By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Although many in the acting community feel she should have received one on merit, actress Angela Bassett will finally get an Oscar. Bassett is among a group of distinguished individuals in the film industry who will receive honorary Oscars later this year. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement last week. Bassett was nominated this past year for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” She became the first person starring in a Marvel film to earn an Oscar nomination. The 64-year-old Bassett also was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her stunning portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got To Do With it.”
Bassett will be joined by the great actor/producer/writer Mel Brooks, film editor Carol Littleton and the Sundance Institute’s Michelle Satter, who will received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The honorary Oscars will be presented at the Governors Awards event Nov. 18. Bassett told USA Today that she had long ago adopted a philosophical approach about the Oscars.” I’d probably say, “‘Just hang in there, girl,’” Bassett said. ‘Take care of yourself, be grateful and just don’t give up. It’s going to be a long time coming maybe, but keep it all in perspective. It’s only doing good work that’s going to potentially get you there.’”
Brooks, 97, has already won one Oscar. He received the Best Screenplay award for the 1967 satire “The Producers,” which was his first film. Brooks’ career dates back to writing monologues and routines for Sid Caesar’s TV shows. He’s also among the select few to be in the EGOT (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) class. He’s been nominated two other times for Oscars. One was for the lyrics to John Morris’ signature song in “Blazing Saddles” and the other for the screenplay to “Young Frankenstein,” which he co-wrote with Gene Wilder. “Mel Brooks lights up our hearts with his humor, and his legacy has made a lasting impact on every facet of entertainment,” Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement. Littleton is probably best known for her work on “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” for which she earned an Oscar nomination. But she has been working with many top filmmakers for almost 50 years. The 61-year-old Littleton has frequently collaborated with Lawrence Kasdan and Jonathan Demme. Some of their films she’s edited include “Body Heat,” “The Big Chill,” “Swimming to Cambodia” and “The Manchurian Candidate.” Littleton is also married to cinematographer and former Academy president John Bailey. Satter at the Sundance Institute has strived to get more exposure for independent films, and taken steps in recent years to make sure filmmakers of color were getting their productions into the Sundance Festival.
“The Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans,” Yang added.
