Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett

Birthday: August 16
Birthplace: New York, NY

Alluring audiences with emotionally tinged performances has been the signature of Angela Bassett, who personifies a sense of dignity and pride whenever she appears on screen. Her talent and abilities as an actress and executive producer in both television and film have time and time again earned the respect and acclaim from her peers and fans, proving her to be one of the industry’s premier leading ladies.

Alluring audiences with emotionally tinged performances has been the signature of Angela Bassett, who personifies a sense of dignity and pride whenever she appears on screen. Her talent and abilities as an actress and executive producer in both television and film have time and time again earned the respect and acclaim from her peers and fans, proving her to be one of the industry’s premier leading ladies.

Perhaps best known for her intense portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It, opposite Laurence Fishburne, Bassett earned the Golden Globe® for Best Actress in a Drama, an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture, and an Academy Award® nomination for her powerful performance. She first made the successful crossover to the silver screen when she appeared in a small but rich role in John Singleton’s Boyz N The Hood. Bassett’s other memorable roles include, Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale, Strange Days, Vampire in Brooklyn, Supernova and Notorious, portraying the mother of slain rapper, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.”

Bassett has also received NAACP Image Awards for performances in films such as How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Score, Music of the Heart, Malcolm X and Contact. She was also recognized for her leading role in the television movie Ruby’s Bucket of Blood, bringing her total number of Image Awards to nine. Bassett also received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance in Ruby’s Bucket of Blood and an Emmy® nomination for Best Actress in a television movie for her work in The Rosa Parks Story.

For the ABC miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, Bassett received critical raves for her touching performance as Katherine Jackson, as well as receiving an Emmy nomination for the Uncle Jed’s Barbershop episode of PBS’ Storytime; and critical nods for narrating the miniseries, Africans in America, also for PBS. Other notable television roles have included the final season of NBC’s hit primetime series E.R. and a recurring role in ABC’s hit drama series Alias. She most recently appeared in two seasons of the anthology series American Horror Story. She starred in the third season, American Horror Story: Coven, as Marie Laveau, and the fourth, American Horror Story: Freak Show, as Desiree Dupree. In 2015, she made the jump to directing with the Whitney Houston biopic Whitney, which aired on Lifetime.

Nominations and awards aside, one of the most gratifying moments of her career was to merge faith and talent when she gave voice to various characters in the all-time best-selling The Bible Experience.

Beginning her career on stage and continuing to this day, this Yale School of Drama graduate completed several productions on and off Broadway, including Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Colored People’s Time, Henry IV, Part I, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Antigone, Pericles and Black Girl. Bassett returned to the stage in 1998 to star opposite Alec Baldwin in Macbeth at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York, in 2005 starred with her husband, Courtney B. Vance, in the North American Premier production of John Guare’s stage adaptation of His Girl Friday at the historic Guthrie Theater, and recently received rave reviews for her work with Fishburne in August Wilson’s classic play Fences at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse.

Bassett and Vance co-wrote the inspirational book, Friends: A Love Story, their real-life love story of the two who were friends for many years before marrying. They have also formed Bassett/Vance Productions and their first venture, Book of the Year, marks Bassett’s directorial debut. Based on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett and adapted by Dwayne Johnson-Cochran the dramatic comedy follows Monk Ellison, a prominent black literary figure. Ellison writes a faux biography from the perspective of a barely literate hoodlum to decry what is wrong with the glorification of “ghetto” culture but when the book is lauded as a possible contender for the National Book Award, he must choose between pride and fame.

The couple reside outside of Los Angeles with their twins, Bronwyn Golden & Slater Josiah.

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Awards & Nominations

9 Nominations | 1 Emmy
Outstanding Narrator - 2024
  • Winner
  • Angela Bassett, as Narrator
  • Queens
  • "African Queens"
  • National Geographic
  • Wildstar Films
Outstanding Narrator - 2023
  • Nominee
  • Angela Bassett, as Narrator
  • Good Night Oppy
  • Prime Video
  • Amblin Entertainment, Film 45, Tripod Media, Amazon Studios
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series - 2020
  • Nominee
  • Angela Bassett, as Mo
  • A Black Lady Sketch Show
  • "Angela Bassett Is The Baddest B***h"
  • HBO
  • HBO Entertainment in association with JAX Media, 3 Arts Entertainment, Issa Rae Productions and For Better or Words Inc.
Outstanding Narrator - 2020
Outstanding Narrator - 2019
  • Nominee
  • Angela Bassett, as Narrator
  • The Flood
  • "First Pulse"
  • National Geographic
  • Icon Films in association with Natural History Film Unit Botswana
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - 2017
  • Nominee
  • Angela Bassett, as Catherine
  • Master Of None
  • "Thanksgiving"
  • Netflix
  • Universal Television, Oh Brudder Productions, Alan Yang Productions, Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie - 2015
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie - 2014

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Angela Bassett poses with her Award backstage for Outstanding Narrator for Queens at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Angela Bassett accepts the Outstanding Narrator for Queens at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Angela Bassett
Sarah Paulson, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe and Angela Bassett arrive at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Angela Bassett arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Angela Bassett arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Peter Krause and Angela Bassett present an award at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Angela Bassett on the red carpet on the 71st Emmy Awards.
Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Courtney Manuel and Angela Bassett at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Nina West, Angela Bassett, and Brooke Lynn Hytes attend the Governors Ball at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Wanda Sykes, Angela Bassett and Alex Sykes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Tiffany Haddish, Angela Bassett
Rachel Brosnahan, Tiffany Haddish, Angela Bassett
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Angela Bassett at the 2017 Creative Arts Ball.
Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Michael Kelly, Keegan Michael-Key, Angela Bassett, and Leslie Jones at the 68th Emmys Governors Ball.
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance at the 68th Emmys Governors Ball.
Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett in the audience at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance arrive at the Performers Peer Group nominee reception in West Hollywood.
Octavia Spencer (l) and Angela Bassett (r) of American Horror Story attend the 66th Emmys Governors Ball.
Angela Bassett (l) and Jessica Lange (r) of American Horror Story: Coven backstage at the 66th Emmys.
Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven and Joe Morton (r) of Scandal attend the Performers nominee reception.
The nominees attend the Performers nominee reception.
Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven, Danielle Brooks (c) and Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black attend the Performers nominee reception.
Fill 1
Fill 1
Angela Bassett poses with her Award backstage for Outstanding Narrator for Queens at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Angela Bassett poses with her award backstage for Outstanding Narrator for Queens at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett accepts the Outstanding Narrator for Queens at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Angela Bassett accepts the Outstanding Narrator for Queens at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards 

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett
Camera

Angela Bassett of 9-1-1 on the red carpet

Invision/AP
Sarah Paulson, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe and Angela Bassett arrive at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Sarah Paulson, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe, and Angela Bassett arrive at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Angela Bassett arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards, September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Angela Bassett arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Peter Krause and Angela Bassett present an award at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Peter Krause and Angela Bassett present an award at the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett on the red carpet on the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Angela Bassett on the red carpet on the 71st Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Courtney Manuel and Angela Bassett at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Courtney Manuel and Angela Bassett at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Nina West, Angela Bassett, and Brooke Lynn Hytes attend the Governors Ball at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Nina West, Angela Bassett, and Brooke Lynn Hytes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball. 

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes, Angela Bassett and Alex Sykes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Wanda Sykes, Angela Bassett and Alex Sykes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Tiffany Haddish, Angela Bassett
Camera

Tiffany Haddish and Angela Bassett present an award at the 70th Emmy Awards. 

Invision/ AP
Rachel Brosnahan, Tiffany Haddish, Angela Bassett
Camera

Rachel Brosnahan accepts award at the 70th Emmy Awards. 

Invision/ AP
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Camera

Michael K Williams, Angela Bassett, Kelsey Scott, and Courtney B. Vance are seen at the 2017 Performers Nominee Reception, presented by the Television Academy at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Camera

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance are seen at the 2017 Performers Nominee Reception, presented by the Television Academy at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Camera

Kim Estes and Angela Bassett are seen at the 2017 Performers Nominee Reception, presented by the Television Academy at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett at the 2017 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Angela Bassett at the 2017 Creative Arts Ball. 

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Michael Kelly, Keegan Michael-Key, Angela Bassett, and Leslie Jones at the 68th Emmys Governors Ball.
Camera

Michael Kelly, Keegan Michael-Key, Angela Bassett, and Leslie Jones at the 68th Emmys Governors Ball.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance at the 68th Emmys Governors Ball.
Camera

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance at the 68th Emmys Governors Ball.

Invision/AP
Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett in the audience at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett in the audience at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance arrive at the Performers Peer Group nominee reception in West Hollywood.
Camera

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance arrive at the Performers Peer Group nominee reception in West Hollywood.

Invision/AP
Octavia Spencer (l) and Angela Bassett (r) of American Horror Story attend the 66th Emmys Governors Ball.
Camera

Octavia Spencer and Angela Bassett at the 66th Emmys Governors Ball.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett (l) and Jessica Lange (r) of American Horror Story: Coven backstage at the 66th Emmys.
Camera

Angela Bassett (l) and Jessica Lange (r) of American Horror Story: Coven backstage at the 66th Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven and Joe Morton (r) of Scandal attend the Performers nominee reception.
Camera

Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven and Joe Morton (r) of Scandal attend the Performers nominee reception.

Invision/AP
The nominees attend the Performers nominee reception.
Camera

The nominees attend the Performers nominee reception.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven, Danielle Brooks (c) and Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black attend the Performers nominee reception.
Camera

Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven, Danielle Brooks (c) and Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black attend the Performers nominee reception.

Invision/AP
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