Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Courtney B. Vance Biography

Birth Name:Courtney Bernard Vance

Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Serves on the board of directors for The Actors Center in New York
Was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in "Fences․" on Broadway
Was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame for his support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Attended the Yale School of Drama to hone his acting skills
Graduated with a bachelor's degree from Harvard University
Married to actress Angela Bassett and they are the parents of twins
Joined the Boston Shakespeare Company while studying at Harvard
His favorite movie is "Blind․Faith․"
Published the book "Friends: A Love Story" with Angela Bassett
He and Angela Bassett met while studying at the Yale School of Drama

Awards

1996CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
1999Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Cable Series: nominated
2001Video Premiere Award-Best Actor: winner
2002Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Vision Award-Best Dramatic Performance: nominated
2008Vision Award-Best Performance - Drama: nominated
2013Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2016BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: winner
2016Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: winner
2016IGN Award-Best TV Actor: winner
2016INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: winner
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: winner
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie: winner
2016TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
2017Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series: winner
2017Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actor: nominated
2017Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2017Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2017Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor of the Decade: nominated
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actor, Drama Series: winner
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2021Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2021HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie: nominated
2021HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama: nominated
2021Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance: nominated
2021OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2022AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: nominated
2022Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2023Vision Award-Best Performance - Drama: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance in a TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2024Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated