• Angela Bassett is an African-American actress. She is widely recognized for her Academy Award-nominated performance of legendary singer Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It.

    Bassett played Katherine Jackson in the 1992 television movie The Jacksons: An American Dream and was Notorious B.I.G.'s mother in the 2009 biopic film Notorious.

    1. Born: August 16, 1958
    2. Birthplace: New York City, New York State
    3. Birth name: Angela Evelyn Bassett
    4. Height: 5'4"
    5. Husband: Courtney B. Vance
    6. Coauthored Friends: A Love Story with her Husband

  • Early Life

    Angela Evelyn Bassett was born in New York City, New York on August 16, 1958. She attended Boca Ciega High School and then Yale University where she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the school of Drama. She met her husband Courtney B. Vance at the school.

  • Career Highlights

    Bassett's career began with guest appearances on television shows, such as The Cosby Show and Thirtysomething, and in featured performances in films such as F/X and Boyz n the Hood. Her breakthrough role came in the Spike Lee film Malcolm X, where she portrayed Dr. Betty Shabazz. She followed that performance with her Academy Award-nominated role as Tina Turner in the biopic What's Love Got To Do with It.

    In 2008-09, Bassett plays Dr. Catherine Banfield on the television show ER.

  • Notable Roles

Categories

Entertainment  |  Actresses  |  Film Actresses