Nia Long Remembers Late Friend Heavy D on His 54th Heavenly Birthday

Actress Nia Long took to social media to pay a birthday tribute to her late friend, rapper Heavy D, who passed away more than a decade ago. He would have turned 54 on May 24.

"Friday" star Nia Long recently remembered her dear friend, rapper Heavy D, who passed away in November 2011 due to embolism. She shared a snap on Instagram to honor the late rapper on his birthday.

The throwback photo showed the acclaimed actress, who sported afro hair and hoop earrings, pulling off a smize beside Heavy D, whose real name was Dwight Arrington Myers.

Heavy D coyly smiled at the camera. Seeing the Jamaican-American rapper's signature look and smile made Long reminisce about their friendship. She wrote:

"I miss you Hev!!! Happy Heavenly Birthday my forever everything. ♥️"

Like Nia, several celebrities who knew Heavy D very well wished the "Somebody For Me" hitmaker a happy birthday. Fans also remarked that Heavy D was a legendary rapper.

Heavy D, one of hip-hop's most influential voices in the late '80s and '90s, died due to pulmonary embolism caused by a deep vein thrombosis, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

The coroners' investigation revealed that a blood clot likely formed in the "Tower Heist" star's leg and made its way onto his lungs while traveling from London to Los Angeles.

Along with his band, Heavy D & the Boyz, the rap icon etched his name in the music industry with five U.S. Top 40 albums, including his 1991 hit "Now That We Found Love."

Besides his singing career, the hip-hop star also ventured into acting, appearing in several TV shows, including "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Heavy D was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his 1995 off-Broadway play "Riff Raff." Afterward, he received the 2006 NAACP Spirit Award for his performance in the "Medal of Honor Rag."

With several acting credits under her belt and more movie projects underway, Long continues to shine.

Like Heavy D, Long is no stranger to success in the entertainment industry. Among the acting recognitions she has received was the 2000 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress.

The veteran actress has starred in many films such as "Love Jones" and "Soul Food" and appeared in several TV shows, including "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Judging Amy."

More recently, she starred in the psychological thriller "Fatal Affair" on Netflix and "The Banker" on AppleTV+. With several acting credits under her belt and more movie projects underway, Long continues to shine.

The actress will soon star in and produce the series "Paper Gods" on ABC. She will also begin production of her upcoming film "Dreams Of The Moon."