Courtney B. Vance Reveals Secret to 30-Year Marriage

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Courtney B. Vance has shared insights into the secret of his nearly 30-year marriage to actress Angela Bassett. Speaking at the world premiere of his latest film, ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ on Saturday, May 17, Vance highlighted the importance of mutual respect and communication in their relationship.

“It’s really about when my wife is happy, the land is happy,” said Vance, 65. “So I just try to [go], ‘Does this work for you, baby?’ It doesn’t work … we’re not doing that.” He emphasized that discussing their preferences and making joint decisions is crucial.

Vance and Bassett, 66, first crossed paths as graduate students at Yale’s drama school in the early 1980s, but they didn’t begin their romantic relationship until they reconnected in New York City years later. “I didn’t run into Courtney again until 1994,” Bassett recounted during a past interview. “It was like, ‘Hey! Great to see you.’”

The couple married in 1997 and welcomed twins, Bronwyn Golden and Slater Josiah, in 2006. At the premiere, Vance proudly shared that their children, now 19, have recently completed their freshman year of college.

<p“Both of them are doing some film work,” he explained. “My daughter may major in film with sociology, and my son’s doing a lot of different things, like plays and films.” Vance expressed, “I just want them to be happy… just find something that makes you get up in the morning.”

When asked if their kids consider them cool, Vance joked that it varies by the day. “We’re usually just parents,” he said. “But when we’re on the [red] carpet, we are very cool.”

Vance is currently set to star in Disney’s upcoming live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ which hits theaters on May 23.