Hollywood Shuffle is a series that celebrates our cultural icons in film and television whose performances have resonated with generations of viewers. From the pioneering actors and actresses who’ve helped break barriers and pave the way for those to follow, to the most promising and decorated thespians of today, their dedication to their craft is respected and appreciated.
In an industry brimming with creatives aspiring to reach the apex of their craft, Angela Bassett has compiled a career worthy of striving for. Touting a resume that stretches back nearly four decades, the beloved performer has risen to heights reserved for a legend, a tag she’s proved worthy of time and time again.
Born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, Bassett was raised in St. Petersburg, Fla. Upon graduating high school, the future starlet attended Yale University where she cultivated her love for the stage. Earning a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, Bassett began her acting profession during the mid-’80s, and appeared in various theater productions, including Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (1984), Black Girl (1985), Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (1986). From there, Bassett nabbed bit roles in television and film before moving to Los Angeles in 1988 in hopes of securing more work.
An uptick in opportunities came along with the change of scenery, as the budding thespian opened the subsequent decade on a tear. Appearing in a succession of high-profile films during the ’90s, Bassett’s popularity was soon outpaced only by her credibility. Roles in 1995’s Panther and Vampire in Brooklyn were not only culturally significant but commercially successful, expanding her base and leading to mainstream roles in releases like 1997’s Contact and 1999’s Music of the Heart.
Known for her stern, yet stunning countenance, and disarming charm, Bassett would close out the decade with numerous honors and accolades to her name, including a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award nomination, and several NAACP Image Awards. Over the past two decades and counting, she has only added to her trophy case, winning a Screen Actors Guild Award, several Primetime Emmy Awards, BET Awards, and multiple wins at the Black Reel Awards.
And with the recent reprisal of her role as Ramonda in the Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serving as a full-circle moment, the cinematic icon continues to maintain her relevance and reputation for excellence in Black Hollywood and beyond.
In this edition of Hollywood Shuffle, VIBE looks back on the 10 iconic roles that have defined Angela Bassett’s career.