We love us some Angela Bassett. In addition to being a girl's girl and advocate for important issues like diabetes, she's, first and foremost, a transcendent actress.
Through the years, the wife of fellow actor Courtney B. Vance has played many memorable roles that have not only touched our hearts but allowed us to reflect on iconic Black women in history, from singers, to mothers of musical artists and even political figures.
This fall, we'll see the star of our November/December 2022 cover reprise her role as the Queen Mother Ramonda in the Marvel sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Ahead of the November 11 release, here's a look at Angela Bassett's Best Films.
Illustrations by Darius X. Moreno
01
What's Love
In this classic 1993 film, Bassett played the heck out of singer Tina Turner. The tumultuous life of Turner was captured so well, you almost forgot Bassett was playing a role.
Buena Vista Pictures
02
Waiting to Exhale
There's nothing scarier than a woman scorned and in this 1995 hit-film Bassett plays the ultimate, as Bernadine Harris. With a no-good husband and friends as close as sisters, her role in this film will never be forgotten.
20th Century Fox
03
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Based of the life of author Terry McMillan, this film was a standout role for Bassett and newcomer, Taye Diggs. The name "Stella" will forever be synonymous with older women who find young men while on vacation— which actually happens quite often.
20th Century Fox
04
Jackson 5
Another biopic Bassett nailed was as Katherine Jackson in this ABC two-part movie. We'll never forget her "I don't want you, I don't want you, I don't want you" line in it.
ABC
05
Akeelah and the Bee
As Akeelah's encouraging mom, Bassett won our hearts over in this film about an exceptionally smart young girl. It was also a great moment to see her with Laurence Fishburne again, who played her husband in 'What's Love Got to Do with It'.
Lionsgate Films
06
Malcolm X
Bassett is one of the few actors to have played the same part twice, but she's been phenomenal as Dr. Betty Shabazz on two occasions. In this Spike Lee classic, she plays the indomitable wife of activist, Malcolm X.
40 Acres And A Mule
07
Vampire in Brooklyn
Every actor plays a cop at least once in their career, and Bassett was great alongside Eddie Murphy in this film. The dark comedy has Bassett as a sexy detective who's the object of Maximillian's desire.
Paramount Pictures
08
The Score
As a top-billed talent in this 2001 movie, Bassett plays alongside the greats— Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando. She plays De Niro's girlfriend who goes in on a nearly impossible heist.
Paramount Pictures
09
Notorious
Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace's life was immortalized in this 2009 film. It's not easy playing someone who is still alive to critique you, but Bassett did a phenomenal job at Biggies mother Voletta Wallace.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
10
Meet The Browns
Who can resist a good rom-com? In this Tyler Perry film, Bassett plays the lead as a single mother not looking for love— but finds it anyway in Rick Fox's character. Super sweet!
