Here’s a full look at the phenomenal Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett
Full Name: Angela Evelyn Bassett
Born: August 16, 1958 – New York City, USA
Occupation: Actress, Director, Producer
Known For: Powerful portrayals of iconic Black women, commanding presence, and versatility on screen and stage.
Early Life
- Raised in St. Petersburg, Florida by her mother after her parents separated.
- Excelled academically and artistically in high school.
- Attended Yale University, earning a B.A. in African American Studies (1980).
- Earned a M.F.A. in Drama (1983) from the Yale School of Drama, where she trained under renowned teacher Lloyd Richards.
Career Highlights
Breakthrough Roles
- “What’s Love Got to Do with It” (1993) – Played Tina Turner in the acclaimed biopic.
- Earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
- Won a Golden Globe Award.
Other Iconic Performances
- “Boyz n the Hood” (1991) – Treated as a mother figure in this landmark urban drama.
- “Waiting to Exhale” (1995) – Delivered a fiery, unforgettable performance as Bernadine.
- “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998) – Starred opposite Taye Diggs.
- “The Rosa Parks Story” (2002) – Won an Emmy nomination for her moving portrayal of Rosa Parks.
- “American Horror Story” (2013–present) – Fan-favorite roles in multiple seasons, earning Emmy nods.
- “Black Panther” (2018) & “Wakanda Forever” (2022) – Played Queen Ramonda, earning widespread praise.
- For Wakanda Forever, she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, the first Marvel performance to win a major acting award.
Television Work
- ER (2008) – Guest role earned her another Emmy nomination.
- 9-1-1 (2018–present) – Stars as LAPD patrol sergeant Athena Grant, also serves as executive producer.
Awards & Recognition
- Golden Globe Award (1994, 2023).
- Multiple Emmy nominations.
- Two Academy Award nominations (What’s Love Got to Do with It, Wakanda Forever).
- Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2008).
- Celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most respected and enduring actresses.
Personal Life
- Married to actor Courtney B. Vance since 1997.
- They are parents to twins, Bronwyn and Slater.
- Known for her grace, discipline, and dedication to telling powerful Black stories.
Legacy
Angela Bassett is admired for:
- Her intense, regal screen presence.
- Commitment to portraying strong, complex Black women.
- Longevity and consistency in Hollywood.
- Inspiring generations of actresses to demand better roles and representation.
