Angela Bassett Biography: Angela Evelyn Bassett born August 16, 1958 is a renowned American actress whose career in film and television spans back to the 1980s. Over the years, she has earned multiple honors, including a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Award nominations.
Angela Bassett Biography
Angela Bassett is a captivating and immensely talented actress whose powerful presence has graced theaters, stages, and television screens around the world. Born Angela Evelyn Bassett on August 16, 1958, in New York City, she is the daughter of Betty Jane (née Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, the son of a preacher. Raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, alongside her sister D’nette, Bassett was brought up by their mother, who, as a single parent, instilled in her daughters the value of education. Thanks to an academic scholarship, Bassett attended Yale University, where she earned a B.A. in African-American Studies in 1980. She went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1983. While at Yale, she met her future husband, actor Courtney B. Vance, who graduated from the drama program in 1986.
Angela Bassett Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Angela Evelyn Bassett
August 16, 1958 New York City, U.S.
|
|---|---|
| Education | Yale University (BA, MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse |
Courtney B. Vance
(m. 1997) |
| Category | Singers Bio |
Angela Bassett Achievements
In 2023, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world and was honored with an Academy Honorary Award. Bassett gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of singer Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also had key roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood (1991), Malcolm X (1992), Waiting to Exhale (1995), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995).
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About Angela Bassett
Angela Evelyn Bassett is an American actress. Known for her work in film and television since the 1980s, she has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards.
Angela Bassett Wiki
- Born: 16 August 1958 (age 66 years), New York, New York, United States
- Spouse: Courtney B. Vance (m. 1997)
- Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role ·
- Awards: Academy Honorary Award ·
- Children: Bronwyn Golden Vance, Slater Josiah Vance
- Education: David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University (1983) ·
Early Life and Education
Bassett was born in New York City to Betty Jane a civil servant and social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett. Her middle name, Evelyn, honors her aunt. When Bassett was just ten months old, her mother became pregnant with her sister D’nette. Due to the challenges the pregnancy brought, Bassett was sent to live with her aunt Golden in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who had no children of her own but was loving and nurturing.
At the age of four, following her parents’ divorce, Bassett was reunited with her mother, who moved with her and her sister to St. Petersburg, Florida. She did not reconnect with her father until attending her grandmother’s funeral, where she also met her half-sister Jean. Bassett attended Jordan Park Elementary School, and in 1970, she began seventh grade at Disston Middle School under the newly implemented school busing integration program in St. Petersburg.
How Did Angela Bassett Become Famous?
Angela Bassett’s path to stardom wasn’t instant—she steadily built her career with determination and talent. She made her television debut in 1985, playing a prostitute in the TV movie Doubletake. The following year, she appeared in her first film role as a news reporter in F/X. In 1988, Bassett relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of more acting opportunities. She landed guest roles on shows like 227 and A Man Called Hawk, but it was her performances on the big screen that began turning heads.
She gained recognition for her roles in Boyz n the Hood (1991) and Malcolm X (1992), but it was her portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It that brought her critical and international acclaim. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win—making her the first Black woman to win Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
How Wealthy Is Angela Bassett?
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s joint net worth of $25 million places them well above average in terms of wealth. Bassett’s income primarily comes from acting, but she’s also worked as a producer and director, appearing in both television and film.
How Much Does Angela Bassett Make Per Movie?
Exact figures for Angela Bassett’s movie salaries are not always publicly known. However, in the early 2000s, she reportedly earned up to $3.5 million per film. Today, it’s estimated she earns between $5 million and $10 million for leading roles, and several million for supporting parts.
What Was Angela Bassett Paid for Black Panther?
While her exact salary for 2018’s Black Panther hasn’t been disclosed, estimates place it between $1 million and $2 million. Lead actor Chadwick Boseman reportedly earned $5 million, suggesting Bassett, given her experience and reputation, was compensated on the higher end for a supporting role.
How Much Did Angela Bassett Make for Avengers: Endgame?
Angela Bassett’s compensation for reprising Queen Ramonda in Avengers: Endgame hasn’t been revealed. However, given her established role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, industry estimates suggest she likely earned in the high hundreds of thousands to low millions.
What Did Angela Bassett Earn for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
Though specific numbers haven’t been made public, it’s likely Bassett earned a higher salary for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever than the original film. With the movie grossing over $850 million worldwide, and her performance receiving an Oscar nomination, her paycheck likely reflected her pivotal role—estimated in the multi-million dollar range.
How Much Does Angela Bassett Make for 9-1-1?
Angela Bassett reportedly earns more than $450,000 per episode for her role as Athena Grant on 9-1-1. For a 14-episode season, that adds up to over $6.3 million, making her one of the highest-paid actors in network television—and possibly the highest-paid woman of color in a broadcast drama.
What Is Angela Bassett’s Per Episode Pay for 9-1-1?
As of 2021, Angela Bassett’s salary for 9-1-1 exceeded $450,000 per episode. With the show continuing into later seasons, it’s reasonable to assume her earnings have increased. For a full season, her earnings total millions, excluding bonuses or backend royalties.
What Did Angela Bassett Make on American Horror Story?
Angela Bassett has appeared in five seasons of American Horror Story. While her exact pay wasn’t disclose, lead actors in the series reportedly earn between $75,000 and $150,000 per episode. Given her stature, Bassett likely earned toward the higher end of that range.
What Was Angela Bassett Paid for Zero Day?
Bassett’s salary for playing President Evelyn Mitchell in Netflix’s 2025 political thriller Zero Day hasn’t been reveal. However, given her industry status and the scale of the production, it’s safe to assume she earned more than the real-life U.S. President’s $400,000 annual salary.
What Is Angela Bassett’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Angela Bassett’s estimated net worth is $25 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This figure reflects the combined wealth of Bassett and her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance.
FAQs
What did Angela Bassett study at Yale University?
Angela Bassett earned a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies from Yale University in 1980, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1983.
How did Angela Bassett meet her husband Courtney B. Vance?
Angela Bassett met her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance, while they were both studying at the Yale School of Drama. Vance graduated in 1986, a few years after Bassett.
What was Angela Bassett’s breakthrough role?
Angela Bassett’s breakthrough came in 1993 when she portrayed Tina Turner in the biographical film What’s Love Got to Do with It. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.
Where did Angela Bassett grow up?
Although born in New York City, Angela Bassett was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, by her mother Betty Jane, after her parents separated.
What early TV roles did Angela Bassett have?
Before her rise to fame, Angela Bassett appeared in small roles on television shows such as The Cosby Show (1984) and Spenser: For Hire (1985).
Was Angela Bassett the first choice to play Tina Turner?
Angela Bassett wasn’t widely known before taking on the role of Tina Turner and had never even seen Turner perform live, yet her portrayal was widely praise and became her breakout performance.