Angela Evelyn Bassett is an acclaimed American actress renowned for her extensive work in film and television since the 1980s. She has earned numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards and eight Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2023, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and she was also selected to receive an Academy Honorary Award that year.
August 16, 1958: Angela Bassett's Birth
Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958. This event marks the beginning of her life.
1970: Integration and Education
In 1970, Angela Bassett began attending Disston Middle School as part of a busing program to integrate public schools. After her seventh grade, she attended Azalea Middle School. During this time, her mother emphasized the importance of higher education.
1980: Graduating from Yale
Angela Bassett graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies in 1980.
1983: Mastering Acting at Yale
Angela Bassett completed her Master of Fine Arts degree at the Yale School of Drama in 1983, despite facing discouragement from family members who didn't see acting as a valuable pursuit.
1984: Early Work with August Wilson
Angela Bassett appeared in August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1984.
1985: New York Theater Debut
Angela Bassett made her New York theater debut in J.E. Franklin's "Black Girl" at Second Stage Theatre in 1985.
1985: Television Debut
Angela Bassett made her first television appearance in 1985 in the made-for-TV movie "Doubletake".
1986: Film Debut and Joining SAG
Angela Bassett made her film debut in "F/X" (1986), which led to her joining the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
1986: Furthering August Wilson Collaboration
Continuing her work with August Wilson's plays, Angela Bassett appeared in "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1986.
1986: Meeting Courtney B. Vance at Yale
While at Yale, Angela Bassett met her future husband, Courtney B. Vance, who graduated from the Yale School of Drama in 1986. They were also classmates with actor Charles S. Dutton.
1988: Moving to Los Angeles
In 1988, Angela Bassett moved to Los Angeles to pursue more acting opportunities.
1989: Early Television Roles
Angela Bassett landed guest spots on the television shows "A Man Called Hawk" and "227" in 1989.
1991: Rising Star in "Boyz n the Hood"
Angela Bassett gained recognition for her role in the critically acclaimed film "Boyz n the Hood" (1991), which highlighted social issues.
1991: Gaining Industry Attention
Angela Bassett's performances in "Boyz n the Hood" (1991) garnered significant attention within the film industry.
1992: Portraying Katherine Jackson
Angela Bassett starred as Katherine Jackson in the miniseries "The Jacksons: An American Dream" which aired in 1992.
1992: Powerful Performance in "Malcolm X"
Angela Bassett's performance as Betty Shabazz in "Malcolm X" (1992) earned her an NAACP Image Award. Her portrayal captured the pain and resilience of Shabazz after Malcolm X's assassination.
1992: Challenges and Recognition for "Malcolm X"
Angela Bassett's performance in "Malcolm X" (1992) was both challenging and rewarding. She grappled with portraying the emotional weight of Betty Shabazz's experiences, particularly during the assassination scene. Her performance was met with critical acclaim, including an NAACP Image Award.
1993: Preparing for and Portraying Tina Turner
Angela Bassett had limited time to prepare for her role as Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do with It" (1993). She met with Turner, who offered guidance on her portrayal, including details about her life, style, and dancing. Bassett's performance was met with wide acclaim, earning her numerous awards and accolades.
1993: Breakthrough with "What's Love Got to Do with It"
Angela Bassett's portrayal of Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do with It" (1993) was a defining moment in her career. Her performance received critical acclaim, earning her a Golden Globe Award and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
1995: Exploring Diverse Roles
Angela Bassett starred in two distinct films in 1995: "Waiting to Exhale," which resonated with female audiences, and "Vampire in Brooklyn," showcasing her versatility.
1995: A Year of Diverse Roles
In 1995, Angela Bassett showcased her versatility by starring in three distinct films: "Vampire in Brooklyn," "Strange Days," and "Waiting to Exhale." She reunited with director Wes Craven for "Vampire in Brooklyn" and collaborated with author Terry McMillan for the film adaptation of "Waiting to Exhale." Her roles in these films allowed her to explore a range of characters, from a tortured cop to a betrayed wife seeking revenge.
1997: Marriage to Courtney B. Vance
Angela Bassett married Courtney B. Vance in 1997, whom she met at Yale School of Drama and reconnected with in Los Angeles.
1997: From Presidential Advisor to Alien Encounters
Angela Bassett took on the role of a Presidential advisor in the science fiction film "Contact" in 1997.
1998: Romantic Comedy Success
Angela Bassett starred in the romantic comedy "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" in 1998.
1998: Finding "Groove" and Critical Acclaim
Bassett reunited with author Terry McMillan for the 1998 romantic comedy "How Stella Got Her Groove Back." Her performance as Stella, a 40-year-old professional who finds love with a younger man, garnered critical acclaim, with praise for her portrayal of a strong and relatable woman.
1999: Musical Collaboration and Chemistry
In 1999, Bassett starred in "Music of the Heart," marking her third collaboration with director Wes Craven. The film provided her with the opportunity to showcase her acting skills alongside Meryl Streep, with critics noting the palpable chemistry between the two actresses.
2000: A Declination and a Lost Opportunity
Angela Bassett made the difficult decision to decline the lead role in the film "Monster's Ball" in 2000 due to concerns about the script's sexual content. The role would later go to Halle Berry, who won an Academy Award for her performance.
2000: From Sci-Fi to South African Drama
Angela Bassett's filmography in 2000 reflected her range as an actress, with roles in the science fiction film "Supernova," the family-friendly "Whispers: An Elephant's Tale," and the South African drama "Boesman and Lena." Her performance in "Boesman and Lena," adapted from the play by Athol Fugard, earned her critical recognition for her raw and powerful portrayal of Lena.
2001: Sharing the Screen with De Niro
In 2001, Angela Bassett appeared in the heist film "The Score," starring alongside Robert De Niro. The film marked a departure from her previous roles, allowing her to explore a different genre and share the screen with a Hollywood legend.
2001: On-Screen Image and Representation
In 2001, Angela Bassett spoke about her on-screen image, emphasizing her preference for portraying strong, intelligent, self-assured African-American women and her commitment to selecting roles that defy negative stereotypes.
2002: Embodying an Icon: Rosa Parks
Angela Bassett took on the challenging role of Rosa Parks in the television film "The Rosa Parks Story" in 2002. Her portrayal of the civil rights icon earned her critical acclaim, with praise for her nuanced and powerful performance, capturing the strength and dignity of Parks.
2002: Emmy Nomination for "The Rosa Parks Story"
Angela Bassett's performance as Rosa Parks in "The Rosa Parks Story" (2002) earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.
2003: Giving Voice to History
In 2003, Angela Bassett lent her voice to the documentary "Unchained Memories," which brought to life the narratives of former slaves recorded during the Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s. Her participation in the project highlighted her commitment to preserving and sharing important historical stories.
2004: From Drama to Comedy
Angela Bassett's film choices in 2004 demonstrated her versatility, with roles in the drama "The Lazarus Child" and the comedy "Mr. 3000," where she starred opposite Bernie Mac. The latter allowed her to explore a lighter genre and showcase her comedic timing.
2005: His Girl Friday Performance
Angela Bassett and her husband, Courtney B. Vance, starred in a production of "His Girl Friday" at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2005.
2006: Championing Dreams and Aspiration
Bassett starred as Tanya Anderson, the supportive mother of a young spelling bee contestant, in the heartwarming film "Akeelah and the Bee" in 2006. She connected with the story's message of nurturing dreams and praised her young co-star Keke Palmer's talent.
2006: Returning to Wilson's Works
In 2006, Angela Bassett starred in August Wilson's "Fences" alongside Laurence Fishburne at the Pasadena Playhouse in California, revisiting the playwright's work after two decades.
2007: Donation to Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
Angela Bassett donated to Barack Obama's presidential primary campaign in early 2007.
2007: Embracing Animation and Family
In 2007, Angela Bassett ventured into the world of animation, lending her voice to the animated film "Meet the Robinsons." She was drawn to the project's positive message about family and the opportunity to portray a different type of character.
2008: A Multifaceted Year in Film and Television
Angela Bassett had a busy 2008, appearing in films like "Gospel Hill," "Of Boys and Men," and "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns." She also joined the cast of the long-running medical drama "ER" for its final season, playing Dr. Catherine Banfield, a role that allowed her to showcase her dramatic range.
2009: Continuing the "ER" Journey
Angela Bassett continued her role as Dr. Catherine Banfield on the final season of "ER" in 2009. Her character's storyline involved navigating the challenges of her demanding job while coping with personal loss and family dynamics.
2009: Supporting Role in "Notorious"
Angela Bassett took on a supporting role in the biographical drama "Notorious" (2009).
2009: Bassett Stars as Voletta Wallace in "Notorious"
In 2009, Angela Bassett took on the role of Voletta Wallace, The Notorious B.I.G.'s mother, in the biopic "Notorious." Her dedication to the role was evident in her efforts to perfect Wallace's Jamaican accent, even practicing with tapes Wallace made. Bassett's performance was praised, especially considering her experience compared to some other cast members.
2009: "The Mountaintop" Debuts in London
In 2009, the play "The Mountaintop," a fictionalized account of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last night, premiered in London's West End. The play went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play.
2010: Bassett Voices Michelle Obama on "The Simpsons"
Angela Bassett lent her voice to an episode of "The Simpsons" in 2010, portraying First Lady Michelle Obama in the episode titled "Stealing First Base." Her performance was well-received, with many praising her as a suitable stand-in for the First Lady.
March 2011: Bassett Joins ABC Pilot "Identity"
In March 2011, Angela Bassett signed on for a lead role in "Identity," a pilot for a potential ABC television series.
October 13, 2011: Bassett Stars in "The Mountaintop" on Broadway
On October 13, 2011, "The Mountaintop" opened on Broadway, starring Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson. The play, a fictionalized depiction of the night before Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, had already garnered critical acclaim following its successful debut in London's West End.
2011: Bassett Stars in Ensemble Comedy "Jumping the Broom"
In 2011, Angela Bassett starred in the ensemble comedy "Jumping the Broom," where she played the matriarch of a wealthy family. Despite mixed reviews, Bassett's performance garnered some positive attention, with critics noting her powerful presence on screen.
2011: Stepping into Action
Angela Bassett entered the action genre with her role in "Green Lantern" (2011).
June 2012: Support for Barack Obama's Reelection
In June 2012, Angela Bassett showed her support for Barack Obama's reelection campaign by making an appearance at his campaign office in St. Petersburg.
June 2012: Bassett Cast in "Olympus Has Fallen"
In June 2012, it was announced that Bassett would be joining the cast of "Olympus Has Fallen." This action thriller, directed by Antoine Fuqua, featured Bassett as Secret Service Director Lynne Jacobs.
2012: Bassett Appears in "This Means War"
Angela Bassett had a role in the 2012 film "This Means War," although her appearance in the film was limited.
January 21, 2013: Attendance at Barack Obama's Second Inauguration
Angela Bassett attended Barack Obama's second inauguration on January 21, 2013.
February 2, 2013: "Betty and Coretta" Premieres, Starring Bassett and Mary J. Blige
On February 2, 2013, the television film "Betty and Coretta" premiered, featuring Angela Bassett as Coretta Scott King and Mary J. Blige as Betty Shabazz. The film depicted the lives of these two women following the assassinations of their husbands, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
March 22, 2013: "Olympus Has Fallen" Released, Featuring Bassett as Secret Service Director
"Olympus Has Fallen," an action thriller starring Angela Bassett, was released on March 22, 2013. Bassett's role as Secret Service director Lynne Jacobs was a notable casting choice, marking the first time an African-American woman held that position in a film.
July 13, 2013: Induction into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
On July 13, 2013, Angela Bassett was inducted as an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
2013: Mythological Presence
Angela Bassett appeared in the action fantasy film "Olympus Has Fallen" (2013).
2013: Bassett Joins "American Horror Story: Coven"
Angela Bassett joined the cast of FX's anthology series "American Horror Story" for its third season, "Coven," in 2013. Her portrayal of Marie Laveau, a voodoo witch, earned her critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination.
May 2014: Bassett to Direct "Whitney"
In May 2014, Angela Bassett was announced as the director for "Whitney," a television film about the life of singer Whitney Houston. This marked Bassett's directorial debut.
June 11, 2014: Ruby Dee Passes Away
Actress Ruby Dee passed away on June 11, 2014. Bassett, who had worked with Dee on "Betty and Coretta" (2013), would later attend a memorial held for Dee in September of that year.
June 2014: Yaya DaCosta Cast as Whitney Houston in Bassett's Directorial Debut
In early June 2014, it was announced that Yaya DaCosta would be portraying Whitney Houston in the television film "Whitney." The film, marking Angela Bassett's directorial debut, was met with controversy when Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, publicly criticized the casting choice on social media.
September 20, 2014: Memorial Held for Ruby Dee
A memorial for actress Ruby Dee was held at Riverside Church on September 20, 2014. Bassett, who had worked with Dee on the television film "Betty and Coretta," was in attendance to pay her respects.
2014: Exploring Horror in "American Horror Story"
Angela Bassett received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her work on "American Horror Story" in 2014.
2015: Continued Success with "American Horror Story"
Angela Bassett's work on "American Horror Story" earned her another Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie in 2015.
2015: Bassett Stars in Action Thriller "Survivor"
In 2015, Angela Bassett appeared in the action thriller "Survivor," playing the role of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Maureen Crane. Despite a star-studded cast, the film received generally negative reviews.
March 2016: London Has Fallen Release
Angela Bassett reprised her role as Lynne Jacobs in "London Has Fallen," released in March 2016, marking her first time participating in a sequel.
June 2016: Human Rights Campaign Video Appearance
In June 2016, Angela Bassett participated in a Human Rights Campaign video tribute to the Orlando nightclub shooting victims, sharing their stories.
October 19, 2016: American Horror Story: Roanoke Episode Direction
On October 19, 2016, Angela Bassett directed the sixth episode of American Horror Story: Roanoke, marking the third time a woman directed an episode for the show.
2016: Navigating Disaster in "London Has Fallen"
Angela Bassett continued her foray into action with a role in "London Has Fallen" (2016).
2016: Support for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
Angela Bassett endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, speaking at the Democratic National Convention and introducing survivors of the Charleston church shooting.
March 2017: "Ache" Episode Appearance
Angela Bassett appeared in "Ache," an episode of the television series "Underground," in March 2017, with the role specifically written for her.
May 2017: Master of None Appearance
In May 2017, Angela Bassett appeared in an episode of "Master of None" as Catherine, Denise's mother, a casting choice by Lena Waithe that significantly impacted the series.
January 2018: 9-1-1 Debut
Angela Bassett joined the Fox first responder drama "9-1-1" in January 2018 as officer Athena Grant, also serving as executive producer.
February 2018: Black Panther Premiere
Angela Bassett starred as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel film "Black Panther," released in February 2018.
July 2018: Mission: Impossible – Fallout Release
In July 2018, Angela Bassett appeared as CIA Director Erika Sloane in "Mission: Impossible – Fallout."
December 2018: Bumblebee Voice Role
Angela Bassett voiced the Decepticon villain 'Shatter' in the Transformers film "Bumblebee," released in December 2018.
2018: Honorary Doctorate from Yale University
Angela Bassett received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Yale University in 2018.
2018: Joining the MCU as Queen Ramonda
Angela Bassett took on the role of Queen Ramonda in Marvel's "Black Panther" (2018), marking her entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2018: Leading and Producing "9-1-1"
In 2018, Angela Bassett took on a leading role in the Fox drama series "9-1-1" and also became a producer for the show.
2019: Gunpowder Milkshake Casting
Angela Bassett joined the cast of "Gunpowder Milkshake" in 2019.
2019: Returning in "Avengers: Endgame"
Angela Bassett reprised her role as Queen Ramonda in the highly anticipated "Avengers: Endgame" (2019).
November 3, 2020: Post-Election Tweet
On November 3, 2020, after Hillary Clinton's defeat in the general election, Angela Bassett tweeted about looking forward to the next election.
December 25, 2020: Soul Release
Angela Bassett provided the voice of Dorothea Williams in the Pixar film "Soul," released on Disney+ on December 25, 2020.
October 1, 2021: Disney Enchantment Narration
On October 1, 2021, Angela Bassett debuted as the narrator for the Magic Kingdom nighttime show "Disney Enchantment."
November 2022: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Premiere
Angela Bassett reprised her role as Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," released in November 2022.
December 2022: Women in Entertainment Power 100 Recognition
Angela Bassett was featured in The Hollywood Reporter's "Women in Entertainment Power 100" in December 2022.
2022: Award-Winning Performance in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Angela Bassett's performance in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022) earned her a second Golden Globe Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2022: Honorary Doctorate from Old Dominion University
In 2022, Angela Bassett received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Old Dominion University.
2022: Reflecting on Career Post-"What's Love Got to Do with It"
In 2022, Angela Bassett revealed in an interview that despite the critical acclaim she received for her role in "What's Love Got to Do with It" (1993), she experienced a period of about a year and a half where she received very few acting offers afterward.
2022: Oscar Nomination for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In 2022, Angela Bassett's performance in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, marking the first time an actor in a Marvel film was nominated in an acting category.
2022: 9-1-1: Lone Star Appearance
In 2022, during the fifth season of "9-1-1," Angela Bassett appeared as her character Athena Grant in an episode of the spin-off series, "9-1-1: Lone Star."
2023: Time Women of the Year Honoree
Angela Bassett was named one of Time's Women of the Year in 2023.
2023: Time 100 and Honorary Award
In 2023, Angela Bassett was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine. She was also chosen to receive an Honorary Award by the Academy in the same year.
January 9, 2024: Academy Honorary Award
Angela Bassett was given an Academy Honorary Award at The Governors Awards presentation on January 9, 2024, for her lifetime achievements in film.
March 2024: Damsel Release
Angela Bassett appeared in the Netflix film "Damsel" alongside Millie Bobby Brown, released in March 2024.