[86][87] Bassett had previously played Shabazz in both Malcolm X and Panther, but instead played Coretta Scott King opposite to Mary J. Blige, who played Shabazz. While being asked about what drew her to play real-life women, Bassett answered "The respect that I have for their lives—their stories, vulnerabilities, strength, and resolve. [79] Bassett and Devine were noted as "superb, distinguished actresses" by Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter, but were seen as having been "asked to overdo every moment with permanent scowls and body language more suitable to Mortal Kombat. The couple got married on 12 October 1997 after being in a romantic relationship for a year. [12] At Yale, Bassett met her future husband Courtney B. Vance, a 1986 graduate of the drama school. [73] Bassett's and Loretta Devine's performances in the film were called "in some ways too fierce for the room, offering nuances of hostility and hurt that the movie cannot really handle" and contributing to the "unevenness of the performances" in the film.

But with that blunt admission, there were no hard feelings on Vance's end. In 2006, she had the opportunity to work on the Wilson canon again, starring in Fences alongside longtime collaborator Laurence Fishburne at the Pasadena Playhouse in California. Basically, the four of us are sitting there talking about men and having some fun. [106][107] Bassett appeared in American Horror Story: Roanoke. She is a dynamic supporter of the philanthropy Royal Theater’s Boys and Girls Club and she was named a UNICEF representative in 2003. Bassett was also classmates with actor Charles S. [4] The Bassett surname comes from her great-grandfather William Henry Bassett, who took the surname of his former slave owner. Bassett recently appeared as Secret Service director Lynne Jacobs in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen, released on March 22, 2013. In 1985, Bassett made her first television appearance as a prostitute in the made-for-TV movie Doubletake.

[93] Bassett described working with Morgan Freeman as wonderful, but she admitted to being intimidated by him. The man may be the head, but the head doesn’t go anywhere without the neck telling it which way to turn it," Vance said. She was the first African-American to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. [20] Bassett had previously idolized the group growing up and said the Jackson family were positive influences on the African-American community for their successes. This was a walk in the park. For more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter. [110] "[32], In 1999, Bassett starred in Music of the Heart, once again collaborating with horror icon Wes Craven. "[40] She has turned down roles which she viewed as demeaning to her image. She has a younger sister D’nette with whom she grew up with.

A straight "A" and "B" student for the most part, Bassett got her first "C" in physical education, and tried to get her mother to not feel disappointment in the grade. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Simpson) dominate the red carpet. Angela Bassett est une actrice, productrice et réalisatrice américaine, née le 16 août 1958 à New York. He lets me be me and do me. In the 1990s, she appeared in films nearly every year. She is a Golden Globe-winning performer who rose to conspicuousness playing outstanding African-American social figures like Katherine Jackson in the television mini-series “The Jacksons: An American Dream”, as Tina Turner in the 1993 biography drama “What’s Love Got to Do with It“. [6] Ten months after Bassett was born, her mother became pregnant and had a second child, Bassett's sister D'nette. Mr. 3000 was a comedy in which Bassett costarred with Bernie Mac. She participated in Upward Bound, an academic and cultural enrichment program for underprivileged students. and Bassett earning a B.A. It's celluloid; they last for ever. She admitted to not caring about the negative view of members of the Jackson family at the time, citing her childhood fondness of the group as an example of her passion for the project and believed her "instinct" about the role had been correct once learning of the positive reviews the miniseries received after airing. Her character was in a relationship with Robert De Niro's. In 2013, Bassett appeared on FX TV show American Horror Story: Coven[75] as Marie Laveau, a voodoo witch. [120], Bassett is a supporter of programs for the arts, especially for youth. [124] In June 2012, she made an appearance at the St. Petersburg office of his campaign and said the election was not one "where we can sit on the sidelines". Rest up my country. The transcripts of the Slave Narratives collection of the Library of Congress is a record of slavery, bondage and misery.