5 Performances Where Angela Bassett Should Have Received an Oscar
Angela Bassett is set to receive an honorary Oscar at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony, a decision that has left her devoted fans feeling far from thrilled.
Despite her critical acclaim and immense versatility, the 65-year-old star has received only two Oscar nominations throughout her three-decade career. This fact has long been a source of frustration for her ardent supporters.
Many of these fans took to social media to vent their disappointment about the upcoming honorary award. One Twitter user lamented, “Honorary awards are for people who don’t actually do the thing that you give the award for,” wrote one X/Twitter user, adding that “Angela Bassett should have won several REAL Oscars, y’all are just f—king losers.”
Similarly, another commenter expressed, “Bassett should’ve had her Oscar years ago and if not for Tina Turner and her other roles, then definitely as Queen Ramonda.”
In the wake of this recent announcement, we're revisiting five of the star’s unforgettable performances that, despite their brilliance, regrettably failed to secure her the well-deserved victory.
Tina Turner / “What's Love Got to Do with It” (1993)
In her iconic portrayal of Tina Turner in “What's Love Got to Do with It,” Bassett performed for the ages. Her transformation into the late legendary rock 'n' roll queen Tina Turner was astonishing. While she earned a nomination in 1994 for “Best Actress,” she lost to Holly Hunter for her role as Ada McGrath in “The Piano.”
Bernadine / “Waiting to Exhale” (1995)
Bassett's performance in “Waiting to Exhale” was a tour de force of emotional depth and authenticity. Her portrayal of Bernadine, a character navigating the complexities of love and life, was a masterclass in capturing raw human emotions, making her Oscar-worthy in every sense.
Betty Shabazz / “Malcolm X” (1992)
In Spike Lee's epic biographical drama, “Malcolm X,” the actress delivered a captivating performance as Betty Shabazz, the wife of the civil rights icon. Her portrayal of Shabazz's strength, resilience, and unwavering support for the human rights activist was a testament to her acting prowess. The depth and nuance she brought to the character deserved the highest recognition.
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Mace / “Strange Days” (1995)
Kathryn Bigelow's cyberpunk thriller "Strange Days" featured Angela Bassett in a dynamic and action-packed role as Mace, a loyal friend and bodyguard. Her character added depth to the film's narrative, which covered themes including abuse of power, racism, and more.
Bassett's fierce performance was deserving of recognition from the Academy.
Queen Ramonda / “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2023)
Bassett delivered a powerful, poignant performance as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Amidst the challenges of mourning the loss of her co-star, Chadwick Boseman, and portraying the heart-wrenching loss of her on-screen son, King T'Challa, her character navigated these emotional depths with grace and skill.
Though the role earned her a nomination for “Best Supporting Actress,” the award ultimately went to Jamie Lee Curtis for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
