Angela Bassett

 Angela Bassett is a captivating, gifted and sensational actor. Her presence can be seen on stage as well as on TV screens around the world. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on the 16th of August, 1958, in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), Social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a preacher's son. Bassett and her sister D'nette lived in St. Petersburg, Florida along with their mother. Betty was a single mother, stressed the importance in education of her children. With the help of an academic scholarship, Bassett matriculated into Yale University. She graduated with a B.A. in 1980. Yale University awarded her a B.A. in African-American Studies. In 1983, she graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale School of Drama. Bassett was introduced to Courtney B. Vance at Yale in 1983. She was graduated in 1986. Drama School graduate. Bassett first appeared in The Cosby Show (1984), and Spenser: For Hire (1985), although she was noticed for a variety of television roles in the year 1990. Her first big role, however, was playing Tina Turner, whom she was not familiar with prior to playing the character, in The What's Love Has to Do with It (1993). Bassett's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golded Globe Award for Best Actress.