Who is Angela Bassett? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Angela Evelyn Bassett

Age: 66 Years, 66 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Courtney B. Vance (m. 1997)

father: Daniel Benjamin Bassett

mother: Betty Jane

siblings: D'nette Bassett Profiles

children: Bronwyn Vance, Slater Vance

Born Country: United States

Actresses T V & Movie Producers

Height: 5'4" (163 cm), 5'4" Females

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Yale University

Recommended For You

1

What are some iconic roles played by Angela Bassett?

Some of Angela Bassett's iconic roles include Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do with It," Stella Payne in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," and Ramonda in "Black Panther."
2

Has Angela Bassett ever won an Oscar?

No, Angela Bassett has not won an Oscar, but she has been nominated for Best Actress for her role in "What's Love Got to Do with It."
3

What is Angela Bassett's approach to staying healthy and fit?

Angela Bassett follows a rigorous workout routine that includes cardio, strength training, and yoga. She also maintains a healthy diet by eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
4

How did Angela Bassett prepare for her role in "American Horror Story?"

To prepare for her role in "American Horror Story," Angela Bassett did research on real-life historical figures and worked closely with the show's makeup and costume teams to fully embody her characters.
5

What other talents does Angela Bassett have besides acting?

In addition to acting, Angela Bassett is also a director, producer, and activist. She has directed TV movies and episodes, produced films, and used her platform to advocate for various social and political causes.

Recommended Lists:

Childhood & Early Life

Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958, in New York City, USA, to Betty Jane and Daniel Benjamin Bassett. Her father was an electrician and her mother worked as a nurse's aide.

When she was only ten months old, her parents sent her to Winston-Salem to live with her father's sister Aunt Golden. Her parents separated soon after, and her mother took her and her younger sister D'nette to St. Petersburg, Florida, to live with her grandparents.

Angela would visit the church on Sundays and was part of the youth choir. She loved listening to popular ‘Motown’ hits on the radio, and her mother would often make her and her sister dance for the songs. Later, a lady in their neighborhood helped them in forming a dance group

Her mother, who had slacked off in high school, didn't want her children to suffer the same fate, and was extra cautious that they do well in school. Angela attended ‘Boca Ciega High School’ where she became a member of the ‘Upward Bound’ program. She also became part of the debate team, student government, drama club, and choir.

She received her bachelor's degree in African-American studies from ‘Yale University’ in 1980. Three years later, she earned Master of Fine Arts degree from the ‘Yale School of Drama.’

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

Actresses Who Are In Their 60s

Female T V & Movie Producers

American TV & Movie Producers

Women Film & Theater Personalities

Career

Angela Bassett, who studied under renowned stage director Lloyd Richards, started her acting career on stage under his direction. She appeared in two August Wilson plays, namely 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' (1984) and 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' (1986) at the ‘Yale Repertory Theatre.’ Around the same time, she was featured in J. E. Franklin's 'Black Girl' at ‘Second Stage Theatre.’

She soon switched to TV and films. However, she was initially cast to play stereotypical roles reserved for African-American women. Her first major role came in 1991 when she was cast in John Singleton's 'Boyz n the Hood.' Her friend Laurence Fishburne, who also acted in the movie, had recommended her for the role.

Bassett, who is a big 'Jackson 5' fan, was offered the role of ‘Katherine Jackson’ in the mini-series 'The Jacksons: An American Dream' in 1992. She went on to play the role of ‘Betty Shabazz’ in the biopic 'Malcolm X' which released in the same year. She would portray ‘Betty Shabazz’ again in 'Panther' in 1995.

Her big breakthrough came in 1993 when she landed the role of ‘Tina Turner’ in the biographical film 'What's Love Got to Do with It.' Her friend Laurence Fishburne who had previously turned down the role of ‘Ike Turner’ five times, portrayed the character after Bassett was roped in to play the lead role.

In 1995 and 1998, she played major roles in two film adaptations of Terry McMillan’s books, 'Waiting to Exhale' and 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back,' respectively. In the former, she worked alongside Whitney Houston, one of the most awarded female artists of all time.

Angela Bassett continued to appear on stage productions, working with her husband Courtney B. Vance in 'His Girl Friday' in 2005. The next year, she starred in another August Wilson play titled 'Fences' alongside Fishburne.

In 2002, she played the protagonist in the biographical telefilm 'The Rosa Parks Story.' In 2006, she worked with Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne in the critically acclaimed movie 'Akeelah and the Bee.' She went on to appear in a major role in the 2009 biopic 'Notorious.'

On television, she made guest appearances in a number of shows before being cast as ‘Dr. Cate Banfield’ in the final season of the long-running medical drama 'ER' in 2008. She went on to appear in five seasons of 'American Horror Story,' earning a number of award nominations for her performance.

She appeared as one of the main cast members in the BBC Two mini-series ‘Close to the Enemy’ in 2016. Two years later, she played ‘Ramonda,’ the titular character’s mother, in the superhero film ‘Black Panther.’ She would reprise her role as ‘Ramonda’ in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019).

Continue Reading Below

She appeared alongside the likes of Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, and Alec Baldwin in the action spy film ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018). She also had a voice role in the film ‘Bumblebee’ (2018)

Currently, she is playing ‘Sergeant Athena Grant’ in the Fox police procedural drama ‘9-1-1.’ She also appeared in ‘Gunpowder Milkshake.’

Recommended Lists:

American Film & Theater Personalities

Major Works

Angela Bassett is best known for portraying strong black women in a number of biographical films and TV series. She received much praise for playing ‘Betty Shabazz’ in 'Malcolm X.' She impressed the audience with her portrayal of ‘Rosa Parks’ in the TV movie 'The Rosa Parks Story.'

'What's Love Got to Do with It' is her most critically acclaimed work so far. It earned her a number of prestigious awards and nominations. The film boasts of favorable critical reviews and grossed nearly $40 million in the US.

Awards & Achievements

For her portrayal of ‘Tina Turner’ in the biopic 'What's Love Got to Do with It,' Angela Bassett was nominated for the 'Academy Award' for 'Best Actress.' She has received a bunch of awards for this role, including the 'Golden Globe Award' for 'Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.'

She has received five 'Primetime Emmy Award' nominations so far, with two back-to-back nominations in 2014 and 2015 for her role in the television series 'American Horror Story.' She also received two 'Screen Actors Guild Award' nominations for 'Ruby's Bucket of Blood' and 'Betty and Coretta.'

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1997, Angela Bassett married actor Courtney B. Vance whom she met while studying at ‘Yale University.’ After going through seven years of failed fertility treatment, the couple was blessed with twins Bronwyn Golden and Slater Josiah via surrogate mother. The family currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

She promoted Barack Obama's reelection campaign in 2012. She also supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

Facts About Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is an accomplished actress who has portrayed a wide range of strong, complex female characters on screen.

In addition to her acting talents, Bassett is also a talented director, having helmed several projects in film and television.

Bassett is known for her dedication to fitness and health, often sharing her workout routines and healthy lifestyle tips with fans.

Despite her busy career in Hollywood, Bassett is also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes and organizations.

Angela Bassett has been recognized with multiple award nominations and wins for her outstanding performances in film and television.

Angela Bassett Biography

You wanted to know

What are some iconic roles played by Angela Bassett?

Has Angela Bassett ever won an Oscar?

What is Angela Bassett's approach to staying healthy and fit?

How did Angela Bassett prepare for her role in "American Horror Story?"

What other talents does Angela Bassett have besides acting?