Angela Bassett's legacy keeps getting better and better. After three decades of giving us remarkable performances and racking up awards, the legendary actress can now call herself an Emmy winner.

She recently won her first Emmy for outstanding narration on National Geographic’s nature documentary Queens during the Creative Arts Emmys. She opened up about the win to a reporter. “This is one of the big ones, and that doesn’t usually happen,” she said.

“Whenever you’re acknowledged, I’m just, you know, a girl who just wanted to act. My mentors were way out ahead of me. I just looked to them and got inspiration and hope and, and I just put my focus, my energy, and my love to try to make it happen in my life and for my life.”

She concluded, “So each and every day, I try to remember that first love, and when this happens, I appreciate it.” In honor of Angela's recent achievement, we take a look at her extraordinary career.

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Academy Awards

In January 2024, the 66-year-old actress received an honorary Oscar for her esteemed career. This came after being nominated for the prestigious award twice, in 1994 for What's Love Got to Do with Itand in 2023 for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. During her speech, she reflected on her journey, her love for acting, and praised other Black actresses.

"Thank you, thank you to the Academy and the Board of Governors for this award," she said. "I have considered acting my calling and not just my career. I do this work because I find it meaningful and I hope in some way that it makes a difference and has an impact. To be recognized in this way for what I love doing is truly wonderful and I am beyond grateful."

Critics Choice Award

The mom of two won Best Supporting Actress at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

BET Awards

The 9-1-1 actress won Best Actress at the 2023 BET Awards.

Golden Globes

In 2023, Angela received a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She won her first Golden Globe in 1994 for her starring role in What's Love Got to Do with It.

Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

Black Girls Rock!

In 2019, Angela was the recipient of the Icon Award for Black Girls Rock! She gave a rousing speech while accepting the award. "My purpose as a Black woman, as an actress, has always been to portray excellence on the screen, to be proud, unapologetic, and without regret," she said.

NAACP Image Awards

The decorated actress has won countless Image awards. In 2020, 2022, and 2023, Angela won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for 9-1-1. In 2023, she took home awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the Entertainer of the Year.

Other films/ series she has Image awards for include What's Love Got to Do with It, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Black Nativity, Music of the Heart, Ruby's Bucket of Blood, The Score, Malcolm X, Sunshine State, The Rosa Parks Story, and ER.

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Angela took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Black Panther at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Walk of Fame

Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

The legendary received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 20, 2008. During the ceremony, she reflected on when she first moved to L.A. to pursue her dreams. “I meant to stay six months, but I stayed. Today, my cup runneth over!” she said in her speech. “I am crying now, I cried yesterday and the day before. … This day is so, so special to me.”

Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

Feature image by Amy Sussman/Getty Images

ALSO ON XONECOLE