Dakar, Senegal for a short period with her four siblings. Meanwhile, Rae’s upbringing in Potomac, Maryland included activities such as swimming, playing street hockey, and celebrating Passover dinners with her Jewish best friends, which were not typically associated with the Black community.
Issa’s family moved back to Los Angeles when she was in sixth grade and settled in the affluent View Park-Windsor Hills area.
Education
Issa Rae discovered her passion for acting while attending King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science, and her parents divorced during her teenage years.
After completing high school, Rae pursued a Bachelor of Arts in African and African-American Studies from Stanford University, graduating in 2007.
During her time at Stanford, she not only pursued her studies but also took on the roles of playwright, director, and creator of music videos and the satirical online show “Dorm Diaries.”
It was during her time as a student at Stanford that Issa crossed paths with Tracy Oliver, who would eventually become a co-star and producer on “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.”
Rae received a theater fellowship at the Public Theater in New York City after completing her degree. Along with Oliver, she also enrolled in courses at the New York Film Academy.
Despite contemplating attending law or business school, she ultimately chose not to pursue either option after the success of “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” in 2011.
Issa Rae’s Career
Following its release on YouTube in 2011, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” gained widespread popularity and attracted interest from various media outlets. To secure financing for the show, Issa Rae and Oliver initiated a Kickstarter campaign, which garnered over 1,900 contributions and raised a total of $56,000+.
In 2012, the web series received a Shorty Award for being the top web show. Afterward, she went on to produce popular YouTube series like “The Choir” (2013-2015) and “Roomieloverfriends” (2013-2014). Additionally, in 2014, Issa wrote the short film “Black Twitter Screening” and produced “Hard Times” and “Protect and Serve.”
Issa Rae’s entrance into the world of feature films was marked by her appearance in “A Bitter Lime” and her role as a producer for “Killing Lazarus” in 2015.
The following year, she took on the lead role in “Insecure,” a series that ran for five seasons and 44 episodes. This critically acclaimed show garnered numerous accolades, including 14 Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
The 2018 Peabody Awards recognized the series for its genuine portrayal of the lives of ordinary young black individuals in today’s society, while the American Film Institute included it on their list of the top 10 television shows of 2017.
In 2018, Issa took on the role of April Ofrah in the dramatic film “The Hate U Give,” adapted from Angie Thomas’ 2017 novel of the same title. Additionally, she voiced characters in two episodes of the animated Netflix series “BoJack Horseman.”
The following year, she appeared in the comedy “Little” alongside Regina Hall, her co-star from “The Hate U Give,” and Marsai Martin from “Black-ish.” She also started producing and appeared on the HBO show “A Black Lady Sketch Show.”
In 2020, Issa Rae had multiple projects, including acting alongside Lakeith Stanfield and Kumail Nanjiani in “The Photograph” and “The Lovebirds,” respectively. She also served as a host for “Saturday Night Live” and made guest appearances on “Sesame Street” and “#blackAF.”
Additionally, she starred in the HBO film “Coastal Elites.” In 2022, she was featured in the B. J. Novak-written and directed movie “Vengeance,” known for his role as Ryan Howard on NBC’s “The Office.”
Issa was revealed to be the voice of Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman in the animated Marvel movie “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” in June 2021. In April 2022, she was also chosen to star in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film “Barbie.”
Personal Life
In July 2021, Issa Rae tied the knot with Louis Diame, a successful entrepreneur, in France. She first debuted her engagement ring on the cover of “Essence” magazine in April 2019.
Issa has been a vocal advocate against police brutality towards African-Americans and, following the tragic 2016 incident involving the shooting of Alton Sterling, she raised $700,000 to support his children’s college education.
In addition, she actively supports the rights of women and minorities, collaborating with groups such as Black Lives Matter and the ACLU. On “Insecure,” Rae frequently features and promotes businesses owned by Black individuals, which has contributed to the gentrification of South L.A., where the show is set.
Net Worth
The successful rise of Issa Rae from YouTube to Hollywood, thanks to her relatable and sharp wit, serves as a prime example of the changing landscape of the entertainment world. Currently, in 2024, her net worth stands at $8 million.
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