Angela Bassett is a powerhouse actress and a certified cultural icon. She has portrayed some of the most revered Black women in history over her three-decade career. In recent years, she’s been making headlines for becoming the first Marvel actor to earn a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination.

From her scene-stealing role in “What’s Love Got to Do with It” to the blockbuster franchise “Black Panther,” Bassett has cemented herself in Hollywood history. However, her legacy is about more than fame. Instead her work uplifts Black women and opens doors for the next generation of talent. Here’s what to know about Bassett’s net worth and the impact behind the numbers.

How Did Angela Bassett Become Famous?

Angela Bassett was born on August 16, 1958, in New York City and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. She attended Yale University, where she earned a BA in African-American studies and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. It seems as though being in front of the screen was undeniable. Bassett had early roles in “Boyz n the Hood” and “Malcolm X,” but her breakthrough came in 1993.

She starred as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” a performance that earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. From there, Bassett took on a wide range of roles in films like “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” and “The Rosa Parks Story.” Her portrayals of real-life Black women made her a household name.

What Movies Made Angela Bassett the Most Money?

Bassett has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of the 2010s and 2020s. However, Celebrity Net Worth reported that she earned $250,000 for her role in “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

Her role as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther” and its sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” significantly boosted her earnings. Chadwick Boseman earned $2 million for his lead role as T’Challa in the first “Black Panther,” according to Just Jared. As a supporting character, Bassett likely earned a comparable amount or slightly less.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” grossed over $454 million at the domestic box office in 2023, according to Deadline. It also earned over $850 million globally, proving Bassett’s star power. In 2020, Bassett also lent her voice to the character of Dorothea in Pixar’s “Soul,” which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Bassett’s work on television has also been equally lucrative. She starred in the hit series “American Horror Story” and has been a lead on “9-1-1” since 2018. Deadline additionally reported that Bassett inked a new deal in 2021 ahead of season 5 of “9-1-1,” now earning around $450,000 per episode.

What Businesses Does She Own?

Bassett is a skilled actress and producer. Alongside her husband actor Courtney B. Vance, she founded the production company Bassett Vance Productions. The company signed a deal with 20th Television in 2024 to create content that centers Black voices.

“Angela and Courtney are deeply thoughtful storytellers, with incredible intellect and insight, and true ability to unearth distinct, relevant and unique material that reflects the human experience and the world in which we live,” Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, told Deadline. 

Bassett also works with charitable organizations that focus on the arts, women’s empowerment, and health. She’s a celebrity ambassador for UNICEF and supported the Rape Foundation brunch for the Rape Treatment Center in 2019. 

Does Angela Bassett Own Property?

Bassett has invested in real estate over the years. According to CelebrityNet Worth, Basset and Vance shared a home in Los Angeles before putting it on the market for $6 million in 2007. 

The home, located in Hancock Park, features five bedrooms, a pool and a theater. In 2004, while Vance was starring in “Law & Order,” the couple purchased a one-bedroom apartment in a luxury condominium in New York City for  $845,000, according to TheObserver. 

What Is Angela Bassett’s Net Worth?

As of 2024, Bassett’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth. Her wealth comes from decades of consistent film and television roles, high-paying series like “9-1-1,” and her work as a producer. She made history in 2023 as the first Marvel actress to receive an Academy Award nomination. That moment was a win for her and a milestone for Black women in film.

In interviews, the actress has emphasized that while she doesn’t pursue her career for the money, she believes all Black women deserve fair pay.

“Everyone wants to keep the lights on, but I’ve never been motivated solely by money or fame,” she told InStyle in 2022. “For me, it’s always and only been for the joy of following my dreams. That’s what makes me feel alive. Now, it’s good to be paid. That is one thing that I’ve said to myself since early on in my career. I mean, I literally would say, “I want to work in roles that can change me and change the conversation. I want to work consistently. And I want to be paid fairly.” It’s about knowing your worth and standing on it.”

Bassett also works with brands. In 2023, Angela Bassett partnered with Dr. Barbara Sturm to launch a skincare line specifically designed for women with darker skin tones. It addressed hyperpigmentation, inflammation and pore size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Did Angela Bassett Get Paid for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”? The exact amount Bassett made for her lead role in the film isn’t exactly known. However, a fan on Twitter speculated that she made $350,000 in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” based on information from Unilad.

Is Angela Bassett the Highest-Paid Black Actress? No. However, Deadline reported in 2021 that Bassett is earning $450,000 per episode for “9-1-1,” making her one of the highest paid actresses of color in a drama series. 

Does Angela Bassett Still Act? Yes. Bassett is gearing up to voice the character Iphigenia in the stop-motion animation film “Wildwood,” which is releasing sometime in 2026, according to IMDB. She also is the lead actress in the hit television series “9-1-1” and has major roles in multiple newly released films, like “G-20,” and “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”