Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance Share Secret to 25-Year Marriage: 'It's Like a Rock Band'

Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett know that love's got a lot to do with making their marriage work. On Sunday, the couple opened up to PEOPLE about

the key to their 25-year union at the Critics Choice Awards.  "Talking, communicating and allowing each other to have your own space and then come back together," Vance,

62, tells PEOPLE. "It's like a rock band, The Temptations or The Stones or The Eagles." "Initially it was about, 'they made it,' and then 'what about my individual glory?'

And 'I don't want to get so caught up in the band and talks about going our separate ways.' And then going, 'You know what? We're better together and stronger together,'" adds

Vance. "To see those groups still doing it 30, 40, 50 years later and making even more money is just, it's a good feeling, the same thing." RELATED: Angela Bassett

Wins at Critics Choice Awards: 'We Couldn't Have Made History Without' Chadwick Boseman The Emmy Award winner has stood by his 64-year-old wife throughout her career. On

Sunday, that included watching her take home the best supporting actress award for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, almost one week after she won the same category at

the Golden Globe Awards. "A lot of times you don't know that it'll come back around and I've been there, a big supporter, letting her know that, just hang in there," The

People Vs. O.J. Simpson star tells PEOPLE. "Because when it comes around, people know what happened 30 years ago and it didn't come around for you. They know, and they've been

waiting for a moment like this to lift you up. So it'll be even bigger now because they know who you are and they want it more than you want it, if that's possible."