Samuel L. Jackson is an American actor and producer born on December 21, 1948. You’ve probably seen him in a bunch of movies because he’s super popular. The movies he’s been in have made more money than any other actor’s movies in history – over $27 billion worldwide!
In 2022, he got this special award from the Academy for being such a big deal in the movie world. They called him a cultural icon, which means he’s really important and lots of people know who he is.
Jackson started acting in plays back in the 1980s. He did plays like A Soldier’s Play and The Piano Lesson. He’s also been on Broadway a few times, including in a play where he played Martin Luther King Jr. That’s pretty cool, right?
But you probably know him best from his movies. He’s been in tons of them! Like Pulp Fiction – that’s the one where he played Jules Winnfield and everyone loved his character. He’s also been in a bunch of other Quentin Tarantino movies, like Jackie Brown and Django Unchained.
And who can forget his roles in big franchises like Star Wars and the Marvel movies? He was Mace Windu in Star Wars and Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Plus, he’s done voice acting for animated movies like The Incredibles.
Jackson’s been in so many movies, that it’s hard to keep track! He’s been in action movies, dramas, comedies – you name it. Some of his other notable films include Die Hard with a Vengeance, Snakes on a Plane, and Kingsman: The Secret Service. If there’s a blockbuster movie, chances are Samuel L. Jackson has been in it!
| Full Name | Samuel Leroy Jackson |
| Date of Birth | December 21, 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Spouse | LaTanya Richardson |
| Children | Zoe Jackson |
| Net Worth | $250 million |
Samuel L. Jackson’s Early Life and Education
Samuel Leroy Jackson was born in Washington, D.C., on December 21, 1948. He grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, mostly raised by his mom Elizabeth Harriett (née Montgomery), who worked in a factory and later at a mental institution. His dad Roy Henry Jackson wasn’t around much and struggled with alcoholism, passing away when Samuel was young.
Despite facing some tough times Samuel found solace in music playing various instruments in his school orchestra. He even had a stutter as a kid but found ways to cope with it, like using certain words to help him talk more smoothly.
Originally, Samuel L. Jackson wanted to study marine biology but after getting involved in acting at Morehouse College in Atlanta he changed his major. He co-founded a theater group there before graduating in 1972.
Samuel was deeply affected by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. He attended King’s funeral and participated in protests for equal rights. He even took part in a protest at Morehouse College, which got him into some trouble, but he eventually graduated and pursued acting.
During a break from college, Samuel L. Jackson worked as a social worker in Los Angeles. He was also involved with activists like Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown in the Black Power movement but his mom worried for his safety and sent him to Los Angeles.
Despite rumors, Samuel has denied being a member of the Black Panther Party in interviews. He’s had a fascinating journey from growing up in Tennessee to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors.
Career
Samuel L. Jackson started off studying marine biology at Morehouse College but switched to architecture. Later he found his passion in drama after taking a public speaking class and performing in “The Threepenny Opera.” He began his acting career on stage appearing in plays like “Home” and “A Soldier’s Play” which inspired the movie “A Soldier’s Story.” His film debut was in “Together for Days” in 1972 and he later moved to New York City to pursue acting more seriously. To support himself he worked as a night guard at Manhattan Plaza while auditioning for roles.
In 1981, Samuel L. Jackson’s performance in “A Soldier’s Play” caught the attention of director Spike Lee who cast him in small roles in films like “School Daze” and “Do the Right Thing.” During this time he also worked as a stand-in for Bill Cosby on “The Cosby Show.” Morgan Freeman mentored him during his early career which mainly featured minor roles in films such as “Coming to America.”
Jackson’s breakthrough came with his role in “Goodfellas” but he struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol. After rehab, he starred in “Jungle Fever” a role that earned him acclaim. He continued to gain recognition in films like “Jurassic Park” and “True Romance” but it was his role as Jules Winnfield in “Pulp Fiction” that made him an international star. His performance received critical acclaim earning him nominations for the Academy Awards Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards.
Jackson starred in successful films like “Die Hard with a Vengeance” and “A Time to Kill.” He became known for his versatility appearing in dramas like Eve’s Bayou and action films like “Deep Blue Sea” and “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.”
Samuel L. Jackson’s Hollywood journey has been marked by significant milestones and diverse roles. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000 and embarked on the 2000s with roles such as a Marine colonel in “Rules of Engagement” a key character in “Unbreakable” and reprising the iconic Shaft in a remake. His versatility extended to playing a homeless musician in “The Caveman’s Valentine” and a recovering alcoholic in “Changing Lanes”.
In “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” his role as Mace Windu became prominent with his unique purple lightsaber a concept Jackson himself suggested. He also appeared as an NSA agent in “XXX” alongside Vin Diesel and a drug dealer in “The 51st State.” Throughout the early 2000s, Jackson continued to diversify his roles appearing in films like “Basic” and “S.W.A.T.” as well as lending his voice to “The Incredibles” as Frozone.
In 2005, Samuel L. Jackson starred in “Coach Carter” where he portrayed a coach emphasizing education over basketball. He returned for sequels like “XXX: State of the Union” and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” and appeared in “The Man” receiving the Hawaii International Film Festival Achievement in Acting Award.
In 2006, Samuel L. Jackson was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. He starred in films like “Freedomland” and gained attention for the anticipated “Snakes on a Plane” a cult favorite even before its release. His contributions were recognized with the German Bambi Award for International Film.
In the following years, Jackson continued to expand his career appearing in films like “Black Snake Moan,” “1408,” “Lakeview Terrace,” and “Soul Men”. His association with Quentin Tarantino continued with roles in “Inglourious Basterds,” “Django Unchained,” and “The Hateful Eight”.
Samuel L. Jackson has been in lots of movies with famous rappers. Some examples are Tupac Shakur in Juice, Queen Latifah in Juice, Sphere, and Jungle Fever, LL Cool J in Deep Blue Sea and S.W.A.T., Busta Rhymes in Shaft, Eve in xXx, Ice Cube and Xzibit in xXx: State of the Union, David Banner in Black Snake Moan, and 50 Cent in Home of the Brave. He’s also been in five movies with Bruce Willis and they were supposed to do another one together called Black Water Transit.
Jackson’s involvement with Marvel began with a cameo as Nick Fury in “Iron Man” leading to a significant role in subsequent Marvel Cinematic Universe films including “The Avengers” series and “Captain Marvel.”
Jackson reprised his roles as Mr. Glass in “Glass” and Shaft in another film titled “Shaft” alongside appearances in “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and “Avengers: Endgame”.
In 2020, Samuel L. Jackson was featured in the documentary series “Enslaved” where he co-hosted with Afua Hirsch. The next year he starred in the movie “Spiral: From the Book of Saw” alongside Chris Rock. After an 11-year break from theater Jackson returned to Broadway in 2022 to play Doaker Charles in the revival of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.” Directed by his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson this role earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Samuel L. Jackson also reprised his role as Nick Fury in the Disney+ series “Secret Invasion” and will appear in the sequel to “Captain Marvel” titled “The Marvels.” In 2024 he will have a small part in the spy comedy “Argylle” directed by Matthew Vaughn.
Looking ahead Jackson is set to produce a live-action adaptation of “Afro Samurai” and will star as Sho’nuff in a remake of “The Last Dragon.” He is also lined up to appear alongside Pierce Brosnan in “Unholy Trinity.” Additionally, he will begin filming “Last Meals” in late November 2023
Net Worth
Samuel L. Jackson has an estimated net worth of $250 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Samuel L. Jackson’s net worth comes from his long and successful acting career in Hollywood.
He has starred in over 150 films, including blockbuster franchises like “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” and especially the Marvel Cinematic Universe where he plays Nick Fury. His roles in these high-grossing movies have earned him substantial salaries and bonuses.
Additionally, he benefits from lucrative endorsement deals, voice acting roles, and even producing films. His consistent presence in major films and his iconic status in the industry have made him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
Personal life
In 1980, Samuel L. Jackson married LaTanya Richardson an actress and producer. They met while they were both students at Morehouse College. They have a daughter named Zoe, who was born in 1982. In 2009, they started a charity to help support education.
Samuel L. Jackson enjoys watching his movies in theaters. He once wished he could watch the plays he acted in while he was still performing them. He also likes collecting action figures of the characters he plays in his movies, like “Jules Winnfield,” “Shaft,” “Mace Windu,” and “Frozone.”
Even though Samuel L. Jackson is bald he sometimes wears wigs in his movies. He decided to shave his head when he started losing his hair. He didn’t want to have a comb-over so he chose to shave it. His first bald role was in a movie called “The Great White Hype.” He usually gets to pick his hairstyles for the characters he plays.
Samuel L. Jackson has a special part in his contracts that lets him play golf while he’s filming movies. He’s played in charity golf tournaments to help raise money for kids in South Africa. He’s also a big fan of basketball, supporting teams like the Toronto Raptors and the Harlem Globetrotters. He’s been a fan of the English football team Liverpool FC since he filmed a movie in Liverpool. He also supports the Irish football team Bohemian FC.
During the 2008 Democratic Primary, Samuel L. Jackson campaigned for Barack Obama in Texas. He said Obama represented everything he was told he couldn’t be when he was growing up. He voted for Obama because he was black, and he believes that’s why other people vote for candidates who look like them. He’s been vocal about his political views, even comparing one of his movie characters to a real-life Supreme Court Justice.
In 2013, Samuel L. Jackson teamed up with Prizeo to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease. He also started following a vegan diet for health reasons in 2013, hoping to live a longer life. He even lost weight because of the diet. Although he mostly stopped following the diet by 2017, he still thinks it’s a good idea.
Samuel L. Jackson cares about men’s health too. He launched a campaign called “One for the Boys” to raise awareness about testicular cancer and encourage men to get checked regularly.
In 2019, Samuel L. Jackson was granted citizenship in Gabon after a DNA test linked him to the country’s Benga ethnic group. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he encouraged people to wear face masks and donate blood if they had recovered from the virus. He also appeared on a talk show to spread awareness about social distancing.
Awards
During his career, Samuel L. Jackson has won several big awards for his acting in movies. At the Cannes Film Festival in 1991, he got the Best Actor award for his role in Jungle Fever. Then, in 1994, he won the BAFTA Award for his supporting role in Pulp Fiction and also got the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead. He was even nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for that role.
In 1997, at the Berlin International Film Festival, he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor for his part in Jackie Brown. In 2021, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave him an Honorary Award for being a cultural icon whose work has been loved by people all over the world. At the 12th Annual Governors Awards, his friend Denzel Washington gave him his Oscar.
