On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Angela Bassett won a Golden Globe for her performance in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” as Queen Ramonda. The win made her the first actor to win a major individual award for a Marvel movie.
This is the second Golden Globe win for Bassett, whose first win was for best actress in a musical or comedy for the 1993 classic movie, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” on the life of Tina Turner.
Bassett’s acting career started in the late 1980s. Her performances in Black films have been iconic over the years, which include playing Betty Shabazz in Malcolm X (1992), Bernadine Harris in Waiting to Exhale (1995) and How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998).
While working in the entertainment industry for decades, Bassett has entertained and inspired people with her work, including many younger entertainers, such as Keke Palmer. Read on to learn more interesting facts about Angela Bassett.
From the South
While born in New York City on August 16, 1958, Angela Bassett grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. At age 4, she moved to St. Petersburg, Florida after her parents divorced. Bassett grew up in the southern state until she attended Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. At Yale, she received her bachelor’s degree in African American studies in 1980 and a master’s degree in fine arts in 1983.
It’s About Family
Angela Bassett met her husband Courtney B. Vance while attending Yale University. Vance graduated from the same drama school in 1986. Bassett and Vance were married in 1997 and share two children via surrogate, son Slater Josiah Vance and daughter Bronwyn Golden Vance.
Walk of Fame
In 2008, Angela Bassett received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of motion pictures. If you want to visit her star when you’re in Los Angeles, use the address: 7000 Hollywood Boulevard.
Delta Sorority
Bassett is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She became an honorary member in 2013 – the same year the sorority celebrated its 100th anniversary. Other famous members of Delta Sigma Theta include Cicely Tyson, Aretha Franklin and Lena Horne.
With Fishburne
During her career, Angela Bassett has played the spouse of Laurence Fishburne twice in films. The first was as Jason and Reva in Boyz in the Hood (1991). And of course, the iconic Ike and Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993). The actors also starred in Akeelah and the Bee (2006), but not as a couple in their roles.
What is your favorite film featuring Angela Bassett? Which role did you enjoy her in the most? Share your favorites in the comments.