34 Quotes by Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett is an American actress known for her powerful performances in film, television, and on stage. She has been nominated for numerous awards, including an Academy Award for her role in "What's Love Got to Do With It," in which she portrayed Tina Turner. Bassett has also appeared in several other films, including "Malcolm X," "Waiting to Exhale," and "Black Panther." In addition to her work as an actress, Bassett is a philanthropist and activist, and she has been involved with several charitable organizations over the years. She is widely respected for her talent, her intelligence, and her commitment to social justice. (Bio)
Angela Bassett Quotes
Surround yourself with good people, interesting people, young people, young ideas. Go places, learn new stuff. Look at the world with wonder - don't be tired about it. (Meaning)
Don't settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that's in us.
When you ask the best questions of yourself and others, you invite the best answers. (Meaning)
The first time I acted was in high school in Florida, and when I heard that applause I felt so alive and felt that electricity go up my spine.
This is a career about images. It's celluloid; they last for ever. I'm a black woman from America. My people were slaves in America, and even though we're free on paper and in law, I'm not going to allow you to enslave me on film, in celluloid, for all to see.
Maybe if you're younger you have more energy - but that's a big maybe. Because at this stage of life, I have more patience, understanding, wisdom, resources - and a husband. I didn't get him until I was 39. But I got a good one.
Loving God is like my being black. I just am. [No one says] 'You know what? I'm gonna be blacker today!' It's my culture. It's not something I put on or take off or show more. You just communicate that in the way you live your life.
When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much he loved you. That he, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you...you just weep.
I really believe that what I do as an actress is my God-given talent. This is my calling, not my career.
I remembered that throughout my growing up and education and pursuing my dreams and desires, going into acting, and, of course, getting through Yale University and on and on and on, that being average, being mediocre was not an option that you should be proud of.
When I was in school, my mother stressed education. I am so glad she did. I graduated from Yale College and Yale University with my master's and I didn't do it by missing school.
I can give you the King's English and then I can take it to the street, but do both or do one and don't do one knowing only the street. That's going to hold you back because what comes out is going to impress people, and it will impress them negatively.
When I got married, I was all in love, but then came life intruding in, and sometimes it's difficult ... I would look at my husband and ask, 'did we do it too quickly?' ... But my husband was strong in his resolve. He kept reminding me that people go through this, and that we were going to be ok.
I look in the eyes and I see the heart. As long as it's a human story. I would like to turn on my television and see African American, Hispanic, Asian as well as Caucasian. And I think there are probably more people like me.
Acting is my calling, not my career.
The three things I said when I came out of school were I want to work consistently, I want to do good work and I want to be paid fairly, and that's happened. But I didn't become an actress for the money. I do it for other reasons.
I guess I'm breaking out a little of what's comfortable and easy.
Theater's my first love. I love it. It excites me. It feeds me.
Drink a bunch of water and get facials regularly. I take care of my skin.
I love vegan choices, raw food choices, and I’ll eat whatever I have to in order to get into whatever shape I need to get into for any one particular role.
I am content that the work that I've done is wonderful.
It’s more than just saying lines and turning the light on. You have to drive the story - there’s a technical aspect.
Memories are meant to fade, Lenny. They're designed that way for a reason.
People confuse the person and the part.
I hope I just continue to be passionate about the roles and to always endeavor to bring clarity and honesty to the table and different ideas.
The world has white people and black people in it. Even in Harlem.
I'm the type of individual that I enjoy watching any different cultural lives, and I see the common humanity even though the hair textures are different or the skin tones are varied.
In feature film world I'm very much...a hired hand. It's a world of Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Mel Gibson - they're able to produce and to star and it's, that's not my world.
I think if you're able to do over the course of your career 20, 30, 50 very wonderful rich characters, you'd rather have that than an Oscar.
My mom was always pretty supportive. She saw me do plays and she'd always act out the parts I did. My aunt, who played a big part in my life, was a little bit more reserved, because if they don't see you on TV every week they think you must be starving.
My mom was always pretty supportive. She saw me do plays and she'd always act out the parts I did.
I'm thinking about directing, but I know it's a lot of work and I appreciate what directors do and I would like to be good at it. The opportunity has presented itself four to five times, and I usually said no because of the script.
I like the nice guys. I like when they show the stories, the human element behind it all.
I don't really like horror shows, horror movies, or any of that. I'm really a lightweight, in terms of that.
― Angela Bassett Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
