2022 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Movie Roles That Earned Angela Bassett Her Legendary Status
Academy Award-nominated actress Angela Bassett won big at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards hosted by actor and comedian Anthony Anderson, after taking home the trophy for "Outstanding Actress In a Drama Series" for her performance as Athena Grant on FOX’s hit high action drama 9-1-1. The spectacular moment marked the veteran Hollywood star’s 11th Image Award win. During her acceptance award speech, the legendary actress thanked the NAACP for its support “tonight and my entire career.” She added, “Definitely want to thank my fellow nominees whose work is consistently nuanced and beautiful and inspiring.”
The actress previously won an Image Award for her roles in films including Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, What’s Love Got to Do with It, Black Nativity, and the same role in 9-1-1 from the 52nd annual show. After we reflect on yet another amazing event celebrating Black excellence and some of the biggest and brightest talents in the industry, check out five films that earned Angela Bassett her legendary status.
Katherine Jackson — The Jacksons: An American Dream
During this two-part, five-hour special, Bassett continually gives a memorable performance as the matriarch of the famed Jackson family. Audiences look to the actress’s performance, especially in contrast to an angry, violent Joseph Jackson played by actor Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.
Stella Payne — How Stella Got Her Groove Back
In the role that earned her the 1999 NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Lead Actress", Bassett is Stella Payne. After going on vacation, Stella is a corporate worker who finds a whirlwind romance with a younger gentleman. The experience reminds her that it’s never too late to find yourself again.
Betty Shabazz — Malcolm X
Bassett kept her career moment going after appearing in the cult classic Boyz n the Hood; the award-winning actress took on the role of Betty Shabazz, also known as Betty X alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s 1992 historical drama Malcolm X. Bassett’s portrayal of the nurse and activist who would later become Malcolm X's wife is arguably one of the best of her roles still till this day.
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Bernadine "Bernie" Harris — Waiting to Exhale
With too many memorable lines to choose from, several courtesies of Bassett’s character as Bernadine Harris and her cheating husband John Sr. played by veteran actor Michael Beach. The role earned her an NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture".
Tina Turner — What's Love Got To Do With It
Bassett is the iconic Queen of Rock and Roll, Tina Turner. Adapted from Tina Turner's autobiography I, Tina, the film follows the life from a rural upbringing to her rise to stardom, and the abuse she survived at the hands of her ex-husband, Ike Turner., played by Lawrence Fishburne. The movie is one of Bassett’s most successful roles, earning her several nominations, including a Golden Globe win for "Best Actress" and "Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy".
