Angela Bassett says the secret to her 26-year marriage is having a "supportive partner"

She told PEOPLE: "From the beginning, he was always just a very supportive partner and he continues to be to this day. And our communication continues to be strong, But it always comes back to, he's always been thoughtful about me. His core burns pure."

Courtney added: "It's kindness and support. There are no perfect marriages. It's work, it's understanding, it's apologising. Our phrase is, 'If you mess up, fess up.' If you mess it up, it's okay. Say it, and it'll be done with."

Although they did not marry until years later, Angela admitted she was drawn to Courtney, 63, at drama school.

She said: "When I met Courtney, I had known him in drama school, was very enamoured of his talents, his gift on stage, and just him as a person, just a real sweetheart, found him to be supportive.

"I always thought I was going to get married or maybe I thought I was going to have a kid by 29. But by the time I got to 29, there was no partner, and the career was taking off in a way that I had worked hard for and was really happy about."

The couple married in 1997, welcomed their twins Bronwyn and Slater in 2006 and wrote a joint memoir, 'Friends: A Love Story' in 2009.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing in the early years.

Angela said: "I remember early in the marriage you were like, 'Ah, it feels kind of unstable,' and me coming from a single parent household, what does it look like?

"Early on I was like, 'Oh, my god, it's not working.' And then he'd be like, 'No...' He's just a very calming influence. [He] puts everything in proper perspective. Just, we can work through anything and everything."