Angela Bassett, a highly talented actress, was recently honored with an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards Ceremony. This prestigious recognition is awarded for an actor’s significant contributions to the motion picture arts. The Governors Awards, held annually for the past 14 years, highlight actors and actresses who may have been overlooked in previous ceremonies.
During her acceptance speech, Bassett expressed gratitude to her family and thanked the board of governors for acknowledging her achievements. She remained humble and encouraged fellow Black actresses, emphasizing the importance of their contributions. Bassett is only the second Black actress to receive an honorary Oscar in the history of the Governors Awards, with Cicely Tyson being the first in 2018. Bassett acknowledged Tyson as her dear friend and mentor, expressing the significance of working and learning from her.
Despite being nominated for Oscars twice in the past, Bassett has not won the coveted award. Her first nomination was in 1994 for the best actress category for her role in the Tina Turner biopic “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” The second nomination occurred at last year’s Oscars for best supporting actress in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” While she missed out on winning both times, her performances garnered significant support, and her Oscar snub in 2023 upset many.
At the recent Governors Awards Ceremony, four other Oscars were presented, including honorary awards for Mel Brooks and Carol Littleton, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for Michelle Satter. Angela Bassett’s long-overdue honorary Oscar is a testament to her outstanding contributions to the film industry.