Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958, in New York City, and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. She graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1976. Bassett attended Yale University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in African-American studies in 1980 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1983.
Bassett’s early acting career included stage work and minor roles in television and film. She appeared in productions at Yale Repertory Theatre and began securing small roles in television shows such as “Search for Tomorrow” and “Spenser: For Hire”. Her early film roles included “F/X” (1986) and “Kindergarten Cop” (1990).
Bassett gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic “What’s Love Got to Do with It” (1993), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and winning a Golden Globe Award. She is known for portraying strong female characters, particularly in historical and biographical roles. Notable roles include Betty Shabazz in “Malcolm X” (1992) and “Panther” (1995), Rosa Parks in “The Rosa Parks Story” (2002), and Coretta Scott King in “Betty and Coretta” (2013).