Quotes by Angela Bassett

I love doing action. Since I'm not 21, there's some, 'Let me get to the gym so I can do it.' But I love to defy expectations.

I want my children to experience as much creativity as possible. That's what sets your mind on fire.

We all have a gift; we all have a passion -- it's just about finding it and going into it. Being an asset to your family and community.

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.

My mom was always pretty supportive. She saw me do plays and she'd always act out the parts I did.

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.

I'd tell my 20-year-old self, 'Don't be afraid to do it all. Whatever you're interested in, just go for it. Don't wait around for a better time.'

As an actor, you're used to putting on characters, taking them off, becoming someone else, doing your research, and working on that.

The world has white people and black people in it. Even in Harlem.

I would have to say honestly I was very pleased to be in a movie 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.

It's more than just saying lines and turning the light on. You have to drive the story -- there's a technical aspect.

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.

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'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.

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.

Memories are meant to fade, Lenny. They're designed that way for a reason.

Of course you want to do all the research that you can, but it's impossible to take a life and the boundaries of an hour and a half, so there is hope there will be understanding about that also.

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 you ask the best questions of yourself and others, you invite the best answers.

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.

I want to be evil! I did play Lady Macbeth on stage to Alec Baldwin's Macbeth back in New York in 1998. But I've played a lot of characters who are so righteous and understanding. I don't want to be a goody-goody two-shoes all the time.

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.

It's important to 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.

I am content that the work that I've done is wonderful.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

God made a way out of no way.

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

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.

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.

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.

I guess I'm breaking out a little of what's comfortable and easy.