Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is a renowned actress and producer, known for her impactful roles as iconic figures in film and television. Her early career was marked by performances in plays by August Wilson, laying the foundation for her transition to film and television. In 1993, she achieved a breakthrough with her role as Tina Turner in the biographical film "What's Love Got to Do with It," earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Bassett continued to captivate audiences with roles in a series of films such as "Malcolm X," "Waiting to Exhale," "Vampire in Brooklyn," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," and "Music of the Heart." Additionally, Bassett appeared in "Notorious," "Green Lantern," "Olympus Has Fallen," and "London Has Fallen." In 2025, she was featured in "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning." Her role in Marvel's "Black Panther" and its sequel "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," in which she played Queen Ramonda, earned her another Golden Globe award, an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and recognition by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.

Bassett has also made significant contributions to television. Her role as Rosa Parks in "The Rosa Parks Story" and as LAPD Sergeant Athena Grant in the drama series "9-1-1" since 2018 has been recognized with Emmy nominations. Her performances in the anthology series "American Horror Story" also garnered Emmy nominations. In 2023, she was given the Academy Honorary Award, also known as an honorary Oscar, at The Governors Awards presentation, acknowledging her lifetime achievement in the film industry.

Bassett's career has been decorated with numerous honors, including two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and 16 NAACP Image Awards. Bassett, also a member of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, is recognized for her advocacy work and commitment to portraying strong, multifaceted characters. Bassett is a graduate of Yale University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies in 1980 and a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1983.