Angela Bassett is finally getting an Oscar

Angela Bassett will soon do the thing: accept an Oscar.
The "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" star is set to receive an honorary Oscar at this year's Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced.
"Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting," Academy President Janet Yang said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Academy's Governors Awards honor individuals for their lifetime of contributions to cinema, and Yang said this year's recipients all "transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans." The awards are handed out at a separate ceremony from the televised Academy Awards. Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton will also receive honorary Oscars, while Michelle Satter, a "pillar of the independent film community," is getting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Bassett was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," and some pundits thought she might win after she was awarded a Golden Globe for the role. But the Oscar ultimately went to Jamie Lee Curtis for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and viewers noticed that Bassett appeared disappointed by her loss. But she still made history, as she became the first person to receive an acting nomination for a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. She also earned BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations for "Wakanda Forever." Bassett was previously nominated for the Best Actress Oscar in 1994 for "What's Love Got to Do with It," ultimately losing to Holly Hunter for "The Piano." She has also been nominated for seven Primetime Emmys.
Past honorary Oscar recipients have included actors who surprisingly never won a competitive Oscar in their career, such as Samuel L. Jackson. Michael J. Fox also received the Humanitarian Award at 2022's ceremony, which was not televised. This year's Governor's Awards are scheduled for Nov. 18.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The best body horror movies of the last half-century
The Week Recommends If 'The Substance' piqued your interest, these other films will likely be your speed
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Why Japanese residents can't watch their country's Oscar-nominated #MeToo documentary
THE EXPLAINER Shiori Ito became one of the faces of Japan's #MeToo movement
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
I'm Still Here: 'superb' drama explores Brazil's military dictatorship
The Week Recommends Fernanda Torres delivers 'phenomenal' performance as mother whose life is shattered by violence in the Oscar-nominated drama
By The Week UK Published
-
2025 Oscars: voters, record-breakers and precedent-setters
The explainer A walk through Academy Awards history, both past and present
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Is method acting falling out of fashion?
Talking Points The divisive technique has its detractors, though it has also wrought quite a few Oscar-winning performances
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
September 5: 'nail-chewing' thriller explores 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack
The Week Recommends Oscar-nominated film cuts between dramatised events and real archival footage from news coverage
By The Week UK Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published