Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an
American actress. She has become well-known for her
biographical film roles portraying real life women in
African American culture, perhaps most prominently as singer
Tina Turner in the motion picture
What's Love Got to Do with It, as well as her portrayal of
Betty Shabazz in the films
Malcolm X and
Panther,
Rosa Parks in the
The Rosa Parks Story,
Michael Jackson's mother
Katherine in the
miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream and Christopher (The Notorious B.I.G.) Wallace's Mother Voletta Wallace in the Biopic
Notorious.
Early life
Bassett was born in
Harlem and relocated to
St. Petersburg, Florida as a child. She and her sister D'nette were raised by their
social worker/civil servant mother, Betty.
[Angela Bassett Biography (1958-)][As Tina Turner, Wig to High Heels - New York Times] As her interest in entertainment developed, she and her sister would often put on shows, reading poems or performing popular music for their family. At
Boca Ciega High School, Bassett was a member of the debate team, student government, drama club, choir, and was a cheerleader.
