Angela Bassett Quotes & Sayings

“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.”

“I really believe that what I do as an actress is my God-given talent. This is my calling, not my career.”

“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.”

“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 like the nice guys. I like when they show the stories, the human element behind it all.”

“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.”

“I would have to say honestly I was very pleased to be in a film whether it was good or bad with De Niro, Norton and Brando even if I don't have any scenes with them, I thought it was pretty good company to keep.”

“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.”

“God made a way out of no way.”

“Drink a bunch of water and get facials regularly. I take care of my skin.”