Angela Bassett poses with her honorary award during the Governors Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles.
Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
After nearly 40 years as an actress and two Oscar nominations, Angela Bassett has received an honorary Academy Award.
She was honored Tuesday at the 14th annual Governors Awards, a gathering of the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out Oscars.
“Thank you, thank you to the Academy and the Board of Governors for this award,” Bassett said in her acceptance speech, which lasted 15 minutes. “I have considered acting my calling and not just my career. I do this work because I find it meaningful and I hope in some way that it makes a difference and has an impact. To be recognized in this way for what I love doing is truly wonderful and I am beyond grateful.”
She thanked her sister, D’nette, husband and fellow actor Courtney B. Vance and her children, Bronwyn and Slater, who she asked to stand.
She additionally expressed gratitude to her mother and aunt for allowing her to follow her dreams, despite their concerns that she was using her two Yale University degrees to pursue acting. (She has an undergraduate degree in African American studies, a graduate degree in drama and an honorary doctorate from Yale.)
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Bassett turned the spotlight to other Black actresses
Bassett used several moments of her speech to acknowledge other Black actresses she admires for their talents and…
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