Angela Bassett

"We all have a gift; we all have a passion - it's just about finding it and going into it. Being an asset to your family and community." Angela Bassett is an American actress known for her commanding presence and portrayals of strong, complex women. After earning a B.A. in African-American Studies and an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama, where she studied under Lloyd Richards, Bassett began her screen career with small roles in films like "F/X" (1986) and "Boyz n the Hood" (1991). She gained widespread acclaim as Tina Turner in "What’s Love Got to Do with It" (1993), earning an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win. Her filmography spans biographical dramas ("The Rosa Parks Story", "Malcolm X"), thrillers ("Strange Days"), horror ("Vampire in Brooklyn", "American Horror Story"), superhero franchises ("Black Panther", "Avengers: Endgame"), and historical dramas ("Waiting to Exhale", "How Stella Got Her Groove Back"). Bassett is noted for her meticulous preparation and physicality, often portraying real-life figures with intensity and depth. A recurring theme in her work is the resilience and dignity of Black women. Her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022) earned her a second Oscar nomination, making her the first actor in a Marvel film to do so.