Angela Bassett Accepts Honorary Oscar At Hollywood Gala, Pays Tribute To The Continuing Legacy Of "Trailblazing" Black Actors

Actor Angela Bassett was awarded with an honorary oscar by the Hollywood film academy on Tuesday, where she was recognized for her wide array of memorable and iconic roles, spanning from Tina Turner to the queen of Wakanda. During the 14th Annual Governors Awards, comedian Mel Brooks also received the golden statuette in the presence of a star-studded audience that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, and Natalie Portman.

Angela Bassett's close friend and former co-star from "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "Boyz n the Hood," Regina King, presented her with the award. She cashed on this oppurtunity to give a very wholesome speech and introduction to her "incomparable" friend.

"Angela has lived a career for the ages, and I swear she is ageless," King said of Bassett, whilst also describing her as "national treasure" and "incomparable."

"So many times I've heard people say that Angela is the very embodiment of Black excellence, but let me correct that," King added. "She has a perspective and a voice and a beauty that is proudly Black, but what she embodies at her core is beyond anything that is skin-deep. She is artistic excellence embodied in human form."

While accepting her award on stage, Angela Bassett extended her gratitude by presenting flowers to the "trailblazing" Black actresses who paved the way and paid homage to the ten Black women who have achieved Academy Awards, individually naming each of them. She expressed her hope that the film industry would continue to offer increased opportunities for people of color.

"My prayer is that we leave this industry more enriched, forward-thinking and inclusive than we found it," Bassett, 65, said. "At the end of the day, we all just want to have the opportunity to do great, meaningful work."

She also celebrated the current generation of talented Black actresses, referring to them as "makers of history in our industry" and "beacons of possibility and hope for little Black and brown girls who aspire to one day pursue the dream of becoming an actor."

Angela Bassett received two Oscar nominations in her career. The first one recognized her breakthrough performance as Tina Turner in the 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do with It," while the second nomination was for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," released in 2022.

Angela Bassett and the other honorees were chosen by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the same group responsible for presenting this year's Oscars in March.

Mel Brooks, now 97 years old, embarked on his career by crafting comedy routines for Sid Caesar's television programs during the 1950s. He later transitioned into filmmaking, contributing to classics like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein." 

He secured an Academy Award for his screenplay for the 1967 film "The Producers," which subsequently achieved success as a popular Broadway production.

Following a musical introduction by the stars of "The Producers," Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, Mel Brooks humorously remarked about his newfound Oscar, mentioning that he had sold his previous trophy. 

He quipped, "I won't sell this one, I swear to God."

The Academy also recognized film editor Carol Littleton and Sundance Film Festival executive Michelle Satter for their contributions.