Tatyana Ali's Real Name: Tatyana Marisol Ali

Quick answer: The actress is known professionally as Tatyana Ali. BlackPast, Encyclopedia.com, and TV Guide independently identify her as Tatyana Marisol Ali. BlackPast and Encyclopedia.com independently date her birth to January 24, 1979, in North Bellmore, New York (BlackPast; Encyclopedia.com).

Real name and early life

She is known professionally as Tatyana Ali. BlackPast calls her Tatyana Marisol Ali and dates her birth to January 24, 1979, in North Bellmore, New York. Encyclopedia.com independently gives the full name Tatyana Marisol Ali and the same January 24, 1979, North Bellmore, NY, birth, and lists the heading form Tatyana M. Ali. TV Guide independently lists the birth name Tatyana Marisol Ali and the birthplace Long Island, New York, without a date in the biography. Encyclopedia.com says she later received an undergraduate degree from Harvard University in Afro-American history and government in 2002; BlackPast independently says she graduated from Harvard in 2002 with a B.A. in African-American Studies and Government, and that she often showcased her singing on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Career highlights

BlackPast says she began her career singing at the age of four, appeared on Sesame Street at the age of six, had a small role in August Wilson's Fences on Broadway in 1985, and, in 1990, landed the role of Ashley Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a series it dates through 1996. It also says she graduated from Marymount High School in 1997. Encyclopedia.com names her parents as Sheriff Ali, a police detective, and Sonia Ali, a nurse. Encyclopedia.com independently cites awards connected with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. TV Guide independently notes a 1991 Young Artist nomination for the series and a 1996 NAACP Image Award for outstanding youth actress, plus later Image Awards for daytime drama work. BlackPast says that in 1998 she released her debut album, Kiss the Sky, with Sony Records, which included the singles "Daydreaming" and "Boy You Knock Me Out," featuring Will Smith, and that the single and album sold over 500,000 copies.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Tatyana Ali or Tatyana Marisol Ali are looking for the same North Bellmore-born actress, later known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. BlackPast, Encyclopedia.com, and TV Guide independently support the fuller name.