Angela Bassett

 Angela Bassett is a captivating, gifted and sensational actress. Her presence can be felt on stage and on TV screens across the globe. Angela Evelyn Bassett is a New York City native, born to Betty Jane Gilbert who was a social worker as well as Daniel Benjamin Bassett (a preacher's boy). Bassett along with her sister D'nette grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida with their mother. As a single mom, Betty stressed the importance of education for her children. Bassett was able to enroll into Yale University with the help of a scholarship. In the year 1980, she was awarded her B.A. in African-American studies at Yale University. In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale School of Drama. The school was where Yale where Bassett became engaged to her husband, Courtney B. Vance, who graduated in 1986 from the Drama School.Bassett initially appeared in minor roles on The Cosby Show (1984) and Spenser: For Hire (1985), but it wasn't until the year 1990 that she began to get television roles brought her notice. Her breakthrough role, though she was playing Tina Turner, whom she had never seen perform before performing the role in The What's Love Got to Do with It (1993). Bassett won an Academy Award nomination for her performance as well as a Golded Globe Award as Best Actress.