Inside Angela Bassett's Family Life With Husband Courtney B. Vance and Their Twins Bronwyn and Slater

From an uncertain start to a lasting partnership, actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance raised twins while building a strong family life in Hollywood.

On December 16, 2025, Courtney B. Vance received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a major moment in his long and celebrated career.

His wife, Angela Bassett, stood proudly beside him, joined by their two children, Bronwyn and Slater Vance. They were there to support him, just as he once stood in quiet support when Angela received her own star back in 2008.

Courtney said he doesn't remember much from that earlier day because he was busy taking care of their young children. Still, he acknowledged how meaningful it was to now share the same sidewalk with his wife, a rare and powerful honor, especially for a married couple in Hollywood.

"If you're in the business long enough, there are certain things that you look toward," Courtney said. "But [awards] is not something that I work for and toward, because the work is primary for me, my family, doing right and living life the way that I would want my parents and our children to be proud of."

Behind the public celebration lies a deeper story. One that began years before either of them had a star, or even a family.

From Drama School to Lifelong Partnership

Their journey began in the early 1980s at Yale School of Drama. Speaking on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2007, Angela remembered Courtney clearly as "tall, dark, skinny." But Courtney admitted he doesn't remember her at all.

Years passed. Angela was performing in a play, and one of her co-stars happened to be dating Courtney. Still, there was no connection. They were simply two people moving through the same orbit.

In 1994, everything changed. They met again in Los Angeles, this time both single. They went on a date that nearly ended their story before it began. Courtney later said it was "not a good date," and Angela described him as "kind of boring," even though he seemed like a really nice guy.

Despite that rocky beginning, their relationship began to grow. Angela spoke later about how much she appreciated the way Courtney treated people, how consistent and grounded he was. These were the qualities that drew her in over time.

Their relationship deepened around their 1997 wedding. At the time, Angela was filming "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," a leading role with long hours and enormous pressure. Balancing a demanding career with newlywed life was difficult, and Angela realized she couldn't do it alone.

She said that all she had to do was ask. Courtney stepped in, ready to support her in any way she needed. That steady, unwavering presence would become a defining part of their marriage.

Courtney described their bond as something like being in a band. "Talking, communicating and allowing each other to have your own space and then come back together," he said. "It's like a rock band, The Temptations or The Stones or The Eagles."

At times, Vance admitted, it was tempting to focus only on personal success. But in time, they both saw the truth. They were stronger together.

Their commitment carried them into the next chapter of life: becoming parents. After years of trying IVF, they welcomed fraternal twins, Bronwyn and Slater, via surrogate in 2006.

Angela recalled the exact moment they met their children, "Just standing there together, you know, holding each other, with the realization that this is the moment we've been working toward, praying for, and here he comes: here comes Slater, here comes Bronwyn. He's cool, and she's like waaah!"

Bronwyn and Slater: College Life and New Milestones

As the twins grew, their creativity began to shine. In a 2021 interview, Angela shared that both children played piano and guitar and had also begun rapping. Their passion for music became clear when they watched her animated film "Soul."

In the fall of 2024, both Bronwyn and Slater left for college, marking a major shift for the family. Angela and Courtney were officially empty nesters. Courtney shared with E! News earlier that year, "My daughter's going to go to Harvard."

Slater had been accepted early to Yale University but was also considering the University of Pennsylvania. He ultimately chose Yale.

Though they now live 130 miles apart, Bronwyn said the distance doesn't make them "any less close." She believed the space had been healthy for them and their personal growth. She added that they still visited each other often and shared the same friend groups.

Angela said the emotional weight of becoming an empty nester didn't hit her during the drop-off. It came later. She returned home to a house that felt too quiet, missing the presence and energy of her children.

She described how she sometimes gets lost watching a digital frame in their Los Angeles home, one that cycles through old family photos. "Sometimes I just get caught looking at all the different stages, and you just 'oh and ah,' and I really have to tell Courtney, 'Please turn it off!' I can't get anything done," she said.

Still, she admitted this new season brought some unexpected relief, "It also gives me freedom to not have all of that mommy guilt that I used to have, getting going to work, being at work, five in the morning, coming back long after they have gone to sleep, and days without seeing them. Even though you're living in the same home."

As her children began to thrive on their own, Angela found herself watching proudly as Bronwyn stepped into her own global spotlight.

In November 2025, Bronwyn was invited to participate in Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris. Angela said she had "no trepidations whatsoever" and was "swept away" by her daughter's joy and confidence.

Bronwyn chose her twin brother as her cavalier, explaining, "I thought it would be less pressure to have my brother and built-in best friend." She added that sharing the experience with someone she trusted made it easier to enjoy such a high-profile moment.

From a chance reconnection in Los Angeles to raising two remarkable children, Angela and Courtney have built a lasting partnership grounded in trust, resilience, and love. Their story is one of strength, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes.