Paige Hurd is an American actress with an estimated net worth of $2 million. She began her acting career at age eight. Over more than two decades, she successfully transitioned from a child performer to a lead actress in major television dramas.
Early Life and Childhood Acting Career
Paige Audrey-Marie Hurd was born on July 20, 1992, in Dallas, Texas. She studied at the Dallas Young Actors Studio before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She made her television debut in a 2000 episode of Felicity.
As a child and pre-teen, she appeared in guest roles on popular network programs such as Boomtown, George Lopez, and The Division.
Major Early Film Roles and Bond with DMX
In 2003, Hurd starred in the action film Cradle 2 the Grave as Vanessa, the daughter of Anthony Fait, played by the late rapper DMX. During filming, Hurd and DMX formed a close bond, and the artist became her godfather. Hurd remained close with DMX and his family until his death in 2021.
Later that year, she appeared as Denise in the family comedy The Cat in the Hat, starring Mike Myers. By age 11, Hurd had acted in two major Hollywood studio films.
In 2005, she played Vanessa Norris in Beauty Shop, a Barbershop spin-off starring Queen Latifah. The cast also featured Alicia Silverstone, Kevin Bacon, and Djimon Hounsou. During the same period, she appeared on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Medium, and ER.
Breakthrough with “Everybody Hates Chris”
Hurd gained widespread recognition in 2006 when she joined the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. She played Tasha Clarkson, the clever neighbor who moves into Chris’s Brooklyn neighborhood during the second season.
She appeared in 17 episodes between 2006 and 2009. The storyline concluded in the fourth-season episode “Everybody Hates Tasha,” where she agrees to become his girlfriend. The role remains one of her most recognized television performances.
Transition to Adult Roles, Music Videos, and Television Hits
After Everybody Hates Chris, Hurd balanced indie films with music video appearances. She played Justin Bieber’s love interest in the 2010 music video for “Never Let You Go.” Her music video work also includes spots for Nas (“Daughters”), G-Eazy (“I Mean It”), and Romeo Miller (“Mistletoe”).
Hurd experienced professional lulls after child acting, but several television roles revitalized her career:
- Hawaii Five-0 (2013-2017): Played Samantha Grover, the daughter of SWAT commander Lou Grover (Chi McBride), across seven episodes.
- The Oval (2019-present): Played Gayle Franklin, the rebellious daughter of the President, in Tyler Perry’s BET drama.
- Power Book II: Ghost (2020-2023): Starred as Lauren Baldwin, a law student and love interest to Tariq St. Patrick, across the first three seasons of the Starz series.
Recent Projects: “Girl in the Garage” and Beyond
In recent years, Hurd has focused on dramatic and thriller films. In 2025, she starred in the Lifetime film Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story. Portraying survivor Laura Cowan, Hurd worked directly with Cowan, who served as a co-producer.
Her 2025 projects also include starring as Sarayah in the BET+ action thriller To Get Her alongside Amber Stevens West, and appearing in The Accused.
Personal Life and Marriage to Royce O’Neale
Hurd maintains privacy in her personal life. She began dating NBA player Royce O’Neale in 2024. After getting engaged in Mexico in February 2025, the couple married on July 18, 2026, at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, before 220 guests.
Walking down the aisle, Hurd included a tribute to her late godfather by using a custom string arrangement of DMX’s song “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” mixed with the traditional “Wedding March,” accompanied by a gospel choir. DMX’s former wife, Tashera Simmons, was among the attendees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paige Hurd
What is Paige Hurd’s net worth?
Paige Hurd has an estimated net worth of $2 million, earned through her career in television, film, and modeling.
When was Paige Hurd born?
She was born on July 20, 1992, in Dallas, Texas.
What is Paige Hurd best known for?
She is known for playing Tasha Clarkson on Everybody Hates Chris, Lauren Baldwin on Power Book II: Ghost, Gayle Franklin on The Oval, and Vanessa in Cradle 2 the Grave.
Who is Paige Hurd married to?
Paige Hurd married NBA player Royce O’Neale on July 18, 2026, at Oheka Castle in New York.
Who was Paige Hurd’s famous godfather?
The late rapper DMX was Paige Hurd’s godfather, a relationship that began after they co-starred in the 2003 film Cradle 2 the Grave.
