It’s Oscar season and so many black films (12 Years a Slave, Fruitvale Station, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Lee Daniels’ The Butler) and actors are contenders this year. Someone’s bound to get left of the shortlist come January 16 when nominations are announced. Until we have to dread that moment happening, let’s take a look through strong and memorable performances by black actors either completely ignored and snubbed by the Oscars. Remember these are just 15 of the many great performances by black actors the Oscars didn’t care to nod. And there are many black movies who received little to no attention at all — including Porgy and Bess (1959), Lean on Me (1989), Boyz N Da Hood (1991) and Pariah (2011).
Angela Bassett, Malcolm X
Right before her astonishing work in What’s Love Got to Do with It, Angela Bassett played another famous, real-life woman — Betty Shabazz. Although, Denzel Washington led this amazing biopic, Bassett deserved a Best Supporting Actress nod as well. Tell me you weren’t moved by the final scene where Betty is holding her dying husband? But she was passed over until the following for playing Tina Turner, which she lost to Holly Hunter’s silent performance in The Piano.
Comment Disclaimer: Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN
