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Meet Angela Bassett’s Husband & Fellow Actor, Courtney B. Vance

Athena Carter’s on-screen chemistry with Bobby Nash is easily one of the best parts of Fox’s 9-1-1, but these lovebirds don’t hold a candle to Angela Bassett’s real-life romance.

You may have spotted the 64-year-old icon with her spouse, Courtney B. Vance, at countless red-carpet events, from award shows to movie premieres. And though the duo is known for keeping their personal lives under wraps, we’re still curious to know more about Angela Bassett’s husband. Is he an actor? And how did they meet? As it turns out, he has way more in common with his wife than we thought. Keep reading for more details. 

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1. Who Is Angela Bassett’s Husband?

The Black Panther star is currently married to fellow actor and producer, Courtney B. Vance. He got his start on Broadway, earning his first acting credit (and Tony Award nomination!) for the original production of Fences in 1985. By 2013, the star won his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Lucky Guy.

Fast-forward to the present day, and the seasoned actor has 72 acting credits and two Emmys under his belt. You may have spotted him in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Flashforward, 61st Street, Genius, Lovecraft Country and The Photograph (just to name a few). But aside from his acting projects, Vance is on the Board of Directors of New York’s The Actors Center. He also serves as president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. 

2. How Did Bassett and Vance First Meet?

Bassett and Vance first met at the Yale School of Drama in 1980, but they didn’t initially hit it off. During his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007, he admitted that he didn’t remember her from their time at Yale. Things shifted when they bumped into each other several years later.

Bassett told People, “Maybe about 14 years later, our paths crossed here in Los Angeles. And I was single, he was single. And I had such an appreciation for him over those years—of his consistency, how he treated other people, of what a supporter he is, what a connector of people and ideas he is, how passionate he is." 

In her and Vance’s book, Friends: A Love Story, the Golden Globe winner detailed how she knew that her relationship with Vance was the real deal. Describing their first kiss, she wrote, “It was truly reminiscent of my first puppy-love kisses. I got pinpricks and chills up the back of my thighs and across my butt, up my neck and across my scalp.” Vance said, "I had to go to tell my mom that I think I've found my wife." Yep, sounds like love.

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Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

3. When Did They Get Married?

In October 1997—three years after their first date—the couple tied the knot. Details about the ceremony haven’t been revealed, but the duo did discuss their mutual decision to stay celibate until marriage. Vance told Oprah Winfrey, "Because we knew this relationship was so special, we decided to abstain from sex until after we were married." Bassett added, "That was my brilliant idea, but it wasn't easy. Actually, one night, I did beg Courtney to give in."

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John Shearer / Getty Images

4. Have They Worked Together?

Given that they’re both incredibly talented, it comes as no surprise that they’ve worked together. In 2005, the pair co-starred in His Girl Friday at the Guthrie Theatre in Minnesota. They also appeared in Panther, Unchained Memories and Nothing but the Truth. Additionally, the couple launched their own production company, Bassett Vance Productions, and they're currently in a partnership with Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios. As of now, they’re working on the film Heist 88, starring Vance, Keith David and Keesha Sharp.

Per Shadow and Act, Vance said, “At its core, it’s an unapologetically compelling story, which will be told through the lens of a powerful cast, that when the American Dream is not accessible to everyone, decisions are often made based on those inequities. I anticipate that Heist 88 will be a must-watch, particularly in light of the fascination with and popularity of true-crime stories on today’s streaming and network TV landscape.”

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Getty Images

5. Do They Have Any Children?

Bassett and Vance have twins, a son named Slater and a daughter named Bronwyn, who were born in January 2006. While discussing their parenting styles, Bassett told Glamour, “He is the definition of a helicopter parent. I have always told them, ‘I am your good time. Mama’s your good time. Because Daddy’s your helicopter.’”

The actress added, “They’re awesome young people, by and large, very kind, very thoughtful, very appreciative.”



nakeisha campbell bio

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

Nakeisha has been interviewing celebrities and covering all things entertainment for over 8 years, but she has also written on a wide range of topics, like career...