Courtney B. Vance - Excellence in Entertainment

Courtney B. Vance has carefully cultivated an extraordinary career that showcases his passion, talent, and intellect. Known for successfully finding the dignity and honor in each character he explores; this Harvard scholar and Yale School of Drama trained actor is a powerful presence from the theatrical boards to the silver screen. 

Courtney’s stunning portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in FX’s “The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story” earned him Emmy, Critics Choice, and NAACP Image awards, as well as SAG and Golden Globe nominations. His recent role as the beloved and pivotal character, Uncle George, in HBO’s critically acclaimed drama horror series, “Lovecraft Country,” earned Courtney an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor Drama Series, Courtney’s second career Emmy win, as well as a Hollywood Critics Association nomination and a Black Reel TV Award. He also stars in NatGeo’s “Genius: Aretha,” in which he portrays Aretha Franklin’s father, Rev. C.L. Franklin. Courtney was recognized for his performance with a nomination from the Hollywood Critics Association and a Black Reel TV Awards nomination.

He is currently starring in AMC’s “61st Street,” a courtroom drama executive produced by Michael B. Jordan and Alana Mayo of Outlier Society from BAFTA winner Peter Moffat.

Courtney’s recent films include the Universal/Will Packer romantic drama, “The Photograph,” with Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, directed by Stella Meghie, and Netflix Originals’ “Uncorked” with Niecy Nash and Mamoudou Athie. The film is a father-son story inspired by the family of Prentice Penny, “Insecure” EP and showrunner.

His debut as Spc. Abraham ‘Doc’ Johnson in “Hamburger Hill” launched a prolific cinematic career that includes historically noteworthy films such as “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” “The Adventures of Huck Finn,” and “Terminator Genisys.”

On the stage, Courtney received Tony Award nominations for his debut performance in August Wilson’s “Fences” and his starring role in “Six Degrees of Separation.” He won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his stellar performance in Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.” Additionally, Courtney earned a Grammy nomination for his narration of Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s book, “Accessory to War.”

Notably, Courtney is President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. In this capacity, Courtney continues to build on the Foundation’s legacy of providing educational resources for people who are pursuing all forms of the performing arts; promoting the children’s literacy program as an avenue to empower youth through storytelling; and leading the Foundation’s Entertainment Industry Council, designed to provide support for artists throughout their careers. Throughout the hardship of the entertainment industry shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Courtney and the Foundation’s team implemented a robust fundraising initiative, which distributed more than $6.1 million to over 6,500 SAG-AFTRA performers and their families.

Courtney and his wife, award-winning actress and director Angela Bassett, have a TV and film production company, Bassett Vance Productions, which is in partnership with ViacomCBS as part of a new initiative to give more people of color and women an opportunity to direct made-for-television movies for its Entertainment and Youth Group. Courtney is a proud Ambassador for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and currently resides in Southern California with Angela and their twins, Bronwyn Golden and Slater Josiah.