Akeelah and the Bee
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Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison. It tells the story of Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling B
Theatrical release poster
![Keke Palmer's portrayal of Akeelah was highly praised by critics, with one saying she "[stole the] movie from Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne".](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Keke_Palmer.jpg/500px-Keke_Palmer.jpg)
Keke Palmer's portrayal of Akeelah was highly praised by critics, with one saying she "[stole the] movie from Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne". Palmer's performance led her to win several awards, including a Black Movie Award, a Black Reel Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a Young Artist Award.
Keke Palmer by Gage Skidmore
Laurence Fishburne 2009 cropped
Angela Bassett
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Angela Evelyn Bassett is an American actress. Known for her work in film and television since the 1980s, she has received various accolades, including an Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, as wel
Akeelah and the Bee
…Atchison. It tells the story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her mother (Angela Bassett), her schoolmates, and her coach, Dr. Joshua Larabee (Laurence Fishburne). The cast also features Curtis Armstrong, J. R. Villarreal, Sean Michael…
Bassett at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Boca Ciega High School, where Bassett attended and participated as a member of the debate team and student government, among other activities
Bassett in 1996
Bassett in 2002