Angela Bassett added another accolade to her shelf at the 14th Governors Awards, where she received an Honorary Oscar for her contributions to the film industry.
As she accepted the award onstage, Bassett, 65, used part of her speech to shout out “trailblazing” Black actresses who came before her, like Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Rosalind Cash.
During her lengthy speech, Bassett also pointed out how few Black women have won a Best Actress Oscar (only Halle Berry), and gave props to fellow Black actresses “who are makers of history in our industry,” including Jennifer Hudson, Regina King, Viola Davis, Mo’Nique, Lupita Nyong’o, Octavia Spencer and Ariana DeBose.
On June 26, 2023, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Bassett, along with actor and filmmaker Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton, would receive Honorary Oscars at the ceremony, which was originally scheduled for Nov. 18.
Previously, Bassett earned two Oscar nominations.
In 1993, she received a Best Actress nod for her portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It.
Her performance as Queen Ramonda in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever notched her a Best Supporting Actress nomination.
-PEOPLE
