You can't always do that which you can do in your sleep. That doesn't fulfill an artist. You're looking for places where you can grow, in some way, whether it's a large way or a small way. I want to grow as an artist, as a person and as a woman. I want to enjoy myself and my life and the company that I'm keeping. I want to bring something to the table that's different than anything else would bring, but that has its place and value, and then keep moving.

Angela Bassett

Categorized in : Moving Sleep Artist

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.

Angela Bassett

women motivational inspirational

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

Angela Bassett

invites asks answers

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.

Angela Bassett

careers law america

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.

Angela Bassett

husband understanding energy

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

Angela Bassett

careers calling believe

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.

Angela Bassett

live-your-life black culture

When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much he loved you. That he, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you...you just weep.

Angela Bassett

earth son jesus

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.

Angela Bassett

growing-up yale dream

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.

Angela Bassett

knowing kings people

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.

Angela Bassett

college mother school

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

Angela Bassett

actors research character

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.

Angela Bassett

eye heart thinking

When I got married, I was all in love, but then came life intruding in, and sometimes it's difficult ... I would look at my husband and ask, 'did we do it too quickly?' ... But my husband was strong in his resolve. He kept reminding me that people go through this, and that we were going to be ok.

Angela Bassett

husband strong people

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.

Angela Bassett

three want school

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.

Angela Bassett

honesty tables ideas

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

Angela Bassett

comfortable easy littles

Acting is my calling, not my career.

Angela Bassett

careers acting calling

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

Angela Bassett

lines light stories

Theater's my first love. I love it. It excites me. It feeds me.

Angela Bassett

first-love theater firsts

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

Angela Bassett

done wonderful