Angela Bassett is not too picky for Tyler Perry

War movie? No women need apply
In today’s Hollywood Bassett’s age and gender work in tandem to limit her opportunities, perhaps more so than the color of her skin. And it doesn’t help that Bassett can’t pick up a semi-automatic weapon to fight this ongoing battle on screen or with studio heads.

“I just get sick every time it’s a war movie,” Bassett said while rolling her eyes. “Just ugh! You all just love G.I. Joes, ugh! I just get nervous in my stomach thinking about it. Here’s the scene, you get to go home and the guy is all broken up and then there’s his wife and little children who have been there waiting. But usually women aren’t too involved, so it’s bad all around.”

Other than the preponderance of pesky war movies curtailing her work options, Bassett really has no complaints about her life or career. She’ll be 50 in August and looks 30. She loves the fact that she feels free to be who and what she is. “You’re a little more confident about what you know because you’ve lived it,” she says. She’s also thankful that the business has been as good to her as she’s been for it.

Bassett has been one of the actresses who has set the bar high. She’s made her imprint and has already gotten the opportunity to see its impact on the industry.

“Oh, I think I’ve been great for Hollywood,” Bassett said wistfully. “Hollywood’s been good for me. Dreams have come true and I’ve met and worked with the most amazing people and outstanding talent that have inspired me. I’ve brought my talent and my love for the craft every day to the set and to the characters that I’ve been blessed to be able to portray. To have them resonate with the public and across time has been a blessing — that people recognize it and remember it.

“People have been kind.”

Miki Turner is currently co-executive producing a documentary on girls and gangs with actor/director Bill Duke. She can be reached at .

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