LOS ANGELES: Actress Angela Bassett was celebrated for a lifetime of unforgettable roles from Tina Turner to the queen of Wakanda as Hollywood’s film academy handed out honourary Oscars, western media reported on Thursday.
Comedian Mel Brooks received a golden statuette at the festival in front of a crowd of top stars including Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman and Leonardo DiCaprio.
On stage accepting her award, Bassett paid rich tribute to the 10 Black women who have won Academy Awards – naming each one – and expressed hope the industry would give more opportunities for people of color.
Mel Brooks, Angela Bassett Accept Honorary Oscars at Hollywood Festival
Angela Bassett was nominated for 2 competitive Oscars. The first was for her role as Turner in 1993’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and the 2nd one for playing Queen Ramonda in 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
ALSO READ: Venice Film Festival Wraps 80th Edition with Strong Films Despite Hollywood Strike
Director, writer, and actor Brooks, now 97, started his career writing comedy routines for Sid Caesar’s TV shows in the 1950s before making movies.
The academy also honored Sundance Film Festival executive Michelle Satter and film editor Carol Littleton.
