ANGELA BASSETT
Name: Angela Bassett
Born: 16 August 1958 Harlem, New York, U.S.
Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an Emmy and Academy Award-nominated,
and Golden Globe winning American actress who is particularly known for
biographical film roles portraying women in American culture.
Bassett was born in New York City on june 7 1965, then relocated to St.
Petersburg, Florida, as a child. She and her sister D'nette were raised by their
social worker mother, Betty. As a young child, her interest in entertaining
developed, as she and her sister would often put on shows, reading poems or
performing popular music for their family. At "Boca Ciega High School", Bassett
was a member of the debate team, student government, drama club, choir, and was
a cheerleader.
Bassett attended Yale University and received her B.A. in African-American
studies in 1980. In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale
School of Drama. At Yale, Bassett met her future husband Courtney B. Vance, a
1986 graduate of the drama school. After graduation, Bassett worked as a
receptionist for a beauty salon and as a photo researcher.
She soon looked for acting work in New York theater. One of her first New York
performances came in 1985 when she appeared in J.E. Franklin's Black Girl at
Second Stage Theatre. She appeared in two August Wilson plays at the Yale
Repertory Theatre under the direction of her long-time instructor Lloyd Richards.
The Wilson plays featuring Bassett were Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1984) and Joe
Turner's Come and Gone (1986).
She is currently a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the United States.
Name: Angela Bassett
Born: 16 August 1958 Harlem, New York, U.S.
Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an Emmy and Academy Award-nominated,
and Golden Globe winning American actress who is particularly known for
biographical film roles portraying women in American culture.
Bassett was born in New York City on june 7 1965, then relocated to St.
Petersburg, Florida, as a child. She and her sister D'nette were raised by their
social worker mother, Betty. As a young child, her interest in entertaining
developed, as she and her sister would often put on shows, reading poems or
performing popular music for their family. At "Boca Ciega High School", Bassett
was a member of the debate team, student government, drama club, choir, and was
a cheerleader.
Bassett attended Yale University and received her B.A. in African-American
studies in 1980. In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale
School of Drama. At Yale, Bassett met her future husband Courtney B. Vance, a
1986 graduate of the drama school. After graduation, Bassett worked as a
receptionist for a beauty salon and as a photo researcher.
She soon looked for acting work in New York theater. One of her first New York
performances came in 1985 when she appeared in J.E. Franklin's Black Girl at
Second Stage Theatre. She appeared in two August Wilson plays at the Yale
Repertory Theatre under the direction of her long-time instructor Lloyd Richards.
The Wilson plays featuring Bassett were Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1984) and Joe
Turner's Come and Gone (1986).
She is currently a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the United States.