La Cañada Flintridge resident Angela Bassett received an Honorary Oscar on Jan. 9 at the 14th Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
The honorary award, an Oscar statuette, is given “to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy,” Academy President Janet Yang said in a press release.
Along with Bassett, Mel Brooks and Carol Littleton also received honorary awards.
Bassett thanked a series of important people in her life during her speech, which included her family, the many production teams she’s worked with and Black women mentors she has had over the years.
“Thank you to the Academy and the Board of Governors for this award,” said Bassett during her acceptance speech. “I have considered acting my calling and not just my career. I do this work because I find it meaningful, and I hope in some way that it makes a difference and has an impact. To be recognized in this way for what I love doing is truly wonderful and I am beyond grateful.”
As the second Black actress to receive the award, Bassett took the time to soak in the moment and speak to what this award means for future generations to come.
“When acting took hold of my heart there was not a clear path to what success could look like, because there were so few, so few Black actresses in prominent roles in television or film,” said Bassett.
“This honor isn’t just for or about me, what I hope this moment means, is that we are taking the necessary steps toward a future in which, it is the norm, not the exception to see and embrace one another’s full humanity, stories and perspectives,” she added. “This must be our goal and to always remember that there is room for us all. When we stand together, we win together.”
Bassett’s career has established her as one of the most esteemed actors of her time. Her breakthrough role as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It” earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Her film credits include “Boyz N the Hood,” “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Music of the Heart,” “Sunshine State,” “Black Panther,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” “Soul” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” in which her supporting performance earned her a second Oscar nomination. Her television credits include “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” “The Rosa Parks Story,” “American Horror Story” and “9-1-1.”
After her inspirational speech, Bassett said: “To all who have been on this journey with me and supported the films in which I’ve had the privilege to play, it is my profound honor to have been able to make you see and feel through my work. Thank you for sharing this moment with me, and still I say, ‘The best is yet to come.’”
First published in the January 18 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
